Allen Bradley has two classes of low voltage drives, their Compact Class and their Architecture Class. The PowerFlex 7x families are part of the Architecture Class of drive, with the 70/700 series being the previous generation to the current 75x series drives. First off, one note about these drives. They are the previous generation of drives from Allen Bradley, and while many of the various models are still being supported by AB as Active Mature products, many of these drives are no longer being offered or supported. If you’re looking to upgrade an existing drive and are looking at the 70/700 series, you should also look at the 753 and 755 series drives. A drives expert can help you with the corresponding drive in both families, a conversation that is definitely worth having. The Powerflex 70 drive is the baseline model of the 7x families of Architecture Class drives. With power ranges from 0.5 through 50HP, and voltage ranges of 200-600VAC, these drives can handle pretty much all but...
In the world of machine safety, most people think about the things that are out in the open – guards, emergency stops, light curtains, etc. The most important components are usually out of sight, however. Safety relays (really small safety controllers today) are the brains of the safety system. Whether they’re yellow, red, or gray, the safety relay is the component that controls how the safety system works, and is part of what makes the system certified to protect people and equipment. In the past few years, advances in technology have allowed for great improvements in these components, and new lines of safety relays are being rolled out by all manufacturers. If you’re looking at installing or replacing an existing safety relay, these new components are definitely worth a look. One important note to start this conversation, we’re talking about safety. If you’re not talking to an expert about what you’re doing, then you’re doing it wrong already. Even if you’re just going to verify...
Recently we discussed selecting a new ControlLogix platform and the questions you need to ask yourself, and the expert you discuss them with, before you choose the right controller. For some, the answer will not be a ControlLogix, but a CompactLogix platform, based on system size and complexity. This article will delve into how to separate out the various versions of this controller line and give you a foundation for the conversation about which CompactLogix controller is best for your application. The CompactLogix line currently comes in a much larger range of options than the ControlLogix. Because of its popularity and the wide range of applications it can serve, there are several legacy versions of the CompactLogix that are still (and will continue to be) supported by the manufacturer. Currently, Allen Bradley offers three families of CompactLogix controllers, the 1768, 1769, and 5069 families. Inside this, the 1769 family is broken down into the L3x controllers and the 5370...
Installing a PanelView requires forethought and planning. Once you’ve decided which PanelView fits your particular needs with size, ease of use, and protocol requirements. PanelView’s by Allen Bradley range in screen side from 2-inches to 15-inches, and keyboard options including touch, keypad and function key. Your particular application will dictate which panel type. Then you can decide whether the PanelView will fit in the space. Each PanelView section contains a comprehensive specifications document on how to install the screen. Always consult this before finalizing your purchase or installation plan. Here are the cutout dimensions as well as the terminal dimensions for each series of PanelView in the Allen-Bradley line. The PanelView 5000 series contains the 5510 and the 5310 models. These graphic terminals offer modern design and Logix Integration for easy engineering configuration. The 5510 is for larger applications, 100 screens are supported per controller and there are 4000...
Servo motors come in a wide variety of models, differentiated by their requirements and capabilities. Here are a few things to look for and which one is right for you to choose will vary greatly, depending on your application. Motor type: The motor can be either DC or AC, and this is a basic classification based on the type of electrical current that powers the unit. The ability to control speed is the main consideration. If you are using robotics, inline manufacturing or industrial applications where high precision and performance are required, the AC motor is an advantage. For simpler units, DC may work just fine. Brushed or Brushless: Motors can either be brushed or brushless. Brushed motors are cheaper and simpler to operate, while brushless motors are more reliable, efficient and quieter. On brushless units, the brushes are replaced with an encoder and magnets. AC and DC units both have brushed or brushless options. A Universal servo motor can run AC or DC power and has brushes...
Before we dive into the specifics of this processor selection guide, it is important to bring up a few points about picking a controller. While the controller is the main piece to a control system, the best controller will fail if the remainder of the control system isn’t paired properly with it. The biggest, baddest controllers will cover for a lot of mistakes throughout the rest of your system, but they’ll expose just as many weaknesses as they make up for. This blog post will help you select the highest end family of Allen-Bradley’s controllers, the ControlLogix line. But, just as the article says, please sit down and converse with an expert. Plan the system, design it according to the plan, execute according to the design. With the knowledge you’ll gain from this article and the collaboration with those people who research these things on a daily basis, you’ll have more than a successful implementation, you’ll have a control system that will bestow great benefits upon you for...
1968 – The concept of the PLC was born as the Standard Machine Controller. 1969 – Richard Morely of Bedford Associates launches the Modicon 084 Model, kickstarting the race to refine this new technology. 1970 – Parallel to MODICON was Allen-Bradley, releasing the Bulletin 1774 PLC. This was the first time the tern PLC was used. 1971 – General Electric unveils the first design of their general-purpose programmable controller, Logitrol. 1973 – Bedford Associates upgrades the 084 to the Modicon 184, the first commercial success and the first PLC designed to meet the market’s needs. 1975 – Modicon introduces the Modicon 284, the first controller with a microprocessor and distributed control. 1975 – In the same year, the Modicon 384 is released as the first PLC with digitized process algorithms for continuous control. 1977 – The Modicon brand is sold to Gould Electronics 1977 – Allen-Bradley launches the PLC2- based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor 1979 – Allen-Bradley introduces Data...
