New Integrated Drive-Motor From Rockwell Automation Simplifies Cabling, Frees Up Panel Space

The Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor combines servo drive and motor technologies in a compact, on-machine package

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 27, 2012 — Machine builders can reduce control-system enclosure size, cut wiring time and simplify cabling when using the new Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor system from Rockwell Automation. The Kinetix 6000M drive-motor combines the high-performance Allen-Bradley MP-Series food-grade servo motor and Kinetix 6000 multi-axis servo drive technologies into a single, compact, on-machine package.

“Machine builders face a variety of challenges,” said Paul Sipe, marketing manager, Motion Business, Rockwell Automation. “They need to balance the goals of increasing machine flexibility by using more servo axes, while reducing machine size and assembly labor costs. Now, integrated drive-motor technology can help them achieve these goals.”

Moving servo drives out of the control enclosure and onto the machine delivers significant space savings, while reducing cabling. For example, replacing panel-mounted drives with the Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor system can reduce panel space required by up to 60 percent for a typical eight-axis system. Additionally, the number of cables exiting the control enclosure is reduced by as much as 75 percent because a hybrid/network cable daisy chain replaces the individual power and feedback cables needed for panel-mounted servo drives. Fewer cables help to reduce assembly time, the potential for wiring errors, and the time it takes to troubleshoot and repair a machine.Terminating servo motor power and feedback cables at panel-mounted servo drives can take about 20 minutes per axis. The Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor system allows machine builders to do this in approximately 30 seconds, helping to dramatically reduce installation time.

“Machine builders for motor-intensive applications need the flexibility to modify machine axes as easily as possible to meet future demands,” said Himanshu Shah, senior analyst with ARC Advisory Group. “With the Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor system, axes can easily be added or removed from the integrated drive-motor daisy chain without modifying components and wiring in the control enclosure.”

The Kinetix 6000M drive-motor is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Kinetix 6000 and Kinetix 6200 multi-axis servo-drive systems and features an integrated drive-motor power interface module that mounts directly to a standard Kinetix 6000 power rail. The mounting flange and shaft dimensions of the Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor units are identical to the MP-Series motors of the same frame size, minimizing the mechanical changes needed to use integrated drive-motor technology.

The Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor system is ideal for servo motor-intensive applications, such as packaging, converting, print and Web machines. It meets the unique needs of food and beverage packaging and handling applications by offering features geared for the industry, including enhanced sealing techniques, corrosion resistant materials and coating appropriate for food environments.

The new drive-motor is available in three different frame sizes, offering optional holding breaks and SIL2/PLd safe torque-off functionality.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs over 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information:

• Kinetix 6000M website: http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Motion-Control/Kinetix-6000M-Servo-Drive-Motor
• Kinetix 6000M photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellautomation/7221563516/in/photostream

Media contacts:
Julie Gonzo
Rockwell Automation
262.512.2192
jbgonzo@ra.rockwell.com
Sarah Kalhorn
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.
612.455.1791
skalhorn@padillaspeer.com

Allen-Bradley, Kinetix, LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE. and MP-Series are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.