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Servodrive integrates safety via Ethernet/IP

07 November, 2014

Rockwell Automation has announced a servodrive that uses the Ethernet/IP network for machine safety functions. The Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 with integrated safety is based on the company's Kinetix 5500 servodrive and offers the same high-speed coordination for demanding motion applications.

The safety signals to use the same wires and IP addresses as are used for control and motion. This eliminates the need for a hardwired safety system, and reduces wiring thus saving installation time and money and removing potential points of failure, and resulting in less troubleshooting and downtime.

“Production requirements are constantly changing for end-users in the packaging, converting and materials-handling industries, meaning their safety requirements may change as well,” says Rockwell product manager, Mike Schweiner. “Putting safety on the network eases the configuration of, and updates to, safety functions. This allows machine-builders to be very flexible with their design and differentiate themselves in these industries, providing customers the means to more easily react to market changes.”

Rockwell Software’s Studio 5000 Logix Designer software serves as a common design environment that can be used to configure both the safety system and the motion and control parameters. End-users can use the software to unlatch the safe torque-off function, program an unlimited number of set points, change safety zones, and re-use code to maintain system validation.

The new version of Rockwell's Kinetix 5500 servodrive has integrated safety functions

Users can also access diagnostic information via the drive’s integrated GuardLogix safety controller. Details on safety-related faults, such as safe torque-off requests, are shown on the LCD readout. This information can also be pulled into existing information databases and reporting systems, to deliver safety information to users, when and where they need it.

The servodrive with integrated safety is available in four sizes with peak current outputs from 2.5–20A.




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