Rockwell Automation has announced a range of programmable automation controllers (PACs) based on dual-core processors, which can handle motion applications over EtherNet/IP. The company contends that the Allen-Bradley L7x PACs will set new benchmarks for speed and performance.

It adds that when used with its Kinetix 6500 servo drives and RSLogix 5000 software, the PACs will simplify many installations because users will need only one network and one programming environment, as well as benefiting from seamless PAC-to-PAC and PAC-to-enterprise communications.

The 8Mb L73 and 32Mb L75 PACs are faster than Rockwell’s existing L6x range and raise the number of supported axes from 32 to 100. They also offer enhanced SDRAM application memory which, as well as being more robust, offers faster read/write capabilities.

The PACs are said to be ideal for information-intensive applications, such as batch processing, where extra memory is needed for recipe management. Faster cross-loading also makes them suitable for redundant systems.

The new controllers incorporate energy storage modules (ESMs) that eliminate the need for lithium batteries, with their maintenance and environmental issues.

USB ports are standard, helping to improve performance for flashing firmware, uploading and downloading, on-line editing and bridging to the backplane.

Instead of using CompactFlash memory cards, the PACs offer the option of removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards, said to be faster and more robust and rated for use in SIL 2 applications.

An on-board display provides enhanced controller diagnostics and run-time information.