We are in the process of replacing dated Allen-Bradley 1394 motion system (single axis) with new equipment which would be esier to maintain. Please advise your experience re possible replacements which would be best in terms of performance, cost and ease of programming (converting old GML applications).

 

Depends on a lot of factors, and what little information you have given us makes it dififcult to make sugegstions.

Do you want to stay with AB?

Do you need to communciate with devcies such as PLCs?

Do you want to use existing drives and/or motors?

How simple or, or not so simple is the motion control?

 

I would look at Rockwell if you are using AB ControlLogix or CompactLogix. If you use 1756-M02AE servo module in a ControlLogix then you can look at using any of the analogue servo drives on the market. With some of the GML projects we have upgraded, we have just changed the 1394 controller to an analogue 1394 and then connected this to a 1756-M02AE. The benefit here is you don't have to change motors and you keep the axis modules that you already are using. Then again you may want to look at changing the 13934 completely as you only have a single axis servo.

Cheers.

 

>Depends on a lot of factors, and what
>little information you have given us
>makes it dififcult to make
>sugegstions............

Sorry for being too general and thanks for replies.

The application is speed/position control of a fast rotating blade for cut to length of rubber rings.

The existing system is equipped with SLC5/03 PLC, Industrial PC HMI, 1394 drive system with 1326A servo and linear TX TEC-247.

The Drive is conneted to PLC via DH485.

If possible we would like to replace only the drive and motor and transducers.

Thanks,
Marko

 

I have a lot of the 1394 GML controlled systems, multi axis though... fairly reliable system...

As far as performance there are a lot of good choices out there that would work in your application (If the 1394s could handle it... anything else probably will too)... However, you may look to improve performance by stepping it up a notch.

I will agree that converting from a GML to a ControlLogix will be the easiest approach programming wise... However, it is not necessarily straight forward... One is ladder, one is flow diagram... AB made one and they made the other so the terms and instructions are somewhat common from one to the other... So a little work to convert from one thought process to next usually isn't so hard even if you were changing brands... and as usual AB probably has a technote on that out there somewhere.

I will note AB is definitely not easy on the budget... Consider if each machine is single axis and you will require with a ControlLogix system a PLC and M02AE or M03SE card etc. You are looking at least a $5-7K adder to go with AB.

And AB doesn't currently have an intelligent drive capable of handling position applications in a cost effective single or multi-axis format like the 1394... Other than a 700S (afterthought upon afterthought with that drive though)... or unless it is a high axis count application for the CLX and K6K to be cost effective... or if you are upgrading the SLC to a CLX too... then this system looks better by the minute.

If these are truly single axis systems for cost you must go with a intelligent drive solution... Consider the Compax3 from Parker Hannifin, or the Unidrive SP from Control Techniques/Emerson... or ??? many others to choose from... ServoStar from Kollmorgen/Danaher...

Look into all the major players and pick something you like... a drive/controller that plays well with other regardless of the PLC... Remember the kid that never played well with others was never any fun.

 

Thanks B,

I was considering putting a DeviceNet card on the SLC and then going with any reliable drive manufacturer. What about Bosch Rexroth, is it too expensive?

If possible I would like to go with a manufacturer with a good range so that I can use then on other machines too.

 

I've got several Bosch/Indramat drives (DKC Series with DeviceNet) on a packaging machine, They are very realiable. Software is easy to use... Not bad as a stand alone drive but if you want something with a little more configurability I would look at their new series. I don't know that they are pushing the DKC anymore? But overall I am happy with their realiability.

I also had some DKSs that were on a machine for years with no problems... however they have been obsolete for 10 years now.

 

I would stick with AB's solution: ControlLogix5000 (or even Compact Logix, which is capable of handling 2 axes) and a 1394 digital servo drive (kinetix integrated).