- Rockwell Automation’s Programmable Automation Controllers
Most industrial automation vendors offer modern Programmable Controllers, but not all of them brand their products as PACs.
Take Siemens for instance: You’d be hard pressed to find a PAC feature their S7 line of controllers doesn’t support, and yet they still refer to them as PLCs.
That said, when Rockwell Automation released their next generation of ...
Read more... - Seven Things New Users Need To Know About ControlLogix
In today’s article I’m going to share what I’ve found have been the most important things new users must know about ControlLogix before they start using these programmable controllers for the first time.
After reviewing the list, if you think something should be added or removed, please feel free to share your thoughts in the “comments ...
Read more... - Seven Things You Need To Know Before Using ControlLogix
It’s easy to forget that not everyone has used Rockwell’s ControlLogix.
In fact, I was just reminded of this last week when I needed to review the below list of basics with a client:
1) Each new ControlLogix controller needs to have firmware downloaded to it.
Every time you open up a new ControlLogix, you’ll find a controller with essentially no firmware. So your first ...
Read more... - Learn about CompactLogix and ControlLogix hardware (M2E26)
Learn about the CompactLogix and ControlLogix hardware in episode 26 of The Automation Minute Season 2:
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Read more... - Multiple ControlLogix Controllers? (M5E31)
I discuss a reader’s question about having Multiple ControlLogix Controllers in a chassis in this episode of The Automation Minute.
The Automation Minute, Season 5 Episode 31 Show Notes:
Episode Links:
– Article and Discussion: https://theautomationblog.com/can-multiple-logix-plcs-control-ethernet-io/
Join our new community at Automation.Locals.com!
Become part of our community to take part in the Q&A as well as get early access to many ...
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-L1 5550 (M2E43)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-L1 5550 in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 43:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-L55 5555 (M2E44)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-L55 5555 in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 44:
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Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-L6x/A 5560 (M2E45)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-L6x/A 5560 in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 45:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-L6x/B 5560 (M2E46)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-L6x/B 5560 in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 46:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-L7 5570 (M2E47)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-L7 5570 in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 47:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - Price Comparison: 1756-L8 vs 1756-L7
In today’s article we review how Rockwell’s new 1756-L8xE (5580) line of processors stack up price wise with the 1756-L7x (5570) series.
Since Rockwell released its new 5580 processors (1756-L83E, 1756-L85E,) we’ve been receiving regular updates from our readers about the 5580’s increased performance, as well as potential new firmware and software bugs (thanks to everyone ...
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-DHRIO (M2E48)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-DHRIO in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 48:
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Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-DNB (M2E49)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-DNB in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 49:
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Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-CNB (M2E50)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-CNB in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 50:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-ENBT (M2E51)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-ENBT in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 51:
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlLogix 1756-EN2T (M2E52)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756-EN2T in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 52:
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Read more... - ControlLogix 1756 I/O (M2E53)
Learn about the ControlLogix 1756 I/O in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 53:
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Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Programming Software (M2E27)
Learn what versions of RSLogix and Studio 5000 support the CompactLogix and ControlLogix in episode 27 of The Automation Minute Season 2:
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Read more... - RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000 Logix Designer
To program a CompactLogix or ControlLogix controller you’re going to need a copy of Studio 5000 Logix Designer, which was formerly known as RSLogix 5000 prior to the version 21 release:
If you don’t have a copy, you can purchase it using this link to Rockwell’s new online software portal, however when you first visit that site ...
Read more... - Studio 5000 Pricing, Packages, Features & Bundles
In today’s article I’m going to take a detailed look Studio 5000 pricing, available packages and bundles, and what features are included with each as it stands today.
Studio 5000 Mini: Ladder Logix only for CompactLogix only
The “Mini” edition of Studio 5000 Logix Designer only programs the “CompactLogix” family of controllers, and only in the “Ladder Logic” ...
Read more... - FactoryTalk Logix Echo from Rockwell (P85)
My guest this week is Brad Prosak of Rockwell who introduces us to FactoryTalk Logix Echo in Episode 85 of The Automation Podcast.
For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video.
Watch the Podcast:
Listen via Apple, Google, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, YouTube, RSS, or below:
The Automation Podcast, Episode 85 Show Notes:
Special thanks to ...
Read more... - ControlLogix Simulator: Learn to Program with All-In-One PAC, IO, RSLogix, and Application Simulation (D009)
Learn how to program ControlLogix and CompactLogix applications without having to buy thousands of dollars of hardware and software in Episode 9 of The Automation Demo (originally episode 5 of Automation Tech Tips.)
For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video.
