Rockwell Automation Adds APC Function Blocks to RSLogix

Rockwell Automation has introduced three new advanced process control (APC) function blocks in the latest version of Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 engineering software. In addition, the company introduced a new redundancy module and improvements in system availability.

"We have experienced major growth in the adoption of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture in process industries by focusing on the continued expansion of portfolio capabilities," said Som Chakraborti, business manager, Process Automation, Rockwell Automation. "For process automation users, the new offerings help improve the control and availability features of the Logix Control Platform."

The new APC blocks provide compensation for long, dead-time processes and allow simpler multivariable control with automatic tuning built-in, according to Rockwell. Control strategy implementation with the new blocks is straightforward and configuration is done within the RSLogix 5000engineering software.

Rockwell also claims that the new redundancy module (RM) improves the configuration by improving the throughput capacity and switchover time. Supporting multiple controllers in one chassis, the new redundancy configuration expands the processing capacity to accommodate larger and more complex control projects. User-defined instructions are also supported in the redundancy configuration.