Rockwell Unveils Ethernet/IP Indexing Servo Drive

The new Allen-Bradley Kinetix 300 Ethernet/IP indexing servo drive from Rockwell Automation enables machine builders and end users to standardise on a single communication network. This is intended to facilitate commissioning, configuration and start-up. With the new drive, the entire control solution - including the human-machine interface, programmable automation controllers, input/output and motion - can be connected over a standard Ethernet/IP network.

According to James Grosskreuz, product manager at Rockwell Automation, the Kinetix 300 servo drive can eliminate the need for a dedicated motion network while maintaining high-speed connectivity with excellent reliability. With the ability to support up to five indexing types and 32 indices, the Kinetix 300 servo drive is suitable for indexing tables, intermittent horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal machines and simple sleevers, case packers and erectors.

By combining the Kinetix 300 servo drive with the Allen-Bradley MP-Series or Allen-Bradley TL-Series motors, along with the Allen-Bradley Compactlogix L23 or Compactlogix L32 controller, the company now delivers an option for machines that demand the power of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system in a cost-effective package for low-axis-count motion solutions. The drive can work with an Allen-Bradley Micrologix processor to help deliver a cost-effective component machine-level solution. The Kinetix 300 drive features seamless integration with Rockwell Software's RSLogix 5000 through a Kinetix 300 add-on profile.

It also has drive-based web configuration tools. As a result, machine builders do not need to learn, load or maintain dedicated motion software. To help protect personnel and increase productivity, the Kinetix 300 servo drive also comes equipped with safe torque-off functionality. With the safe-off capability, tasks such as machine setup, cleaning, the removal of jams and other typical maintenance work that previously required power-down conditions can now be accomplished without removing power from the entire machine.

Instead, drive output can be safely disabled, enabling faster machine restart and shorter machine downtime, according to Rockwell. Components such as input contactors are not required, simplifying machine design and helping reduce both panel space requirements and overall system costs. The Kinetix 300 servo drive features a compact size and has the available voltage and power ranges to meet a range of global machine requirements, including applications in the packaging, alternative energy and manufacturing and assembly industries.

Rockwell Releases Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI

Rockwell Automation's Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI software provides data from web-based dashboards and reports on key performance indicators from multiple manufacturing and business-data sources. Manufacturers can better monitor and manage productivity in real time and make more insightful decisions about business priorities, such as product quality, equipment utilisation and global supply-chain management to help reduce costs.

The Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI software connects to multiple data sources - real-time, historical, relational and transactional - to create a single resource that can access, aggregate and correlate information via a web browser. The new application is based on a unified production model (UPM) that provides a unified view of seemingly disparate manufacturing data and gives a context for relationships among equipment, product, materials and people. The UPM organises various manufacturing and enterprise data using commonly referenced business terms such as equipment, batches or manufacturing lots.

Access to this information improves decision-making for the manufacturing environment - from inventory to maintenance, quality to production, all the way through the enterprise, including the supply chain. The new business-intelligence software allows users to report data through a variety of tools, including Microsoft Excel, Trend and SAP Business Objects Dashboard Builder, and view it through the Factorytalk Vantagepoint software, Microsoft Sharepoint and other portals. The Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI is the second application from Rockwell Automation to leverage technology it acquired from Incuity Software - the first edition, Factorytalk Vantagepoint, was announced in 2008.

Both editions combine data produced by the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system and other third-party production systems to provide a single access point for information that can help make better manufacturing decisions. With two versions now available, manufacturers can select the most appropriate feature set for their needs.

The new application can be used to address single or multiple manufacturing problems, on one manufacturing line or across a global enterprise. In addition, the Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI software can be used to address specific manufacturing needs such as downtime reporting, status tracking or multiple control-system reporting. The software can also be bundled with services to provide a complete solution to satisfy unique vertical market needs.

Rockwell Paper Highlights Arc-Flash Dangers

A new white paper from Rockwell Automation highlights the dangers of arc flash. The paper discusses the standards guiding arc-flash safety and details the role that arc-resistant motor-control centres (MCCs) play in helping to contain arc energy and reduce hazards.

'Advances in low-voltage MCC technology help reduce arc-flash hazards and minimise risks' discusses how changing industry standards are putting more focus on arc-flash risks and highlights the key features and components of an effective arc-resistant MCC design. The paper stresses the importance of understanding the performance criteria that must be met before an MCC can be classified as an arc-resistant design.

According to the paper, an arc-resistant MCC is designed and built to provide a complete structural solution in accordance with defined industry standards. Arc-resistant equipment is designed to minimise arc-flash exposure by extinguishing the arc, controlling the spread of the arc or channelling the arc pressure and energy away from personnel.

Rockwell Publication Discusses HVAC Benefits

A white paper from Rockwell Automation details how facility managers and owners can reduce energy consumption and maximise savings with HVAC control upgrade technology. The paper outlines a new option to help convert constant-volume HVAC systems to variable-air-volume (VAV) control, while avoiding the cost and complexity associated with changing mechanical or building automation-control systems.

The white paper, 'Leveraging the Power of Intelligent Motor Control to Maximize HVAC System Efficiency', describes the technology behind this upgrade option, outlines the cost-saving benefits and breaks down a food manufacturer's payback as an example. By adjusting fan speeds, the upgrade option helps facility managers reduce energy consumption and building owners reap payback in a relatively short time - often less than a year.

The upgrade option helps building owners avoid redesign and capital investments associated with new systems. Designed as a self-contained unit for easy installation, the integrated control solution is said to deliver more energy savings at a fraction of the cost of a traditional hardware retrofit. The unit includes temperature and carbon-dioxide sensors, a microcontroller, a high-performance variable-frequency drive and a touch-screen operator interface.

Rather than cycling between constant speed and off, HVAC fans controlled by the variable-frequency drive automatically adjust in response to heating or cooling needs. Jenalea Howell, market analyst, IMS Research, said: 'HVAC systems typically constitute a large amount of a building's operating costs, so it makes business sense to upgrade HVAC systems as efficiently as possible, without being forced to reconfigure an existing system.