The Automation Demo Episode 9 Show Notes (originally Tech Tips Episode 5:)
To grab ...
Read more... - Rockwell Patch Rollup – How To Download and Install (2022)
Generally, when I am loading software on a computer, that computer is not used for a single purpose and I download many types of programming software, third party programs like Sublime Text or Putty, and other programs that I will use to configure specific instruments or controls.
In the Rockwell world, I might have installed many ...
Read more... - Studio 5000 – Resolve .Net Framework 3.5 Is Not Installed
If you’re seeing a “.Net Framework 3.5 Is Not Installed” error when trying to install Studio 5000, follow these simple steps to get it installed:
Step 01) Start by opening Windows Control Panel:
Step 02) Next open Programs and Features:
Step 03) Then click on Turn Windows features on or off
Step 04) When the popup window loads, find and select .Net Framework ...
Read more... - Studio 5000 – Resolve Error Due To Missing .Net (M4E29)
In this episode I discuss how to add .NET Framework 3.5 so you can install Studio 5000 (Episode 29 of The Automation Minute Season 4:)
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Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - Studio 5000 – Resolve Fatal Application Error Encountered
As I was prepping to film additional lessons for my CompactLogix course yesterday, I ran into a completely new Studio 5000 Logix Designer “Fatal Error” that I hadn’t run into before.
After I duplicated the issue on two different PCs, each running two different Windows 10 VMs, I was convinced something was wrong with the software ...
Read more... - Studio 5000 – Resolve .Net Framework 3.5 Installation Error 0x80D05001
I cannot count the number of times I have installed RSLogix 5, 500, 5000 or Studio 5000 software over the last twenty years. Sometimes I can install it on different (but identical) computers and have a different experience.
Each install can be a different adventure and this one is no different. I have run into .Net ...
Read more... - System Design – How To Download Integrated Architecture Builder (2022)
In today’s article I walk you through how to find and download Rockwell’s free Integrated Architecture Builder (IAB) software, updated for the Summer of 2022.
1) Start by navigating your web browser to www.ab.com:
2) Once there, select “Integrated Architecture Builder” which is under Support – Product Support:
3) From this page select “Product Selection Toolbox”:
4) Then fill ...
Read more... - System Design – Selecting Components For A ControlLogix System
You’ve been asked to put together a bill of materials for a control system based on Rockwell’s ControlLogix architecture, and after spending some time on the Rockwell website you might feel like your drinking from a firehose.
Rest assured, you are not alone.
Since before the first web browser was invented (BBS FTW!) I’ve had the ...
Read more... - System Design – Estimating The Capacity Of A ControlLogix System
Last week I covered how to quickly put together a ControlLogix system BOM using IAB.
Today I’ll walk you through two ways you can use the same software to to insure your design does not exceed the capacity of the controller you’ve selected.
In the above image you can see a ControlLogix system I build for a ...
Read more... - System Design – How To Use Rockwell’s New Ethernet/IP Capacity Tool
In today’s article I’ll show you how to use Rockwell’s new Ethernet/IP Capacity Tool.
The replacement for Rockwell’s discontinued Ethernet/IP Capacity Tool can now be found inside of Integrated Architecture Builder (IAB.)
Note: To learn how you can get a free copy of IAB, check out my previous article HERE.
To access the new tool, first create a ...
Read more... - RSLinx – Plug and Play Drivers used with Allen-Bradley Devices
Plug and Play comes to the world of Allen-Bradley Industrial Automation.
With a fairly recent copy of the free RSLinx Classic Lite, and A-B devices with USB ports, you simply plug the A-B USB product into your PC using a standard USB cable, and RSLinx automatically adds a driver to connect to the device.
This might not seem like ...
Read more... - Ethernet – How to “Ping” a PLC
PLCs of all shapes and sizes now come with Ethernet communications built-in.
And one of the easiest ways to insure you have network connectivity between your PC and PLC (or other device) is to “Ping” it.
In today’s article I’ll walk you through the simple steps needed to quickly “Ping” your PLC to see if you do ...
Read more... - 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 previous articles and videos about using ...
Read more... - 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 Basics online course. It comes with support ...
Read more... - RSLinx – Bridging Networks
If you are using Rockwell control systems as a platform across your facility or if you have integrated systems between other vendors along with any Rockwell products, you may have found the need to cross multiple networks to gain communications between different systems that need to communicate with one another or you may need to ...
Read more... - 1783-ETAP – Setting Up
If you are contemplating using a Device Level Ring (DLR) topology in your control system networks, an important device in that network is the EtherNet Tap (ETAP).
