Packaging
Connected Components Offering from Rockwell Automation Delivers a Simple, Affordable Control Solution for Machine Builders
Tuesday 06. May 2008 - Rockwell Automation has extended its control offering for machine builders with the launch of Connected Components, helping to meet todays requirements for sophisticated control on stand-alone machines in an affordable, easier-to-implement solution.
Combining a simple, yet powerful control core with a full suite of associated components and a dedicated set of class-leading application development tools, Connected Components gives machine builders what they need to address their control requirements in the shortest possible time.
Connected Components is built around a core of MicroLogix PLCs, PowerFlex 4 class drives and the newly developed PanelView Component HMI. With these come the Connected Components Building Blocks – essential tools that make it quicker and easier to implement common control tasks as part of the machine design. The Building Blocks include pre-written blocks of application code for the PLC that can be modified to help meet the precise needs of a given machine, pre-written HMI programs to make setting up the operator interface easier, and pre-configured drive parameter files that take the strain out of implementing speed control tasks. The
Building Blocks also help with product selection, panel layout and wiring diagrams, and with generating a bill of materials for the project.
Complementing the control core, the Connected Components offering extends to a complete suite of Rockwell Automation starters, motors, pushbuttons, sensors, safety products, power supplies and other essential control components. Freed from the need to source different components from a number of different companies in order to meet their precise control requirements, machine builders can take advantage of a single source of supply with the associated quality of the Rockwell Automation name.
With the Building Blocks, an associated Quick Start guide and a full set of application briefs, Connected Components represents much more than a catalogue of components. Instead it provides a complete, standalone control package for applications where price and simplicity of set-up are as important as power and flexibility. Connected Components delivers cost-effective solutions for speed, position, temperature, safety and other control requirements.
Steve Pethick, EMEA director of components and power control at Rockwell Automation comments: “We recognise that machine builders at this end of the market are under pressure from their customers to add sophistication to their machines, whilst helping reduce costs and shortening the time to market. “Connected Components allows them to concentrate on machine design and performance, rather than the necessary, but time consuming preparation work and structural details such as gathering documents and drawing diagrams”. Connected Components provides a just right solution in these applications.”