Rockwell Automation Releases Micro800 PLC and Software Enhancements

Small PLCs fill a niche role in automation, providing control directly on a small machine center, often with simple motion and visualization devices. Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley brand provides solutions from the large-scale ControlLogix to the relatively new Micro800 series.

Easier Commissioning For Standalone Machines

The latest advancements from Rockwell Automation are designed to make the commissioning of stand-alone machines faster and easier than ever before. These updates come in the form of several different revisions to the current Allen Bradley controller firmware. The Micro820 controller firmware revision 14 in combination with Micro850 2080-L50E and Micro870 2080-L70E controller firmware, offers users a broader range of installation possibilities and uses with improved efficiency.

To use the latest firmware, users will need to make sure that the devices contain a minimum of Connected Components Workbench (CCW) software version 22 to support the firmware. In order to improve data transfer rates to both upper-level control systems or for better control for HMIs, the controllers now come with improved Ethernet capability.

The Micro850 programmable logic controllers (PLC) come with a micro-sized footprint, but is expandable with many add-on module options. Image courtesy of Rockwell Automation

Connection drop to important devices can be a major problem for some plant processes, the new firmware improvements look to improve connection drop messaging. This is accomplished through the use of Class 1 implicit messaging connection check on Ethernet/IP devices during RUN mode, which is effective in improving connection drop messaging capabilities.

Rockwell has looked to improve and prioritize user experience when it comes to automation development. They envision that the latest updates and improvements will help customers streamline their work processes with the flexibility to meet the constantly evolving small-scale controller environment.

New Features and Enhancements

There are some exciting new features and enhancements available for users that need Micro controller technology. Users can now benefit by modernizing legacy equipment, with less fear of conversion risk. This is made possible because CCW software version 22 supports the use of MicroLogix’s legacy address mapping and PCCC instruction set. It also allows users to modernize a MicroLogix to a Micro800 controller while retaining legacy communication methods.

A more intuitive design experience is made available through the use of daylight-saving functionalities and bit level commenting that help to improve efficiency and make a smoother overall process possible. These come with the use of CCW v22, which acts as a complement to the latest micro-size controller enhancements, to help speed up system configuration and project development.

There are five different Micro800 series controllers available to help users choose an appropriate controller for their intended use. The series includes the Micro 810, as well as 20, 30, 50, and 70 suffixes. The 850 and 870 are compatible with Software Version 22, which can help streamline the onboarding process through its integrated controller programming and simulation, device configuration, and visualization with an HMI editor.

Version 22 features easy programming through the use of sample code and user-defined function blocks. In addition, simulation without the use of hardware is available for program testing with the Micro800 Simulator. Integration is also simplified as a result of the single software environment to help with onboarding and initial machine development and deployment expenses. Lastly, easy visualization is created from reference Micro800 controller variables in the creation of HMI tags.