Todd Dice (Customer) asked a question.

January 31, 2024 at 4:16 PM
Has anyone gone from A-B ControlLogix platform with motion to an Automation Direct PLC that offers the same?

Has anyone gone from A-B ControlLogix platform with motion (meaning a software environment where the motion instructions, configuration files, etc. are part of the programming software) and migrated to an Automation Direct PLC (BRX, Productivity, LS Electric) and been happy? Which one did you use?

 

I am asking as my only experience when needing multiple axis motion is ControlLogix and I'd like to know if the Automation Direct solution is as "easy" as A-B.

 

I'm trying to prepare if on my next project where multi-axis motion is needed, that I can go with an Automation Direct solution with confidence as they are my preferred vendor for PLCs, HMIs, Drives, Motors, etc.

 

Thanks!

 

PS. Automation Direct, why not a video like that from 10-12 years ago about PID, where you show a project from start to finish, with integrated motion listing all the components and the 'only" connection between PLC and servo drive is an Ethernet cable? It would sure be a help to me and likely many others.

 

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  • ADC_LSElectricPLC_PE (AutomationDirect)

    We just recently released the XGB PLC EtherCAT positioning modules. They are model numbers XBF-PN04B (4 axis) and XBF-PN08B (8 axis). They work with any of the 4 XEM CPU model numbers we sell. It supports any CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) compatible servo drive and uses normal Ethernet patch cables. We have tested it with our iX7 EtherCAT servo and a few other brands.

     

    XG5000 software is used to program any motion function blocks. XG-PM (comes with XG5000) can be used for initial axis setup. There is a position table within XG-PM if you want to use that for point to point movements. Another way to achieve that, is to use the XPM_DST function block in your XG5000 project. This will allow you to send point to point movement commands with your project code if you don't want to use the position table in XG-PM. XG5000 is free to download if you want to try it and comes with a built-in simulator for testing.

     

     

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  • ADC_LSElectricPLC_PE (AutomationDirect)

    What type of multi-axis motion are you doing? What specific information about the LS Electric XGB PLC would you like?

    • Todd Dice (Customer)

      In my case the motion is simple; it's not an X-Y table as an example. Each axis starts at A and moves to B, then return to A (think of mechanisms where we're replacing an air cylinder.). Mainly I want to see, in whatever platform available, is how the PLC connects to the drives (preferable by Ethernet, rather than having to hard wire from outputs of the PLC to inputs of the servo drive) to perform the motion. What are the parts necessary and commands in the software used?

       

      Frankly, and this is self-serving, I want to get away from Studio 5000 and A-B's nickel-and-diming BS if I can. As a favor to an OEM, I visited their customer to get a Kinetix 5300 to connect to a CompactLogix, but found out the V33.011 of Studio 5000 I was running has a known bug of not getting the Kinetix drives past "configuration mode" without coding a connection interrupt. But of course the other solution is re-upping my Tech Connect contract so that I'm "allowed" to get a newer firmware version, something I HAVE NEVER experienced with Automation Direct, software updates and technical support.

       

      The scenario was just a reminder of why I have disdain for Rockwell & A-B.

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      • ADC_LSElectricPLC_PE (AutomationDirect)

        We just recently released the XGB PLC EtherCAT positioning modules. They are model numbers XBF-PN04B (4 axis) and XBF-PN08B (8 axis). They work with any of the 4 XEM CPU model numbers we sell. It supports any CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) compatible servo drive and uses normal Ethernet patch cables. We have tested it with our iX7 EtherCAT servo and a few other brands.

         

        XG5000 software is used to program any motion function blocks. XG-PM (comes with XG5000) can be used for initial axis setup. There is a position table within XG-PM if you want to use that for point to point movements. Another way to achieve that, is to use the XPM_DST function block in your XG5000 project. This will allow you to send point to point movement commands with your project code if you don't want to use the position table in XG-PM. XG5000 is free to download if you want to try it and comes with a built-in simulator for testing.

         

         

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        Selected as Best

 

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