Welcome to The Automation Blog’s ControlLogix Content Guide which is an ordered list of all of our ControlLogix articles and videos.
Below you’ll find over 170 of our free articles and videos listed with thumbnails and excerpts. If you’d prefer a listing of titles only, click here.
Note: You can purchase a personal copy of all of Shawn’s below articles in our ControlLogix’s Book Of Knowledge here for just $19.99 $9.99 (limited time sale,) or grab a copy of all his ControlLogix videos (nearly 6 hours!) here for just $9.99!
- Logix Instructions – Compute and Absolute
Logix Programming Instructions Every Tech Needs to Know, Part I Image by Brandon Cooper Learning to program anything takes time and effort. The more investment that you make, the greater the return. When I have set out to embark on learning a new system, I first browse through other people’s code in the system to learn the standard ...Read more... - Logix Instructions – Capture and Average a Value with FFL, FFU, and AVE
In a previous article regarding ControlLogix processor faults, I mentioned one of the ways a processor can be faulted was by causing an array to go out of bounds when using an FFL and FFU instruction. These instructions are commonly used to store multiple records at a given sample rate, which then can be averaged. In today’s ...Read more... - Logix Instructions – Bit Field Distribute and Message (MSG)
Logix Programming Instructions Every Tech Needs to Know Part II Image by Brandon Cooper In part one of this series, we looked at an introduction to learning Studio 5000 programming instructions for ControlLogix processors as well as an application for using the CPT and ABS instructions. I want to continue further and explore a few more instructions and ...Read more... - Logix Instructions – Using The Sequencer Output (S07)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, we walk through what it takes to use the Sequencer Output Instruction in RSLogix/Studio 5000: (starts at 3:00) For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 7 Show Notes: Free Sample Download: To get the file created in today’s show for free, click ...Read more... - Logix Instructions – Function Block Totalizer
In this article I’ll introduce you to the basics of a ControlLogix Function Block Routine Totalizer Instruction. If you have ever used any Allen-Bradley software, you are familiar with their ladder logic programming. In many of the earlier systems such as PLC-5 or SLC 500, you only had ladder logic to work with. While many programming scenarios are ...Read more... - UDDT, AOI – Using Effectively To Document Programs
In yesterday’s article I covered the advantage of using verbose tag names in place of pages of comments to document programmable controller programs. Beyond that, there are some other tools available that can help you with organization. Focusing on Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 software, both User-Defined Data Types (UDDTs) as well as Add-On Instructions (AOIs) should be ...Read more... - ControlLogix – Redundancy: What you need to know
Over the years I’ve received many request for information about ControlLogix redundancy. During that time I’ve developed the following ten tips for new redundancy users: At a minimum you will need two processors, two communication modules, two redundancy modules, a redundancy module interconnect cable, two chassis, two power supplies, and at least one rack of whatever distributed I/O platform you plan to ...Read more... - ControlLogix – Redundancy: System Alarm
How many times do you walk around your facility and visually look upon every control system that is currently in operation? If you are anything like me, it may be months in between the times I see some control panels. Along the same line, how often do you “go online” with many of your control systems? For some ...Read more... - ControlLogix – Redundancy: Updating a System
When I think about controller redundancy, the first thought that crosses my mind is “I better do my research, because the components have to be exact.” If you are familiar with the redundancy setup, you know what I am referring to. Only certain models and revisions are compatible to use in a redundant configuration. If you have never ...Read more... - ControlLogix – Redundancy: Time Synchronization
In my living room sits this clock, given to my great-grandfather in 1991 for fifty years of service. As I wind it up every few days, it gives me several important reminders in life. To be the kind of man he was to others, to give the same effort every day as he did to his ...Read more... - Sample Code – How to download free A-B Sample Programs and AOIs (M3E07)
Learn how to download free A-B sample programs and AOIs in Episode 7 of The Automation Minute, Season 3: 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... - Sample Code – Rockwell’s Water Waste Water Accelerator Toolkit
Rockwell’s Water Waste Water Accelerator Toolkit (WWWAT for short) is designed to reduce engineering and development time around Water and Waste Water applications. This “Accelerator Toolkit” is also designed for use with RSLogix5000 and FactoryTalk View Site Edition. The initial download is roughly 510mb 560mb and is in the form of an “.exe” install file. Once downloaded and ...Read more... - PlantPAx Process Objects – What are they?
