Rockwell Automation Introduces Compact GuardLogix 5370 Controller
With the Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller from Rockwell Automation, users no longer need separate networks and controllers for safety and motion in applications with up to 16 axes, according to the company, making it easier to design safety into standard and custom machines. The Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller provides integrated safety and motion on a single EtherNet/IP network.
The Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller achieves Safety Integrity Level 3, Performance Level e and Category 4. When used in combination with the Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 servo drive or the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 527 AC drive, users have integrated safe torque off on EtherNet/IP.
As with other Logix controllers, engineers use the Rockwell Software Studio 5000 software to configure the Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller and develop all elements of their control system. Data can be defined once, and then accessed and re-used across different machine types to speed system development and commissioning. A single programming environment for both safety and standard control removes the need to manually manage separate standard and safety memory, or partition logic to isolate safety, according to the company.
The Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller includes dual Ethernet ports to support both linear and device-level-ring (DLR) network topologies. Built-in energy storage removes the need for batteries, and a removable 1-GB Secure Digital (SD) card improves data integrity. Rockwell Automation will release an on-machine option later this year – the Allen-Bradley Armor Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller - that allows users to place the controller closer to the application or onto the machine, which eases installation, commissioning and troubleshooting. The on-machine controller is IP67-rated for wash-down protection and includes quick-connect cabling to ease system wiring.