When you talk about industrial communications these days, two terms tend to show up more than others, EtherNet/IP and ProfiNet. The reasons for this familiarity are simple, these two communication protocols are two of the most common in industry. They are two of several Industrial Ethernet based communication protocols and share the market with other Fieldbus protocols as well. As Ethernet based communications are gaining market share each year, these two protocols will become more prevalent. Both protocols utilize and add on to standard Ethernet technology. One benefit to this is that, with some care in selection, Ethernet/IP and ProfiNet networks do not require specialized equipment for their infrastructure. Standard Cat(x) copper cabling or fiber optic cable, network switches, patch panels, and other standard network devices can be used to build the control network. Care does need to be taken in product selection when designing the control network. Higher capability cabling, such...
A Real-Time Clock (or RTC) is, as the name suggests, a clock which keeps track of “Real Time” That is, calendar time, expressed in Hours, Days, Years, etc. This is in contrast to the internal time keepers of many small electronics, which keep track of only the amount of time that has passed since the unit was last powered on. Some automation products include a built-in Real-Time Clock Module , but many require a separate RTC in order to keep track of time over long...
The Allen Bradley Panelview 800 family is the generational replacement for the Panelview Component family. As of July 2018, the Panelview Component family was discontinued and no longer from sale from the manufacturer, with the Panelview 800 as a functional replacement. For those applications currently using Panelview Component HMI’s, this comparison will help determine which Panelview 800 would be the appropriate replacement. The Panelview Component family debuted in 2010 and was designed for micro and small automation applications. Screen sizes ranged from 2” to 10”, with the 2” having additional function buttons and the 3” and 4” screens having options for additional function buttons. Screens were either monochromatic or up to 256 color RGB. Power requirements for the units was 24VDC and from 3.5W to 18W for the smaller to the largest screens. Connectivity was via Ethernet or serial communications. In general, these were simple, smaller, easy to use screens that utilized Panelview...
Sometimes you will come across two Allen Bradley servo motors which seem identical except for one feature: one motor is marked “shaft key” and the other is marked “smooth shaft”. This can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with the terminology. So what is a shaft key? A Shaft Key is a small element used in a joint to connect the motor more securely to a shaft, preventing the two elements from rotating relative to each other, and allowing torque transmission. The shaft key sits in a small slot cut in each shaft, which is called a keyway or keyseat. Usually the presence of a shaft key is designated in the Catalog Number by position 8 on the catalog number chart, as shown below. In the highlighted Position #8: “J” indicates the presence of a shaft key, “K” indicates a smooth shaft. A Shaft Key is a small element used in a joint to connect the motor more securely to a shaft, preventing the two elements from rotating relative to each other, and allowing torque transmission. The shaft key...
While Allen Bradley is most well-known for its Logix controllers, their PowerFlex drives have also been a large contributor to their growth in the automation market. Currently, the PowerFlex 520 and 750 series are the primary offerings for Allen Bradley drives but the PowerFlex 4/40/400 series is still supported by Rockwell and still is a great choice for certain applications. The PowerFlex 4 series is one of Allen Bradley’s low-cost, no-frills drive offerings, with the PowerFlex 4M drive being the primary offering in this group. With power ratings of up to 5HP in the PowerFlex 4 and 15HP in the 4M, these drives offer simple setup and control in a compact package with a low cost. The main features of this series are feed-through wiring on the 4M, volts per hertz control, and RS-485 communications (with others available through optional modules.) This drive series is a standard offering on most OEM delivered machines, based on the cost for performance. The feed through wiring...
With the current trend in machine safety being moving towards integrated control and safety functions, Allen Bradley (like most other major suppliers) offers two versions of its main control platforms, the Logix line of controllers. Based on application size and complexity, facilities will use either the CompactLogix or ControlLogix controller platforms for control. Adding safety features onto these controllers, Allen Bradley offers the Compact GuardLogix and GuardLogix (ControlLogix) functional safety rated controllers. As these controllers are updated and improved, there have been several generations of safety rated controllers. With a future trend towards integrating data, safety, and control into one unit for increased productivity, we will continue to see improvements, both evolutionary and revolutionary. The ControlLogix (1756 family) and CompactLogix (1768, 1769, and 5069 families) Programmable Automation Controllers are the primary controllers in Allen Bradley’s offering. The...
The Kinetix family of Motion drives is broken up into several series, each with different focuses. The Kinetix 6000 and its descendant 6200 series are both multi-axis systems utilizing the SERCOS interface for control. Generational improvements in the 6200 series include advanced safety options and a more modular design. Beyond these generational improvements the 6000 and 6200 series are very similar, as the 6200 is designed as a straightforward replacement for 6000 series drives. The Kinetix 6000 series motion drive is a modular, multi-axis, compact servo drive system that reduces required wiring and programming. It’s rated for 1.2 through 22 kW power output, and two nominal voltages – 240VAC and 480VAC in 3 phase configurations. Built-in hardwired Safe Torque Off is available, giving a PLd, SIL3 certification. The feature that separates the 6000 series from its predecessors is the SERCOS communications protocol, a system utilizing fiber optic hardware and high-performance...
The Kinetix 300 and Kinetix 350 are both parts of Allen Bradley’s Kinetix Motion Control Family. Both components are motion drives, and they’re very similar in functionality, with some significant exceptions. Both the Kinetix 300 and Kinetix 350 are single axis motion drives. Both drives have been positioned as a low-cost solution for simple motion applications. Both drives accept either 120VAC, 240VAC, or 480VAC input power, and provide between 0.4 and 3.0 KW of output power. Both drives have a 2.0 – 12.0 amp continuous rated output current for all voltage ranges. Control is via Ethernet/IP with supplemental digital inputs. Both drives can run 240 volt motors at full speed using 120VAC input power. Basically, on the power side of the drives these drives are the same. Both drives utilize functional safety techniques, with Safe Torque Off functionality built in giving them a PLd or SIL2 rating. The differences on the control side for each drive are significant. Both the Kinetix 300 and...
