Everything you need for EtherNet/IP

Rockwell Automation introduce a new group of products that extend EtherNet/IP connectivity to the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex range of drives, FlexLogix programmable controllers and 1734 Point I/O systems

Rockwell Automation introduces a new group of products that extend EtherNet/IP connectivity to the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex range of drives, FlexLogix programmable controllers and 1734 Point I/O systems.

They add to the already extensive range of Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP products, making it one of the most comprehensive product portfolios for an Ethernet based control architecture.

EtherNet/IP uses a common object model to DeviceNet, providing an Industrial Protocol (IP) application layer for standard TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocols.

Both EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet are maintained by the ODVA allowing similar functionality and tight integration between the shop floor and the boardroom.

Using an EtherNet/IP network and related hardware, provides users (particularly those in large enterprises), with the tools to extend the integration of the IT and factory floor networking architectures.

It also provides substantial cost savings.

There are already EtherNet/IP products for the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix controllers, Flex I/O system, PanelView operator interfaces and 6182 industrial computers.

The addition of these new products will enable users to rapidly configure an even more comprehensive system at lower cost.

Ease of desk and laptop PC interfacing, HMI software connectivity and data acquisition will continue to be significant benefits, of course.

The 20-COMM-E EtherNet/IP adapter provides an internal EtherNet/IP connection for Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70/700/7000 drives.

It provides full duplex operation at 10 or 100Mbps and allows the drive to be controlled, for example, by a ControlLogix or FlexLogix controller.

Typical Start, Stop, direction and speed reference signals, with the matching status and feedback signals, are provided as standard.

An additional 8 parameters can be configured for continuous communications with the option to access any of the remaining parameters as required.

User configurable settings on the adapter place the drive in a known state should a communication error occur.

Drive to Drive communications allow one drive to pass information or control parameters to many others.

This functionality is useful in conveying applications where cascading or speed matching is required.

Multiple drives can use the speed reference from any other drive to apply ratios to handle local speed modifications, which can eliminate the need for PLC control in the application.

This capability is quickly and easily configured using either the local keypad or network configuration software.

DriveExecutive software used to configure the drive parameters, is now supplied free with RSLogix5000 and automatically starts up when accessing a PowerFlex drive in say a ControlLogix project.

Web services are also enabled and pages can be viewed with standard web browsers.

This feature allows host and peripheral information, together with TCP/IP configuration data to be accessed in the drive.

Internet links to online user manuals and drives software tools such as DriveExplorer and DriveTools provide a wealth of useful additional information.

The 1788-ENBT EtherNet/IP module is the latest addition to the Allen-Bradley family of communication cards for the FlexLogix controller.

It provides low cost, high performance 10/100Mbs EtherNet/IP connectivity with support for both peer to peer messaging and remote I/O control.

It supports messaging and Producer/Consumer communications to operator interfaces, Personal Computers and other programmable controllers.

The card, which also supports control of remote EtherNetI/P I/O devices, occupies one of the two daughter card slots in the FlexLogix controller.

The Allen-Bradley 1734-AENT adapter provides 10/100 MB EtherNet/IP connectivity for Point I/O systems, the flexible input/output system reduces costs by allowing users to specify precisely the right number of I/O for an application.

Point I/O consists of terminal bases, removable I/O modules and terminal strip and a range of network adapters that are DIN rail-mounted and link together to meet the exact needs of an application.

The introduction of these new products means that users now have access to a complete range of Ethernet/IP enabled devices for the control of industrial systems and processes.

Investment in well established Ethernet technology combined with the superior technology of EtherNet/IP provides an attractive option for users of industrial systems.

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