Rockwell delivers newest version of RSLogix 5000 software

Single development environment for multidisciplined control systems has more than 30 new capabilities, including integrated motion on EtherNet/IP and high-integrity add-on instructions.

April 1, 2010

Rockwell Automation has added more than 30 new capabilities to its Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 design and configuration software. New features include integrated motion on EtherNet/IP, and high-integrity add-on instructions (AOIs), among others.

With Rockwell Automation’s scalable Integrated Architecture, manufacturers and machine builders of all sizes only need one software package for discrete, process, batch, motion, safety and drive-based applications, said Ken Deken, vice president of portfolio management. "The new features build on the advantages of this approach, helping simplify programming and startup procedures, ease control system diagnostics and troubleshooting, and increase overall plant productivity," he said. They include:

– Rockwell Automation Integrated Motion on EtherNet/IP . Machine builders can – for the first time – access all the features and benefits of an integrated motion solution for configuring, programming, commissioning and maintaining high-performance drives, I/O, smart actuators and other devices on a single EtherNet/IP network. Avoiding the use of a dedicated motion network can help manufacturers lower system costs and enjoy the simplified synchronization of controllers and drives for improved system performance.

– High-integrity add-on instructions. New AOIs for standard and safety controllers help maintain consistency and instruction definition revision control, fulfill regulatory requirements, and protect intellectual property.

– EtherNet/IP Unicast I/O. Users can reduce inefficiencies in networking and IT requirements by allowing one-to-one transmission of EtherNet/IP I/O data. In addition, tag communications produced and consumed by EtherNet/IP can now span multiple subnets.

– Improved data access control capabilities. The updated software helps manufacturers avoid potential harm to machinery, processes or products by protecting against inadvertent data changes. New capabilities also simplify and speed HMI creation by reducing the number of tags visible while browsing the controller from the HMI development environment.

– Other enhancements: DF1 radio modem protocol broadcast support for reduced power consumption and support for several new Rockwell Automation products. The new products include the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix L73 and L75 programmable automation controllers (PACs), the Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix L43S and L45S PACs, the Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6500 EtherNet/IP servo drive, and the Allen-Bradley ArmorPoint sequence of events module.

www.rockwellautomation.com/rockwellsoftware/design/rslogix5000/

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– PLCs, PACs – programmable automation controllers news

– Edited by Renee Robbins, senior editor
Control Engineering News Desk, www.controleng.com