Rockwell Automation (RA)

Rockwell Automation’s New FactoryTalk OptixPanel

Rockwell FactoryTalk OptixPanel Product News: FactoryTalk OptixPanel Graphic Terminals from Rockwell Automation are sealed human-machine interface (HMI) appliances that come pre-loaded with FactoryTalk® Optix and FactoryTalk Remote Access™ software licenses. This means that the device is an all-in-one solution that’s ready to run at first power-up. The pre-installed, closed operating...

What’s New With Rockwell’s Logix and View (P191)

This week I take a look at what's new with Rockwell's Logix and View products as seen at Automation Fair 2023 in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch to the Podcast on The Automation Blog: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5e-OwgpQYM?si=cIwH_l0qjTupvUyC] Listen to the...

Rockwell’s PlantPAx Control Strategies

Rockwell's PlantPAx Control Strategies: In a recent article from Rockwell Automation, an in-depth explanation of The PlantPAx control strategies was provided. These strategies are essentially routines or programs that are imported into your controller project. They take the form of Function Block Diagrams or Ladder Diagrams, including pre-configured process instructions...

Rockwell’s Network Device Library

Rockwell's Network Device Library: In a recent publication by Allen-Bradley, a subsidiary of Rockwell Automation, it has been highlighted that Device Object Libraries present a convenient solution for interfacing with Rockwell Automation® intelligent devices such as drives, motion controllers, network switches, sensors, and IO modules. These libraries are comprised of...

Rockwell Automation and Infinitum Team Up To Make High-Efficiency Low Voltage Drives and Motors

Infinitum, creator of the sustainable air core motor, and Rockwell Automation announced an exclusive agreement to develop and distribute a new class of high-efficiency, low voltage drive and motor tech. This solution is said to significantly reduce energy and costs for industrial customers. Energy conscious companies already implement variable frequency...

Rockwell Stratix 5200 Switches

Rockwell Automation announced the release of a new line of Stratix switches today. This new line, the Stratix 5200, is said to offer increased functionality and are easier to set up, configure. The Stratix 5200 fully managed switches offer various hardware configurations and features, including: Higher port speed options with...

Rockwell To Acquire Clearpath/Otto Robotics

Rockwell Automation announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs) which they consider the next frontier in industrial automation, stating that this acquisition will, "supercharge Rockwell’s lead in bringing the Connected Enterprise to life." AMRs are often used...

FLEXHA 5000 I/O from Rockwell Automation (P167)

Today my guests are Armand Prezioso and Chris Stearns of Rockwell Automation, and they bring us up to speed on their new High Availability Distributed I/O, FLEXHA 5000, in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 855099432...

What’s New With FactoryTalk View Site Edition (P164)

Today my guest is Michael Szentkiralyi of Rockwell Automation, and we talk about What's New with FactoryTalk View Site Edition in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the ""Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 846996626 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on...

New Branch Motor Control and Protection Products from Rockwell (P151)

Today my guest is Bill Meindl of Rockwell Automation and he details their new Branch Motor Control and Protection Devices in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 815594564 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on...

CompactLogix – Why Does Its IP Address Keep Changing? (qa230221)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/21/23: A reader recently asked why does his CompactLogix's IP Address keep  reverting back to the old value every time he cycles power, and I share my thoughts on that in today's Automation Q&A. NOTE: You'll find the articles mentioned in this...

Rockwell I/O and HMI Product Update (P142)

Today my guest is Mace Bittman who comes on the show to give us an update on four Rockwell I/O and HMI products in Episode 142 of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 801361470 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is...

PanelView Plus – .MER Runtime: Unable to load ActiveX control, Newer version required (qa230214)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/14/23: A reader recently asked why he's getting this error on his PanelView Plus: “Unable to load ActiveX control. Cause: Newer file version of ActiveX control required,” and I share my thoughts on that in today's Automation Q&A. NOTE: You'll find the...

RSLinx – What To Do When The Ethernet/IP Driver Won’t Find Your Device (T006)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips, I walk through how to setup the Ethernet Devices Driver in RSLinx Classic, which can be helpful if your device is not showing up in the Ethernet/IP driver. NOTE: If you need to learn how to use the CompactLogix, check out my CompactLogix...

BOOTP-DHCP Utility – Why Won’t It Disable BOOTP? (qa230210)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/10/23: I was recently asked by a community member what to do if the BOOTP-DHCP Tool/Utility wouldn't disable the BOOTP setting in a PLC and HMI, and I share my thoughts on that question in today's Automation Q&A below. NOTE: For our...

Message (MSG) – ControlLogix to PowerFlex 525? (qa230208)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/08/23: Recently I was asked by a community member if they could use a MSG instructions in a ControlLogix to communicate with a PowerFlex 525, and I share my thoughts on that question in today's Automation Q&A below: NOTE: If you need...

Migrate / Convert – ViewME (Machine Edition) to ViewSE (Site Edition) (T005)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips I walk through how to migrate FactoryTalk View Machine Edition entire projects (or just components) into FactoryTalk View Site Edition. Note: If you need help learning to use the PanelView Plus or ViewSE, check out my Five-Star rated online courses here. They come...

Micro800 – Can I use the USB Port to Read Data? (qa230202)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/02/23: Recently I was asked by a community member if they could use the USB Port on a Micro800 to connect to a third party RFID device to read data into the PLC, and I share my thoughts on that question...

FactoryTalk Linx (RSLinx Enterprise) (P140)

Today my guest is Ron Bliss who introduces us to what's new with FactoryTalk Linx and FTLinx Gateway in Episode 140 of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 797070411 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video...

CCW – How to use the free Micro800 Simulator (T004)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips I walk through how to use the free PLC Simulator for the Micro800 that comes with CCW. For the written version of this video, click here. Note: If you need help learning to use CCW with the Micro800 line of PLCs, check out...