Opto 22 Snap IO4AB Learning Center

Learn to expand Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley Systems using Opto 22 Intelligent Distributed I/O with Opto 22 Snap IO4AB Learning Center. The system provides all hardware, software, and instrumentation required to learn how Opto 22's intelligent distributed I/O can connect to and communicate with Allen-Bradley Logix systems from Rockwell Automation, without programming.

By Control Engineering Staff July 2, 2009

Temecula, CA – Opto 22 announced released Snap IO4AB Learning Center, described as a comprehensive system that provides all hardware, software, and instrumentation required to learn how Opto 22’s intelligent distributed I/O can quickly and easily connect to and communicate with Allen-Bradley Logix systems from Rockwell Automation, with no programming required.

Opto 22 is a developer and manufacturer of Snap PAC System family of programmable automation controllers, I/O, and accessories.Opto 22’s IO4AB Learning Center was developed as a complement to the company’s Snap I/O for

Allen-Bradley Logix-based systems, which won a Control Engineering magazine Engineers’ Choice Award for 2008

. The Learning Center includes a Snap I/O communications processor-called a “brain”-assorted analog and digital modules, an I/O mounting rack, and Opto 22’s EtherNet/IP Configurator software, which is used for configuring I/O points and establishing and defining communication with an Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLC. Also included are a load panel for simulating real-world industrial control, monitoring, and data acquisition applications, and a self-paced, four-lesson tutorial.Using this comprehensive set of tools, users can configure Snap I/O to work with their RSLogix systems, including establishing a communications link between Opto 22 intelligent distributed I/O and RSLogix software, and discover first-hand how quickly and easily this is accomplished. Learning Center users can then perform basic and advanced I/O functions, such as counting and pulsing via digital input and output modules, reading scaled analog inputs and writing clamp values via analog outputs, and even configuring and running a

distributed PID loop

. Significantly, these and many other functions are executed independently, at the I/O level-hence the term “intelligent distributed I/O”-all without programming. This approach effectively frees the Logix controller from these time-critical, processor-intensive tasks and improves control system performance for applications involving process control, data acquisition, and machine control. More information about the positive impact that distributed, intelligent capabilities can have on these types of applications can be found in the two new white papers, “Expanding Allen-Bradley PLC Systems with Intelligent Remote I/O” and “Adding Process Control to a PLC-Based System,” available for free download from Opto 22’s IO4AB-specific URL .The Snap IO4AB Learning Center tools are used in Opto 22’s Intelligent Remote I/O for Allen-Bradley Logix Systems Seminars .- Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering , www.controleng.comMore about system integration ; Sign up for a free Control Engineering eNewsletter .