In the dynamic landscape of industrial automation, the demand for robust and adaptable solutions has never been greater. Among the innovations reshaping the industry, Rockwell Automation suite of products stands out as a testament to ingenuity and versatility. In this article, we explore key offerings, each addressing specific industrial needs—ranging from distributed I/O solutions and embedded edge compute modules to fault-tolerant I/O for process users, isolated analogue HART modules, on-machine industrial PCs, and cutting-edge HMI terminals. Join us on a journey through the features and capabilities that make these solutions indispensable in diverse sectors, promising efficiency, reliability, and adaptability.
Rockwell Automation FLEX 5000 I/O is a pinnacle of versatility, designed to excel in process, hybrid, and discrete applications across a range of industries. Boasting a rugged build and flexible architecture, this distributed I/O solution stands out with support for up to 16 modules per adapter, allowing seamless scalability. Its unique ability to mix and match standard and safety I/O modules within the same rack, coupled with compatibility for HART V5, V6, and V7, ensures adaptability to diverse industrial needs.
With a wide operating temperature range, a robust 1 Gb backplane, and integration with PlantPAx 5.0, it optimizes footprint, reduces engineering time, and enhances uptime. Offering installation flexibility, real-time device health monitoring, and safety certification up to SIL, Ple, Cat. 4, the FLEX 5000 I/O is an ideal solution for Oil and Gas, Mining, Chemical, Life Sciences, Metals, Food and Beverage, Water/Wastewater, and Power Generation industries. In summary, it's a compact powerhouse, delivering efficiency, reliability, and adaptability across the industrial spectrum.
Introducing the Embedded Edge Compute Module, a versatile solution designed for seamless visual data processing both locally and remotely. Driven by the potent NXP iMX8M Plus processor, this module comes pre-installed with FactoryTalk Optix and FactoryTalk Remote Access, ensuring robust connectivity to REST API, OPC UA, and MQTT. Boasting scalable features, including the ability to process visual data in various sizes, it caters to industries such as consumer packaging, food and beverages, life sciences, and automotive.
Its tech specs showcase a performance-oriented architecture, featuring 4GB of RAM, 20GB of eMMC storage, and connectivity options like 2x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports and 1x USB 3.0 interface. With a user memory of 32GB via microSD and operating on Linux Yocto 64-bit, it includes FactoryTalk Optix Runtime Xtra-Small, FactoryTalk Remote Access Runtime Pro, and optional license upgrades. The Embedded Edge Compute Module stands as an adaptable solution, meeting the evolving needs of industries through its efficient and scalable visual data processing capabilities.
The FLEXHA 5000 I/O stands as a dedicated solution tailored for process users, delivering fault-tolerant I/O capabilities and marking Rockwell Automation foray into Universal I/O technology. This versatile offering provides fault-tolerant I/O deployment options, allowing for both single simplex configurations or fault-tolerant pairs. Notably, it represents Rockwell Automation first I/O family supporting Universal I/O, featuring programmable versatility with software configuration by channel, enabling analogue, discrete, input, or output functionalities. Catering specifically to process industries, oil and gas, mining, and life sciences, the FLEXHA 5000 I/O ensures channel isolation and HART connectivity.
It seamlessly accommodates standard and safety I/O on the same rack, synergizing with the latest L8 family of controllers, encompassing ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers. The tech specs reveal a powerhouse, featuring a single card capable of delivering AI/Ao (with HART) and DI/DO by the channel through online or offline software configuration. With 9 isolated channels, sinking and sourcing for HART, 16-bit DAC/ADC, CIP sync support, channel time stamps, and simplified wiring, it offers flexibility configured for simplex or duplex operations.
Not only does it reduce inventory for spare parts, but it also streamlines project efficiency by minimizing the number of spares required. Ideal for process industries, oil and gas, mining, and life sciences, the FLEXHA 5000 I/O emerges as a fault-tolerant powerhouse, ensuring reliability and efficiency in diverse industrial settings
The Compact 5000 Isolated Analog HART Module is meticulously crafted for enhanced process control in applications such as water and wastewater management, process skids, filtration, mixing and blending, and oil and gas pump stations. Offering both input and output analogue I/O versions, this module facilitates HART communications and ensures channel isolation for process users.
Key features include 4-channel-to-channel isolated input and output modules, minimizing parasitic effects and eliminating the need for field isolation barriers. It streamlines engineering processes by seamlessly integrating with PlantPAx 5.0 and above instruction sets.
Introducing a new Logix Feature – High Integrated HART (HIH), providing visible access to HART devices, a dedicated HART bus in the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application I/O configuration tree, device connection fault status representation in the I/O tree, and the ability to add and replace HART devices online. The tech specs reveal a versatile module supporting various analogue input and output configurations, ensuring flexibility and accuracy in process control applications
The 6300PA On-Machine Industrial PC stands out with its sleek and self-enclosed design, delivering not only an intuitive and ergonomic user experience but also substantial savings in installation costs. Available in screen sizes ranging from 15.6" to 24", this industrial PC caters to consumer packaging, food and beverage, automotive, and automatic assembly applications. Its key features include a cost-effective and space-saving self-enclosed design, an optional 'button bar' accommodating up to 13 different 22mm pilot devices, and compatibility with FactoryTalk Optix, FactoryTalk Remote Access, and other Windows and Linux applications.