If the remote devices in your DLR network will require fiber, the ETAP device will work as a media converter changing your communication media back and forth from multimode ...
Read more... - ControlLogix – Which Models Support Modbus?
In a recent article we took a look at which CompactLogix models support Modbus.
As a follow-up to that post, in today’s article we’ll take a look at which ControlLogix processors support Modbus.
ControlLogix support for Modbus RTU
ControlLogix models with a built-in DB9 serial port don’t natively support Modbus RTU like most of the MicroLogix line does.
However, the folks at Rockwell Automation have ...
Read more... - VMware – Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, and BOOTP
In today’s article I’ll show the you the VMware Workstation settings I used to allow BOOTP, RSLinx, and ControlFlash to work.
Part 1: VMware Workstation Network Connection Setting
Step 1) Open the VMware Settings for your Virtual Machine
While there are many ways to open the VMware Workstation settings for a Virtual Machine (VM,) the way I access them is to right click ...
Read more... - VMware – Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, BOOTP (M2E18)
See the VMware Workstation settings Shawn used with RSLinx, ControlFlash, BOOTP in episode 18 of The Automation Minute Season 2.
If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here.
Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - Firmware – What you need to know, and how to get CompactLogix and ControlLogix Firmware
In today’s article we’ll discuss what you need to know about CompactLogix and ControlLogix firmware, as well as how to get it.
Each Allen-Bradley Logix processor supports many different firmware revisions.
And it’s often the case that you’ll load the newest firmware supported into new processors used in new applications.
However, when replacing an existing processor you’ll often want to ...
Read more... - Firmware – Which versions does your CompactLogix and ControlLogix support (M2E28)
Learn how to find out which firmware versions your CompactLogix and ControlLogix support in episode 28 of The Automation Minute Season 2.
If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here.
Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - Firmware – How to Find and Download A-B PLC, PAC, and HMI Firmware in 2018
In today’s article I walk you through how to find and download Allen-Bradley Programmable Controller and HMI Firmware.
Step 1) Open you web browser and go to www.ab.com:
Step 2) Then click on “Compatibility and Downloads”:
Step 3) Now you can perform a text search for your product as I do below for the “PanelView Plus”:
Or you can ...
Read more... - Firmware – How to Find and Download A-B PLC, PAC, and HMI Firmware in 2018 (M4E48)
In this episode I show you how to quickly find and download Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation Firmware for PLCs, PACs, and HMIs (Episode 48 of The Automation Minute Season 4:)
If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here.
Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows ...
Read more... - Firmware – How to download it for CompactLogix and ControlLogix in 2016
In today’s article we walk you through the updated steps you take to download CompactLogix and ControlLogix Firmware.
Step 1) Navigate to www.ab.com
Step 2) On the left, click on the “Product Compatibility and Download Center” link:
Step 3) Now select “Firmware Updates”
Step 4) Here select your processor type. In this example we’ll choose “CompactLogix”
Step 5) Select your processor from ...
Read more... - Firmware – How to download it for CompactLogix and ControlLogix in 2016 (M2E29)
Learn where and how to download firmware for your CompactLogix and ControlLogix processors in episode 29 of The Automation Minute Season 2:
If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here.
Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
Read more... - ControlFlash – Why Doesn’t It Find My Firmware Files?
As I was filming new lessons for my CompactLogix course yesterday, I ran into an issue with version 15.01 of ControlFlash that I’m sure many other programmers have or will run into as well.
Note: If you’ve never used ControlFlash but need to, I’ve previously published step-by-step guides to flashing A-B Programmable Controllers over Ethernet (here) ...
Read more... - ControlFlash Plus
I ran across a software with a new look from Rockwell this past week.
If you have worked with Rockwell products, you are well aware that flashing module firmware is a necessity for new systems as well as upgrading and keeping systems current with the latest support and latest features.
Since I have always used ControlFlash, I ...
Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – How to test the loading of Non-Volatile memory
Similar to other Allen-Bradley PLC’s, the CompactLogix and ControlLogix Controllers give you three options for loading the Controller’s memory “image” from non-volatile memory (CompactFlash, SD, etc.) These “load modes” are “User Initiated,” “On Power Up,” and “On Corrupt Memory.” Below I’ll walk you through how to test each of these modes, of which “On Corrupt Memory” is the trickiest.
Note: You can ...
Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Non-Volatile Memory Load Modes (P8)
In The Automation Podcast, Episode 8, we discuss the different non-volatile memory load modes used in the CompactLogix and ControlLogix.
Note: You can read more about ControlLogix and CompactLogix non-volatile memory in our companion blog article HERE.
Listen to the Podcast:
Read more...
