Industrial automation provider Rockwell Automation will be showcasing its scalable motion control solutions for the packaging industry at Auspack 2009, scheduled for the Sydney Showground at Olympic Park in June.
Rockwell Automation’s offerings will include a smart-belt conveyor machine which will be used to demonstrate the company’s integrated motion control solutions, where a single controller can replace the functionality of a separate motion and logic controller, according to the company.
The same machine will also highlight Rockwell Automation’s distributed ‘On-Machine’ architecture, which is designed for packaging OEMs.
At the heart of the smart-belt conveyor machine lies an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix integrated motion controller with four axes of motion. CompactLogix is suitable for small integrated motion and distributed control applications, and supports the use of multiple networks, including DeviceNet, ControlNet and EtherNet/IP.
It leverages the same control engine, development tools, network and operator interface technologies, and communications services as the larger ControlLogix programmable automation controller, which can control a whole plant with one universal platform.
The smart-belt conveyor also showcases Rockwell Automation’s distributed ‘On-Machine’ architecture. Here, industrial controls and hardware — such as drives, I/O modules and motorstarters — are moved out of remote cabinets closer to the application.
Such On-Machine solutions have been made possible by the industrial hardening of the components to IP67 enclosure rating, and by the provision of quick-disconnect wiring systems. Distributed architecture simplifies machine design and allows for better diagnostics and easier part change-out, says the company.