The multitouch PCAP screen supports gestures like swipe, pinch, and zoom, enhancing user interaction. With optional Remote Video Link (RVL) capabilities, it allows connection to an RVL-compatible 6300M industrial monitor up to 100m away. The 6300PA provides a comfortable line-of-sight experience with critical process equipment. Tech specs include screen sizes from 15.6" to 24", full HD resolution, IP65 ingress protection, VESA 75/100 mounting, and a range of handle options. Equipped with dual-core Celeron and i5 Intel Core 7th generation 15W Intel Kaby Lake CPUs, it blends functionality with style in a compact and efficient package.
Rockwell Automation introduces the OptixPanel Standard and OptixPanel Compact families of HMI terminals, offering an open-ended design environment through FactoryTalk Optix. Complementing rather than replacing PanelView solutions, these terminals provide a collaborative development platform with integrated version control and feature a token-based licensing model. Ideal for consumer packaging, life sciences, semiconductor, and wastewater treatment industries, they present a computer-like user experience in a sealed appliance package, reducing the total cost of ownership and enhancing competitiveness.
FactoryTalk Remote Access facilitates global deployment and support. In contrast, fundamental drivers for non-RA controllers and support for open standards like OPC UA and MQTT enable diverse landscapes and cloud connectivity. Scripting in C# adds productivity at both design and runtime. With screen sizes ranging from 7" to 21.5" for OptixPanel Standard and 10.1" to 15" for OptixPanel Compact, they offer various touch types and ports, ensuring deployment versatility. The OptixPanel series embraces an innovative approach, aligning with industry demands for flexibility, efficiency, and collaborative development.
Rockwell Automation introduces hygienic solutions for harsh environments with the Stainless-steel PanelView graphic terminals, now available in 10" and 15" screen sizes. Ideal for consumer packaging, food and beverage, water/wastewater treatment, and paper processing industries, these terminals feature IP69K ingress protection, ensuring resilience against high-pressure washdown.
The stainless-steel versions of PanelView Plus 7 Performance and PanelView 5510 join the existing lineup, offering a comprehensive array unmatched by other HMI providers. Key features include the absence of harbouring points for bacteria, a field-replaceable food-grade gasket for easy observation and removal of build-up, and the capability to withstand direct washdown with high-pressure streams, eliminating the need for protective covers.
Technical specifications include IP69K ingress protection with 316 stainless bezels, specialized mounting hardware and backing plate for increased panel stiffness, conformal coating for long-term performance in moist environments, and a polymer touch screen for hygiene and compatibility with FactoryTalk View Machines Edition and Logix View Designers.
The upgraded 6181X Hazardous Location Industrial PC is a robust solution designed to thrive in challenging environments such as oil and gas, shipboard/offshore, water/wastewater, and mining/cement industries. Equipped with an Intel i3-1115GRE Dual Core processor from the 12th Generation Tiger Lake series, this industrial PC offers enhanced system performance. With a sunlight-readable 1300 NIT 12" LCD featuring a sun shield, it excels in outdoor applications.
The hazardous location certifications, including IECEx, cUL Class 1 Division 2, Class 1 Zone 2, ATEX, UK Ex, and CCC Ex, enable global deployments. Key features include Trusted Platform Module (TPM) options for enhanced cybersecurity, ThinManager-Ready NIOS support, and a multi-touch PCAP screen for an intuitive user experience. The tech specs encompass a range of memory and storage options, multiple ports, and an operating temperature range from -20°C to +70°C, making it adaptable to various harsh conditions.
Rockwell Automation latest PlantPax release, version 5.3, reaffirms the commitment to plant-wide automation, specially tailored for heavy and hybrid industries. Geared towards consumer packaging, metals/mining/cement, chemical/oil and gas, and pulp and paper sectors, this release introduces a host of features to cater to continuous and batch applications, ranging from simple to more complex operations.
Key highlights include remote operations centre characterization, OPC UA updates for an open and secure architecture, enhanced HMI framework navigation, and improved I/O capabilities for high availability and reduced engineering time. The release emphasizes plant-wide control, open scalability, process and power integration, and comprehensive lifecycle management. It ensures a consistent user experience across the entire plant, enhancing overall security posture, operational awareness, and adaptability to growth and changes. PlantPax Release 5.3 continues to be a robust solution for industries seeking sustained production and replicable efficiency across plants or sites.
As we conclude our exploration of Rockwell Automation diverse product portfolio, it becomes evident that the FLEX 5000 I/O, Embedded Edge Compute Module, FLEXHA 5000 I/O, Compact 5000 Isolated Analog HART Module, 6300PA On-Machine Industrial PC, OptixPanel Standard and OptixPanel Compact, Stainless-steel PanelView, Upgraded 6181X Hazardous Location Industrial PC, and PlantPax Release 5.3 collectively represent a new era in industrial automation.
These innovations embody not only technological prowess but also a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of various industries. From ruggedness and adaptability to fault tolerance and enhanced process control, these solutions redefine efficiency, reliability, and user experience. Rockwell Automation relentless pursuit of excellence continues to strengthen plant-wide automation, ensuring a seamless integration of technology and industry for sustained production and replicable efficiency across diverse settings.
