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News Release from: Rockwell Automation | Subject: Allen-Bradley SoftLogix5800TM Version 10
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 May 2002
Real-time control integrated with
communications
Soft controller maximises its ability to integrate with proprietary solutions and real-time control, including motion control applications.
Rockwell Automation introduces Allen-Bradley SoftLogix5800TM Version 10 soft controller for PC based control solutions This significant upgrade maximises its ability to integrate with proprietary solutions and real-time control, including motion control applications
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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New features include an 'external routines' function and the creation of a virtual backplane.
These new features expand the ability of SoftLogix5800 to communicate with, and control, a wide range of devices and applications.
The Allen-Bradley SoftLogix5800 PC-based controller is designed for applications that require very fast execution times, such as high speed, servo-based motion control in the materials handling and semi-conductor industries.
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Other applications include consolidation of the HMI and control system, or integration with other Windows-based packages for data and memory intensive applications.
The new, external routines function, allows SoftLogix5800 to incorporate and run a custom or proprietary user program, developed in another programming language.
For example, code developed in Visual C or C++, could be compiled into a Windows DLL.
The SoftLogix engine, at runtime, performs a "LoadLibrary" to invoke the external routine DLL, the code is executed via a new RSLogix 5000 routine type that is called with a JXR instruction.
The result of this new feature is faster integration of proprietary custom code and reduced overall programming resources and costs.
"Our customers wanted to integrate 'custom' written routines using Visual C or C++ and Visual Basic with control applications written in ladder code," said Paul Herron, product marketing manager, Rockwell Automation.
"With the external routines feature, instruction programs written in Visual C or C++, Visual Basic, can run on SoftLogix5800 without users having to rewrite proprietary instructions in function-block or ladder logic.
This is a significant advantage and results in overall savings on programming resources." To further extend the integration capabilities of SoftLogix5800, users also can make use of the virtual backplane incorporated into Version 10.
Using the virtual backplane toolkit, which is a licensable technology, Rockwell Automation partners and OEMs can integrate their plug-in devices or applications.
Once integrated, they can communicate across the backplane in real time to any other product using the same producer/consumer data exchange as SoftLogix5800.
"The virtual backplane becomes the preferred method for achieving faster data transfer rates between SoftLogix5800 and a variety of partner-specialty applications and devices," Herron said.
"This can include any combination of networking, integrated motion control and vision-control systems." By using the SoftLogix5800 virtual backplane, I/O devices are deterministically updated at the network RPI (Requested Packet Interval) making SoftLogix highly effective for speed-intensive real-time control applications.
SoftLogix5800 is control software that runs on a personal computer, allowing it to perform functions normally associated with a dedicated programmable controller.
Like all LogixTM platforms, SoftLogix5800 uses the Logix execution engine, RSLogixTM 5000 programming software, and the NetLinxTM open networks (DeviceNetTM, ControlNetTM and EtherNet/IP) for reduced training and development costs.
At the heart of the SoftLogix5800 system is a "virtual chassis," which replicates the functionality of a traditional PLC chassis.
Using a software-based chassis monitoring tool, users can create, configure and control processors and communication cards that make up a SoftLogix5800 system.
Because SoftLogix5800 runs on any Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000 compatible PC, users can choose from a robust, reliable industrial computer such as the Allen-Bradley RAC6180 or RAC6181, a standard white-box computer.
There are three configurations of SoftLogix5800 available.
SoftLogix5810 covers small applications, SoftLogix5830 for medium and SoftLogix5860 for large applications.
All three use the same Logix control engine and feature the same chassis-monitoring tool as the user interface for creating, configuring and monitoring system controllers and communication cards.
SoftLogix5800 is ideal for applications in which users require control on an open personal computer platform and need a high degree of information-handling capabilities, such as material handling applications. Request a free brochure from Rockwell Automation ...
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