Rockwell marks 100th birthday at Automation Fair 2003

Staff -- Control Engineering, 12/1/2003

Milwaukee, WI–An estimated 14,000 visitors attended Rockwell Automation's 12th annual Allen-Bradley Automation Fair 2003, Nov. 18-20 at the Midwest Airlines Center. The fair was highlighted by numerous special events and displays celebrating the 100th birthday of Rockwell's Allen-Bradley brand name, as well as more than 100 exhibitors, 50 technical sessions, and 20 hands-on labs.

Don Davis, Rockwell's chairman and CEO, reported Nov. 17 at the fair's Global Media Summit that Rockwell is expecting much of its future growth in: safety, process solutions for hybrid industries, asset management, and information solutions. Davis projects that growing these areas within Rockwell's current customer base could generate $1 billion in revenue during the next three to five years. He added that Rockwell's businesses serving hybrid applications, such as pharmaceutical and food and beverage, grew at a 60% compound annual growth rate during 1999-2003.

Solutions launched and exhibited at Automation Fair included:

• Power Programming application development tool with machine control and axis routine templates.
• MobileView Machine Terminal and Guard terminal displays available with Rockwell Software's RSView machine Edition, 3.1 software, allowing direct connection to a controller via Ethernet/IP.
• MP Series food-grade motors, which allow OEMs to apply servo motors for improved throughput, flexibility and precision in food and beverage packaging and handling applications.
• PowerFlex 700 high-power ac drives, which can be used for motor control applications from 200 to 1,200 horsepower.
• RSAutomation Desktop, a Windows 2000 or .NET-served based application, which acts as a central repository for control system design data.
• RSTestStand software that allows engineers to develop and test controls systems from their desktops.

Allen-Bradley Automation Fair 2004 will be held Oct. 27-28 in Orlando, FL.