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...
Allen Bradley introduced the Micro 800 family of controllers several years ago, and they are slowly taking over the low-end controller segment for the manufacturer. These controllers are meant for small stand-alone projects, and for OEM’s and machine builders who need a low cost but effective controller. Five series of controllers comprise this family, from the Micro 810 “Smart Relay” to the Micro 870 controller. Each series builds on the previous, with the Micro 820 and 830 series being the smallest of the two (and specialized siblings of each other) and the Micro 850 and 870 including higher functionality and capabilities. All five series in the Micro 800 family have some common benefits. One of the biggest benefits is being able to program and configure the controllers. From the Micro 820 up to the 870, onboard add-on modules allow for additional IO, memory backups, and numerous other higher feature capabilities. Except for the Micro 810, all are capable of some expansion from...
The Allen Bradley PowerFlex 750 series is part of their Architecture Class of drives, higher feature drives for automation projects. They complement the Compact Class drives (PF4x, PF52x) through additional capabilities, although at a higher cost. When looking for a drive solution, these are the Allen Bradley drives to look at when you’re saying terms such as “torque control”, “coordinated drives”, or “almost a servo application”. Both the PowerFlex 753 and PowerFlex 755 drives are capable of torque control, speed control, permanent magnet motor control, and integrated safety (through option modules.) Capability-wise, these drives can compete with any other drives on the market, and their engineering aspects can provide some excellent benefits to the people installing and using them. There are some common features worth noting in the 750 family of drives. Integration into the Studio 5000 programming environment is made easier and more straightforward through use of Add-On Profiles...
In 2016, Rockwell Automation announced an update to their small controller package in the Logix line of controllers, the 5069 CompactLogix controller family. Previously, the CompactLogix processors had been classified under the 1769 (and previously the 1768) family numbers. With the update came several changes, most notably in form factor and performance. The 1769 family of controllers started with the L1x, L2x and L3x, then continued with the 5370 series controllers. These controllers are part of the Logix line of Process Automation Controllers (PAC) from Allen Bradley and are designed to accommodate small to medium sized automation projects. Some common features of the 1769 series are dual RJ45 ports for Ethernet/IP (only a single IP address allowed), LED status indicators on the front of the processor, a USB and SD card port for programming and storage, and a program/run/remote mode switch. Options in the series allow for up to 48 Ethernet/IP nodes, 16 axes of motion, and...
Allen Bradley Powerflex 520 series drives are an innovative take on modular drive configuration. Common power structures and form factors allow for interchangeability between 3 versions of the 520 series drive, the 523, 525, and 527. Each version adds to the performance options available and allows for easy upgrading of drive systems and reduces maintenance and spares requirements. There are some common features among the 520 series drives. Common frame sizes, 0.5-30HP power ratings, 100-600V voltage ratings, local HMI’s for programming, and the ability to zero-stack and mount either vertically or horizontally are just some of the more prominent ones. The 523 series drive is the baseline drive of the 520 series. Available in voltage ranges from 100-600 volts and power ranges from 0.25-30HP, these drives include a local HMI and the ability to add EtherNet/IP capability through a dual-port accessory module, among other things. This is the baseline drive of the family, typically...
Some Allen Bradley parts are manufactured with an extra safety precaution known as a Conformal Coating. This is a thin film of polymerizing plastic which is applied to delicate components such as circuit boards, and conforms to their contours (thus the name of “conformal” coating). This film provides a water resistant barrier to protect the coated part from moisture, dust, and other environmental hazards, making the finished product much more durable in harsh conditions. Allen Bradley products indicate the presence of a conformal coating on a product with an extra “K” at the end of the product’s Catalog Number. Note: Some Allen Bradley products naturally end in a “K”. In such cases, the “K” is not an indicator of the presence of a conformal coating. You should check the manufacturer’s literature to determine whether or not the catalog number usually ends in a...
FAMILY: PanelView Standard PanelView Plus 6/ 7 PanelView Enhanced TERMINAL: PanelView 1000 PanelView Plus 7 1000E Catalog Number: 2711 2711P 2711E Through the years Rockwell has manufactured many different lines of PanelView HMI products. One of the most popular products was the PanelView Standard line of products which includes the PanelView 1000 , launched in 1998. The PanelView 1000, which replaced the PV 900 was available in both grayscale (orange) and color with both Keypad and Touch Input options. The PV 1000 (grayscale) utilized a 10.4” Electro Luminescent display with VGA resolution while the Color model had a similarly sized color VGA active matrix TFT display. Communications options depend on part number configuration but included the full range of protocols and interfaces (DH+, Remote I/O, DeviceNet, ControlNet and Ethernet/IP.) The PanelView Standard line has been discontinued by Rockwell at the end of 2012. Replacement of these HMIs requires engineering to adapt existing...
