Rockwell Automation Expands Predictive Maintenance Toolset With Cost-Effective Overall Machinery Protection

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 2006 – Addressing the increased pressure placed on manufacturers to improve overall asset utilization, Rockwell Automation has expanded its suite of predictive maintenance tools with a new addition to the Allen-Bradley XM series of intelligent, distributed I/O modules, the XM-160 series of Overall Machinery Protection Modules. Deployed as either stand-alone monitors or as part of a broader networked solution, the new XM-160 series is a complete and cost-effective solution for detecting system deterioration, providing maintenance departments with the intelligence necessary to correct issues before productivity is impacted.As the industry’s first machine monitoring and protection system that successfully links maintenance tools into the control architecture, the Allen-Bradley XM series can be deployed on an open standard industrial bus, allowing plant engineering and maintenance personnel to continuously and cost-effectively monitor and protect critical plant-floor assets. The modules can be easily integrated via DeviceNet with other XM Protection Modules, PLCs, distributed control systems and condition monitoring systems, and display devices. For stand-alone applications, the XM-160 series includes comprehensive alarm logic per channel. The monitor also supports linking of up to two XM-441 Expansion Relay modules, providing a total capacity of up to eight relays.“Each of the new XM-160 Protection Modules measures and reports the overall vibration level between selected high and low pass filters, as well as the gap or bias voltage per channel,” said Ralph DeLisio, business manager, Integrated Condition Monitoring, Rockwell Automation. “Since the XM-160 Protection Modules include inputs, outputs, indicators, alarms and relays, they are easy and cost-effective to install, operate and maintain.”The Allen-Bradley XM-160, XM-161 and XM-162 are designed to serve applications requiring real-time monitoring of overall vibration levels. These three vibration modules deliver a simple but complete monitoring system in a compact, easy-to-install, easy-to-maintain package. Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), is a leading global provider of automation, power, control, and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A., the company employs about 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

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