Autonomous Servo Drive: a Cost-effective Option for OEMs

Rockwell Automation’s Kinetix 5100 addresses OEMs’ need to build small, flexible machines with the ability to choose the mode of operation that best suits their applications. Through this servo drive, machine builders have the ability to build an automated system to speed up format changes.

by Giordano Bracco

The growing consumer desire for more product variety and packaging sizes is creating a need for smaller, more flexible machines. To provide a more cost-effective option for OEMs building smaller machines, Rockwell Automation is introducing a new Kinetix 5100 servo drive, Kinetix TLP motor and cable that can function as a system without a controller.
The new Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5100 servo drive has multiple control modes available to support a wider range of high-speed, low-power motion control applications. The drive can be used with a Micro800 controller, a Logix controller or even by itself, allowing OEMs to choose how the product best functions in their applications.

Reduced time-to-market
The Kinetix 5100 servo system works especially well for small- to mid-sized packaging machines that need cost-effective servo control. Bundling the drive, motor and cable together creates more competitive system pricing.
And the ability for OEMs to select the products based on a machine’s power ratings can save time and effort – and help them get to market faster.
This approach and product portfolio positions Rockwell Automation to accelerate our growth in China and emerging markets. The Kinetix 5100 servo system can also help OEMs make customers more productive. With the explosion of SKUs, manufacturers are faced with multiple changeovers, which are often a manual process. Using the Kinetix 5100 servo drive, OEMs can create a motorized, or automated, system that can help speed up changeovers.

Faster machine reversing
Additionally, with built-in safe torque off, users can remove motor torque without removing power from an entire machine, allowing a machine to restart faster after it has reached a safe state. Dual-port EtherNet/IP also supports device-level ring topologies. The Kinetix 5100 servo drive provides an easy migration option for users of the Allen-Bradley Ultra 3000 digital servo drive. That system will soon be phased out in favor of the Kinetix 5100 servo drive.