Logistics Software: Rockwell Automation Incorporates More Than 30 Product Enhancements Into Latest Version of Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 Programming Software
Industry-leading control system design and configuration software helps increase productivity while streamlining controller setup, installation and maintenance
The latest version of Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 software from Rockwell Automation includes more than 30 product enhancements that help users simplify programming and configuration and ease maintenance and troubleshooting of control and information systems.
Key features in RSLogix 5000 v.16 include user-defined add-on instructions — designed to improve standardization and code reuse; and integrated drives configuration — one of the first of its kind in the industry, potentially resulting in faster setup, improved accuracy and easier maintenance of drive systems.
"With the increasing complexity of production lines and machines, the ability to consolidate control disciplines into a single, integrated environment offers considerable time and cost-saving advantages," said Ron Bliss, RSLogix marketing manager, Rockwell Automation. "Version 16 allows the Rockwell Automation Logix Control Platform to dig deeper into process control applications, while the integrated drives configuration and Kinematics robot control functions further collapse drives and motion control system programming and configuration into a single software package."
The Logix Control Platform, part of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture™, consists of seamlessly integrated control, network and visualization components designed to service a broad range of applications with a focus on scalability, ease-of-use and lowest cost of ownership. Key software enhancements of RSLogix 5000 Version 16 include:
User-defined add-on instructions — Allows users to create custom instructions that augment the robust set of built-in capabilities already provided by the Logix Control Platform — Logix PACs (Programmable Automation Controllers). Add-on instructions provide the basis for an object-oriented programming methodology where code is encapsulated into pre-validated modules that can be easily reused without modification. This allows you to create standardized libraries that can both reduce project development time and provide consistency to reduce equipment startup and training expense.
Integrated drives configuration — Traditionally adding a drive to a control system meant learning to work with a different software tool and manage separate drive configuration files. RSLogix 5000 now includes full configuration and download support for the Rockwell Automation PowerFlex family of drives. By collapsing this part of the system into a single software package, management of drives in a control system is a whole lot easier because there is only one software package to buy and learn.
Kinematics robot control — Ideal for packaging pick-and-place and other complex motion control applications, Kinematics robot control allows ControlLogix and GuardLogix users to control multi-axes robot applications. With the ability to coordinate three axes, the controller can now manage the material handling equipment, processing equipment and robot all with one software and hardware architecture. This eliminates the expenses for additional robot controllers, software, training, integration time and interlocking typically needed when incorporating a robot into a packaging application. Additionally, because the transformations are done natively in the Logix5000 controller, as opposed to custom function blocks, users need not worry about application memory usage and performance degradation.
RSLogix 5000 FuzzyDesigner — Offered as an add-on option to Version 16, this feature allows users to create fuzzy logic algorithms for use in any of the Logix PACs. FuzzyDesigner offers a fuzzy logic design environment, which helps create advanced control capabilities through a rule-based decision-making process, eliminating the usual detailed programming process. This reduces development time, improves maintainability and eases fuzzy logic control setup.
Usability and productivity — In addition to these more significant extensions, a plethora of enhancements were made to RSLogix 5000 to provide a more robust development solution. Some more notable improvements include: extensions to the Function Block Diagram (FBD) language to increase the number of blocks that can be incorporated into a sheet; user created instruction default settings for FBD blocks and Sequential Function Chart (SFC) components to reduce program development time; project automatic save and recovery reduces the likelihood of lost work; extensions to import/export so you can more easily move information between projects and even automate some development tasks; configuration options for Logix communications processing to help improve capacity and determinism; and many more. These extensions continue to improve on the already-capable environment in RSLogix 5000 by providing the tools to reduce system development cost.
Logix alarm instructions — Version 16 of RSLogix 5000 and the instruction set in the Logix PACs now includes two new alarm blocks. Both Digital (ALMD) and Analog (ALMA) alarm instructions are now a native part of the controller's execution. Included with these instructions is the ability to manage and track the alarm state and automatically store timestamp information. These alarm instructions replace custom-built application code with standard instructions that provide additional functionality. They reduce application development because they can be programmed more quickly and help to minimize errors that can occur through code duplication. System maintenance is simplified because the single instruction approach is easier understood than a block of custom code. Furthermore, these instructions form the basis for the future FactoryTalk Alarms and Events infrastructure which will provide system oriented alarm management.
ControlLogix 1756-L64 — An extension of the 1756-L64 programmable automation controller family, the ControlLogix L64 provides 16 MB of user memory, double the current maximum memory option. Ideal for applications in the process industry where more information is managed at the control layer, the programmable automation controller allows users to take advantage of larger program sizes to include such features as add-on instructions and Alarms and Events. Additionally the 1756-L64 controller is ideal for use in the ControlLogix redundancy solution. To help with bumpless controller switchover, the ControlLogix controllers utilize more memory than a standard application, the additional memory on the L64 will assist this feature and allow once again for larger projects.
RSLogix 5000 v.16 and RSLogix 5000 FuzzyDesigner from Rockwell Automation are now shipping.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), is a leading global provider of automation, power, control, and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A., the company employs about 23,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
For more information on condition-based maintenance programs, please contact the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, ext. 1971. http://www.ab.com/go/rslogix5000v16.