May 14, 2009 — Rockwell Automation introduced the Logix-XT product family for applications requiring increased reliability in high-temperature and corrosive environments, such as those found in oil and gas, wind turbine and ship-building applications. The Logix-XT product family includes the Logix-XT controller, Allen-Bradley FLEX I/O-XT products and ProSoft Technology communication modules. All products are conformally-coated and designed using hardened components suited for rugged environments, without the additional installation and energy costs associated with auxiliary heating and cooling systems.
As part of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, the Logix-XT product family uses the same programming software, network protocol and information capabilities as all of the system products, which helps end users reduce overall integration costs. Additionally, this product family operates in a broad temperature spectrum, -20ºC to 70ºC, and meets ANSI/ISA-S71.04-1985 Class G1, G2 and G3, as well as cULus, Class 1 Div 2, C-Tick, CE, ATEX Zone 2 and SIL 2 requirements for increased protection against salts, corrosives, moisture/condensation, humidity and fungal growth. The active controller components are separated on the backplane by vented faceplate segments that provide increased air flow, offer a thermal cushion, and help lower the need for air-conditioning panels.
To support the Logix-XT product family, ProSoft Technology, a Rockwell Automation Encompass Partner, has developed communication modules for its Modbus Master/Slave and Modbus TCP/IP networks. The XT communication modules emulate an input/output module on the Logix-XT controller backplane, making Modbus data appear as I/O data to the processor. These modules also conform to the EN60079-0 and EN60079-15 standards for caustic and extreme-environment applications. “As companies apply automation to support their sustainability efforts, they need products that require less auxiliary heating and cooling equipment in order to lower energy usage and carbon emissions,” said Mike Burrows, market development director, Rockwell Automation.
“The Logix-XT product family supports these reductions, as well as reduced panel costs while offering demonstrable value to alternative energy applications.” “As industrial applications reach further into remote locations of the world, the market requires specially designed control equipment to survive extreme environments,” said Ken Roslan, strategic product manager, ProSoft Technology. “Because of ProSoft Technology’s experience in providing tightly integrated network interface solutions for Rockwell Automation controllers, we are able to offer communication solutions for the Logix-XT product family as well.”
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
About ProSoft Technology
As a Global Encompass Partner, ProSoft Technology develops automation products that integrate Rockwell Automation architecture with the world’s demanding and sophisticated networked systems. This long-standing relationship allows the company to enhance and enable Rockwell Automation solutions through integrated rack-based connectivity with processors as critical components to the Rockwell Automation application.