Orlando, FL—To help manufacturers find new solutions for increasing productivity, Rockwell Automation hosted its 13th annual Allen-Bradley (AB) Automation Fair on Oct. 27-28 at the Orange County Convention Center. AB Fair typically attracts up to 10,000 attendees interested in working directly with Rockwell's products in lab sessions and in discovering new offerings that can help improve manufacturing productivity and address specific industry challenges.

This year's event featured more than 100 exhibitors, 49 technical sessions, and more than 20 hands-on laboratory exhibits. The free educational forum exhibited the latest industrial automation solutions from Rockwell and its partner companies, including:

• Cognex Corp.'s In-Sight 5400C color vision sensor is designed to perform a range of color inspection tasks, such as identifying motor camshafts by color; verifying the color of packages; and verifying correct position of color LEDs at electrical test stations. In-Sight 5401 is a high-resolution (1,024 x 768 pixel) version of the 5100 for high-accuracy gauging applications in automotive and other general assembly applications that require increased resolution for inspecting small objects, or capturing images of larger parts.
• Hardy Instruments' new closed-loop Tension Controller provides precision control over unwinding and rewinding in web- and strand-processing applications. At the front end of the control system, Hardy's strain gage and LVDT load cells measure actual tension in the product, which eliminates common problems found in web and strand processes, including feathering, breaking, wrinkling or blocking. While the standard Tension Controller has a dual 4-20 ma output and Ethernet TCP/IP interface, optional network interfaces are also available, including Allen-Bradley Remote I/O, DeviceNet, Profibus, ControlNet, and Modbus TCP.
• To provide weighing precision in the milligram range for harsh environments, Mettler Toledo's Modulo WMH weighing platform and WM weighing modules can be directly connected to a process control system, and are easily configured through its service interfaces, making them adaptable to unique connection requirements and operating conditions. Modulo communicates via Profibus DP, DeviceNet, Ethernet via accessory modules, and allows direct data transfer via RS-232 or RS-422.
• To connect field devices using different networks and share data among them "over the air," ProSoft Technology's ProLinx 6000 series of wireless gateways select the appropriate protocol/network that provides a connection to the hardwire device, and then convert the protocol into a common radio packet.
• Allen-Bradley (AB) CompactLogix 1769-L35CR and 1769-L32C controllers from Rockwell Automation offer integrated ControlNet network connectivity, which eliminates the need for modular communications, simplifies programming, and cuts installation and configuration costs. Also, the firm's new A-B MicroLogix 1100 controllers will be available in March 2005, and will feature online editing functionality, an embedded high-speed counter, high-speed PTO/PWM output, embedded analog, embedded LCD for I/O -and controller status, and a simple operator interface for messages and bit/integer input.
• Sola/Hevi-Duty's Solartron Plus three-phase power conditioner reportedly protects against common power quality problems by providing true voltage regulation, surge protection, and noise isolation, even through inductive and poor power factor loads. Within an input voltage range of -25% to +15%, Solartron Plus reportedly produces an output of less than ±5% of nominal voltage to maintain stable, smooth power for critical processes and production. Common voltage configurations available from stock are 20, 30, 50, and 75 KVA in combinations of 208, 480 and 600 V supply.