Powerful safety controller can save costs

The company says engineers can now scale applications up to and including SIL 3/PLe performance with 1oo2 architecture. It adds that this flexible option to right-size a safety control system to an application based on its safety assessment helps reduce design and acquisition costs. The scalability benefits of the Compact GuardLogix 5380 controllers also allow companies to create smarter, simpler and better-performing machines.

According to Rockwell Automation, the increased processing power in the controller can achieve faster reaction times and shorter safe distances. This can help create smaller machines, save valuable floor space and increase operator efficiencies, says the company. It points out that having one high-performance controller for both standard and safety control also helps improve productivity and reduce the system cost, complexity and cabinet size. And it allows engineers to mix and match standard and safety I/O in the same chassis.

Embedded gigabit ethernet ports provide greater communications capacity for smart devices, says Rockwell Automation. This can help engineers meet data-intensive smart manufacturing goals without adding extra hardware. Future-proofing machines is made possible with the availability of easy diagnostics.

Finally, the company emphasises that integrated support for certified motion safety instructions can minimise hardware components and wiring in a machine and improve ease of installation, while local safety I/O support can reduce the need for an adapter and improve machine performance.

More information is available at: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-gb/products/hardware/allen-bradley.html