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about PlantPAx lately. Specifically about PlantPAx as it pertains to HMI and SCADA systems. While PlantPAx is a very wide and broad topic, when I get the above question it typically relates to Rockwell’s highly developed faceplates, formerly known as the “PlantPAx Library of Process Objects.” The purpose of these “objects” or “faceplates” is to provide ...Read more... - PlantPAx Process Objects – How to get Rockwell’s Library of Process ObjectsOne of the new lessons I’ve recorded for my ControlLogix training course, PAC Basics, is how to download and use some of the AOIs included with Rockwell’s PlantPAx Library of Process Objects. And since Rockwell made major changes to their website recently, I thought it also sense to update this article explaining how you go about getting Rockwell’s ...Read more...
- PlantPAx Process Objects – How to get Rockwell’s Library of Process Objects (M3E08)
Learn how to get Rockwell’s Library of Process Objects for free in Episode 8 of The Automation Minute, Season 3: 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... - PlantPAx Process Objects – Using Library AOIs in RSLogix/Studio 5000 (S08)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, we walk through how to download and use PlantPAx Process Library AOI’s in RSLogix/Studio 5000: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 8 Show Notes: Free Sample Download: To get the file created in today’s show for free, click HERE, then add ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – ControlLogix Reading Data Over Ethernet From CompactLogix, SLC-500, MicroLogix (S29)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover how to use the MSG (Message) Instruction in the ControlLogix to read data from CompactLogix, SLC-500, and MicroLogix over Ethernet: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 29 Show Notes: Support our site and get early access to our ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – ControlLogix Writing Data Over Ethernet to a Micro800
If you are implementing a Micro800 series PLC, there is a chance you are doing a small, standalone project that needs no communication with other devices or centralized control system, but that is not always the case. The Micro820, 850, and 870 all come with an Ethernet port that will communicate with your existing ControlLogix or ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – ControlLogix Reading Data Over Data Highway Plus (DH+, DHP) from PLC-5, SLC-500 (S27)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover how you can use the MSG (Message) Instruction in the ControlLogix to read data from the PLC-5 and SLC-500 over a Data Highway Plus network: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 27 Show Notes: Support our site and ...Read more... - 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 to learn how to use ...Read more... - Serial Communications – If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
I’ll be the first to admit it, serial communications (RS-232) is so 1980’s. However, it is also relatively easy to install and support and for many legacy devices it is the only communication option available. So, if you are migrating to newer controllers, but would like to keep your existing RS-232 peripherals (such as a ...Read more... - Logix, S7-300 – Connecting via Ethernet
In this article I’ll walk you through how to setup a connection between an Allen Bradley CompactLogix 1769-L36ERM controller, and a Siemens Simatic S7-300 PLC CPU 315-2PN/DP via Ethernet using the Prosoft PLX31-EIP-SIE Gateway. There is a really big problem for automation engineers to “shake hands” between AB and Siemens PLCs, when it is necessary to ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Monitor Tags on your iPhone and iPad (D001/P37)
Learn how you can view and monitor your ControlLogix Tags on your iPhone and iPad in Episode 1 of The Automation Demo (originally episode 37 of The Automation Podcast.) Watch the Demo: Listen to the Demo: You can now support the show on Automation.Locals.com! You can now support The Automation Blog, Podcast, and Show with a small monthly pledge! ...Read more... - PanelView Standard – Communicate over Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) or DH-485 to CompactLogix, ControlLogix(S33)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover how to use PanelBuilder 32 to create and download a PanelView Standard program to read data from a CompactLogix or ControlLogix over Data Highway Plus or Data Highway 485: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 33 Show ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Logix CIP Security Changes Lead To Integration Issues
One of the gratifying opportunities in the life of a control system’s engineer is to successfully upgrade a legacy system to a newer system with more features and capabilities. We, as automation specialists in general, love to obtain the newest toys (I mean control system equipment) that we can get our hands on. The latest network equipment, ...Read more... - View Designer – Using Extended Tag Properties
I’ll admit, I don’t always investigate every new feature that I read in a software’s release notes and many times I fail to utilize them for some time. Such is the case for tag extended properties in Logix Designer and View Designer. Having used RSLogix 5000 since version seven, I have tried to keep with the new ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – What is the Logix 5000 Removable Media Explorer?
