OREANDA-NEWS. May 13, 2016. Manufacturers are under constant pressure to increase production speed and throughput while still maintaining quality. They also are making increasing demands for smart machines. The new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5380 controller from Rockwell Automation can help meet these demands by providing more precision, connectivity and up to 20 percent more application capacity than previous CompactLogix versions.

Ideal for high-speed applications with up to 20 axes of motion, the CompactLogix 5380 controller brings the benefits of the high-performance Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture portfolio into the CompactLogix size. When combined with the new Allen-Bradley Bulletin 5069 Compact I/O system, scheduled outputs improve I/O response time to as fast as 0.2 milliseconds. Event triggers from the I/O modules provide near-instantaneous task execution.

“This new controller is particularly helpful for high-speed packaging applications where fast response times are critical for keeping production running smoothly,” said Dexter Leong, product manager, Rockwell Automation. “Features like scheduled outputs and event triggers, which are new to the CompactLogix family, allow engineers to design compact machines that achieve higher accuracy and precision.”

In addition, a dual-configurable, 1-gigabit Ethernet port supports device-level-ring (DLR) topologies or the use of multiple IP addresses. The ability to create multiple IP addresses is especially useful for manufacturers seeking to establish network separation between plant-floor and enterprise-level traffic.

Diagnostic indicator lights display the status of communications, module health and I/O module activity. This allows operators and technicians to immediately understand problems without connecting the controller to a computer. In addition, built-in system and field power terminals reduce wiring to I/O modules.

The CompactLogix 5380 controller supports enhanced security as part of a defense-in-depth approach to help protect facilities, assets and intellectual property. The controller incorporates advanced security technologies and software features, including digitally signed and encrypted firmware, controller-based change detection, and audit logging. It also provides role-based access control to routines and add-on instructions.

As with other Logix controllers, engineers use the Rockwell Software Studio 5000 design software to configure the CompactLogix 5380 controller and develop all elements of their control system. Data can be defined once, and then easily accessed and re-used across the entire Studio 5000 environment to speed system development and commissioning.