Representative End User Clients
Representative Automation Clients
Representative Software Clients
Rockwell Automation released its Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 servo drive with integrated safety. The drive was designed to help machine and equipment builders keep up with the rapidly changing consumer demands that require them to reduce their machine's development and installation time while increasing their machine's flexibility. The drive leverages a single EtherNet/IP network, as well as a common design environment with Rockwell Software Studio 5000 Logix Designer software.
The Kinetix 5500 servo drive with integrated safety builds on the foundation of the recently released Kinetix 5500 servo drive. With the same high-speed coordination to meet motion requirements, the drive uses the EtherNet/IP network for more streamlined machine safety functions. The drive helps address end users demands for improved personnel safety and increased machine uptime in their manufacturing facilities.
The EtherNet/IP network allows safety signals to travel via the same wires and IP addresses used for control and motion. This helps to eliminate the need for a hardwired safety system. Reducing system wiring can save time and money in installation and remove potential points of failure, often resulting in less troubleshooting and downtime.
Machine and equipment builders can more quickly install the drive and provide customers with greater ease of use via the Logix Designer development environment and Allen Bradley GuardLogix safety controllers. In addition to motion and control parameters, end users now can configure the safety system within the Logix Designer software. They can unlatch the safe torque off function, program an unlimited number of set points, change safety zoning, and re-use code to maintain system validation, all within a single software application.
End users also gain improved diagnostics information through the drive's integration with the GuardLogix safety controller. Details on safety-related faults, such as safe torque off requests, are shown on the drive's LCD display. This information can also be pulled into existing information databases and reporting solutions already in use, to deliver safety information to users as needed.
Keywords: Servo Drive, Machine Builders, Motion Requirements, ARC Advisory Group.