While looking into the ability to log from a ControlLogix or CompactLogix directly to a CSV file, I came across the most curios note. In the documentation for the sample code I reviewed last week HERE, I found a reference to something called, “Logix 5000 Removable Media Explorer (RME.)” It’s not every day that I stumble across something new ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Writing Controller Logs To Removable Media
In modern industry, when it comes to production downtime, very few events are overlooked without an explanation. “Failure analysis” on failed components, and “root cause analysis” for downtime events, are common terminology you will hear if you are involved in any kind of manufacturing environment. I have been in facilities where what would have been unexplainable events ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Data Logging Options
Clients often ask me about available data logging options for the CompactLogix and ControlLogix. And as of version 21, the controller itself still has no native data logging feature (maybe in v22 v30?) While you can create trends in RSLogix5000 which you can later export to CSV file, this solution isn’t automated and not very fool proof. So ...Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Data Logging Options (P27)
In The Automation Podcast: Episode 27, we discuss data logging options for Compact and ControlLogix Note – You’ll find more information about data logging options for Compact and ControlLogix in our companion article below: Blog: Data Logging Options for Compact and ControlLogix Listen to the Podcast:Read more... - ControlLogix, CompactLogix – Datalogging to CSV File
A couple of years ago, prior to the release of Studio 5000 v21, Rockwell demonstrated a future feature for it’s new “multi-core” programmable automation controllers. This new feature was a very robust, controller based data logging system. Unfortunately, since that demo a couple of years back nothing more has been hear about this feature. Well, at least I haven’t been ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – Leaving Your Legacy Control Equipment
Some will argue that there’s no reason to remove part of a control system that today is running as good as it has for the last twenty years (or longer.) Especially when that legacy hardware has been as durable as any tank used during Desert Storm, and runs as well as an 80’s Oldsmobile Cutlass in ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – ControlLogix 5570: Five Questions To Ask Before Migrating
In a recent article we looked at migrating from the CompactLogix L3xE to the L3xER, by reviewing five things you should consider. As a follow-up to that post, in today’s article we’ll take a look at five things you should consider before migrating from the 1756-L6x to the 1756-L7x ControlLogix processors. Five questions to ask before migrating from the L6x to L7x ControlLogix: 1) ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – SLC-500, MicroLogix, RSLogix 500 Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 and Logix Controllers (M4E25)
In this episode I discuss how you go about converting SLC-500 programs to ControlLogix and Studio 5000 (Episode 25 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 for just $30!Read more... - Migrate / Convert – SLC-500, MicroLogix Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 using the Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Utility Step-By-Step
UPDATE: Rockwell has release a new version of this tool with additional features which we cover in our new article HERE. To get the latest version, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)” http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/MultiProductDownload.aspx UPDATE – November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer makers the Translation Tool or Project Migrator ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Utility Changes I’d Like To See
UPDATE: Rockwell has release a new version of this tool with additional features. To get the latest version, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)” http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/MultiProductDownload.aspx Having used Rockwell’s Translate PLC-5 SLC utility on multiple occasions, and having discussed it’s practical use with other programmers time and again, I ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – Working Around Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Utility’s Syntax ErrorA few weeks ago, a client asked me to review his SLC-500 program files. He wanted my advice on how difficult it would be to convert them to CompactLogix. UPDATE – November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer makers the Translation Tool or Project Migrator available as a download, so if you don’t have either in your RSLogix/Studio 5000 ...Read more...