When working with Allen Bradley products, you may occasionally run across a catalog number that matches one with which you are familiar, except for one seemingly out-of-place letter: an extra ‘X’ at the end. Seeing an unexpected letter in your part’s catalog number may come as a shock, but in this case it is nothing to worry about. The extra ‘X’ simply indicates that the part was remanufactured by the factory to fix some defect. Parts with an extra ‘X’ ending their catalog number can be used in exactly the same way, and have all the same features and functionality you would expect from a refurbished unit without the extra letter. Note: Some Allen Bradley products have catalog numbers which naturally end in an “X”. These catalog numbers are usually found on servo drives, where the “X” stands for “Indexing” and is a normal part of the catalog number. In such cases, the “X” does not indicate a remanufactured...
The Allen-Bradley SLC-500 product line was introduced nearly thirty years ago. The product line has reached Active Mature status, with many modules at End of life or discontinued. Active Mature products are still fully supported; however, you can gain value by migrating to a new product of family of products. In this post, we compare the SLC-500 family to the preferred migration product family, the CompactLogix processor. When Allen-Bradley released the CompactLogix 5380 controller it boasted significant performance improvements (+20% capacity and 5-20x faster scan times) over previous CompactLogix models. This performance is orders of magnitudes faster and more capable than the SLC-500 platform. For an in-depth comparison, we will compare system architecture, memory, scan time, I/O capability and power connections. Feature SLC-500 CompactLogix CPU 16-Bit operations 32-bit operations Programming Languages Relay ladder Relay ladder, Structured Text, Function block, SFC Operating System...
The MicroLogix 1500 controller family from Allen Bradley is a PLC platform equipped with high level features and performance. This controller and compatible modules are DIN Rail mounted and of a modular type that takes up minimal space during installation. Generally designed for small and medium applications, the controller supports remote I/O function by combining with 1769 compact I/O modules. The controller comes with a RS232 Serial communication interface that supports the AB proprietary DF1 protocol (Full and Half Duplex) which can be used to communicate with HMI, SCADA and programming units. The CompactLogix 5380 controllers are part of the Logix5000 family of controllers. Similar to MicroLogix 1500 family, controllers under this platform supports DIN rail mounting and component modularity contributes to minimum panel space installation requirement. Small to Mid-size smart machines and equipment for manufacturing are the specialty of this controller family. The CompactLogix 5380...
The MicroLogix 1500 controller family from Allen Bradley is a PLC platform equipped with high level features and performance. This controller and compatible modules are of a modular type, mounted on a DIN Rail so as to take up minimum panel space during installation. Generally designed for small- and medium-sized applications, the MicroLogix 1500 controller supports remote I/O function by combining with 1769- series compact I/O modules. The controller comes with an RS232 Serial communication interface that supports the AB proprietary DF1 protocol (Full and Half Duplex) which can be used to communicate with HMI, SCADA and programming units. The CompactLogix 5380 controllers are part of the Logix5000 family of controllers. Similar to MicroLogix 1500 family, controllers under this platform supports DIN rail mounting and component modularity contributing to minimum panel space installation requirement. Small to Mid-size smart machines and equipment for manufacturing are the specialty of...
We are living in an environmentally conscious time where Sustainability movements are gaining traction and the younger generation is using social engagement to boost awareness and inspire action. We are also living in the age of AI and robotics, watching the world transform around us as huge advances are made in these fields. It only makes sense then, that these two efforts can come together to give us robots that are tasked with cleaning up the environment. Let us take a look at the companies and their robots driving this innovation. Urban Rivers, a non-profit company made up of ecologists and entrepreneurs, have created a robot to clean up the trash in the Chicago River. This robot is called TrashBot and is essentially a small remote-controlled boat that is used to collect trash and deposit it as specific locations along the river bank, where it can later be collected and sorted. Part of the appeal of the TrashBot is in the fun and gamified nature of its operation. The TrashBot was...
