Rapidly changing consumer demands require machine and equipment builders to reduce development and installation time while increasing machine flexibility. The Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 servo drive with integrated safety can help machine builders satisfy those requirements by taking advantage of 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 demanding motion requirements, the drive uses the EtherNet/IP network for streamlined machine safety functions. End users gain the benefit of improved personnel safety and increased machine uptime in the manufacturing facility.
“Production requirements are constantly changing for end users in the packaging, converting and material-handling industries, meaning their safety requirements may change as well,” said Mike Schweiner, product manager, Rockwell Automation. “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.”
The EtherNet/IP network allows safety signals to travel via the same wires and IP addresses used for control and motion. This eliminates the need for a hardwired safety system. Reducing overall system wiring saves time and money in installation and removes potential points of failure, 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.
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