- Migrate / Convert – Logix, Micro800: Seven Things Studio 5000 Users Need To Know About CCW
If you’re familiar with Studio 5000 (or RSLogix 5000) and find yourself in the position of having to write a program for a Micro800, below are seven CCW tips to help you get started: 1) Controller Organizer: In Studio 5000 Logix Designer, the Controller Organizer starts with the Controller itself under which Controller Tags are nested, followed ...Read more... - Studio 5000 – V35: What’s New
Late last year Rockwell released version 35 of Studio 5000 Logix Designer, and in today’s article I’ll cover the highlights of what’s new and updated in the latest release. New Features: Axis Test Mode: Feature simulates real-time motion control behavior at the axis, module, or group level, without requiring connected hardware (applies to 5380, 5480, and 5580.) FLEXHA ...Read more... - Studio 5000 – V35: What’s New (P122)
Kristen Kosatka of Rockwell Automation comes on the show this week to share what’s new with Studio 5000 v35 in Episode 122 of The Automation Podcast. Note: As this episode was not sponsored by the vendor, the video edition is only available to our members here on The Automation Blog and on YouTube. For more information, ...Read more... - ControlLogix, Studio 5000 – Rockwell Automation Update (P114)
This week Dennis Wylie and Justin Wengatz from Rockwell Automation bring us up to speed on What’s New and Coming for ControlLogix and Studio 5000 on Episode 114 of The Automation Podcast. Note: As this episode was not sponsored by the vendor, the video edition is only available to our members here on The Automation Blog ...Read more... - Studio 5000 – v34: What’s New
In March of 2022, Rockwell Automation released Studio 5000 Logix Designer version Thirty-Four. As I tend to do with each release, I recently downloaded the software, read the release notes, and set out to install and test any new features that would be relevant to me in my process control endeavors. Image by: Brandon Cooper – v34 ...Read more... - ControlLogix – v33 Redundancy: Six Things You Need To Know
You might be very happy with NOT touching your Logix 5561 redundant controllers running at firmware version sixteen, and I don’t wish to persuade you otherwise. But if you are thinking about upgrading to something a little more recent, then hopefully this article will provide some insight into what to expect in your upgrade path to ...Read more... - Studio 5000 – v33: What’s New
On September 30, 2020, Rockwell Automation released Studio 5000 Logix Designer version thirty-three. As I tend to do with each incoming version, I downloaded the “Release Notes” and Software to check it out. Image by: Brandon Cooper This always brings back memories of receiving a box of floppy disks from Rockwell so I could install version seven of ...Read more... - Logix – ROKLive20: What’s New with Logix at ROKLive 2020
One of my favorite Rockwell Automation trade show sessions has always been “What’s New in Logix.” This year, the ROKLive presentation that came closet to that classic presentation was CL03, “What’s New and Notable in the Integrated Architecture System,” and in today’s article I’ll highlight the slides that caught my attention: (Note: To see a complete list ...Read more... - Logix, View – ROKLive20: What’s New with Logix and View at ROKLive 2020 (S42)
In this episode of The Automation Show I share my top picks from Rockwell’s ROKLive Logix and View Presentations: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 42 Show Notes: Quick Link to Rockwell’s ROKLive website: TheAutomationBlog.com/ROKLive2020 Note: The above link redirects to the actual link which is extremely long and unwieldy Support ...Read more... - Logix – AF21018: What’s New with Logix from Automation Fair 2018
One of my favorite Automation Fair Technical Sessions is “What’s New in Logix,” and in today’s article I’ll highlight the slides that caught my attention as I reviewed this year’s presentation. First up was a slide promoting the coming release of the 5380 Compact GuardLogix: Schedule for release sometime in Mid-2019, this unit is designed to support ...Read more... - Logix, View – AF2018: What’s New with Logix and View from Automation Fair 2018 (S06)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, we take a look at What’s New in Logix and View based on the Automation Fair 2018 presentations: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 6 Show Notes: NOTE: Would you like your product featured on the Show and Blog? If ...Read more... - Logix – TechED18: What’s New with Logix from TechED 2018
Of all the Rockwell Automation TechED 2018 presentations made available last week, the first ones I went through were the “What’s New” presentations, as I’m always looking to find out what’s new and coming from Rockwell. In today’s article I’ll review my top five Logix announcements from the “What’s New in the Integrated Architecture System Hardware” presentation. Note: ...Read more... - Logix, View – TechED18: What’s New with Logix and View from TechED 2018 (P45)
I review the “What’s New in Logix and View” hardware presentation in Episode 45 of The Automation Podcast. Watch the Podcast: Listen to the Podcast:Read more...
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