Leading the way to holistic process safety

03 August 2010

Ranked first in an ARC Advisory Group report on global leaders in machine and process safety solutions, Rockwell Automation believes in a holistic approach to safety and offers innovative solutions to help improve the functional operation of machines, helping to increase safety, efficiency and productivity while reducing waste.

Focused on meeting the evolving demands of manufacturing, the company delivers a system that integrates process control and process safety, while meeting industry requirements for separation. The PlantPAx process automation system integrates ICS Triplex Trusted SIL 3 triple modular redundant technology, which provides high-level availability and fault tolerance, and the cost-effective, scalable AADvance process safety system, which can be used for simplex, duplex and triplex functions with SIL 1, 2 or 3 requirements. PlantPAx allows process control and process safety systems to communicate directly with each other and share data, helping to minimise troubleshooting time and providing faster recovery without compromising safety or security. The scalability allows customers to select the level of integration required, as well as the technology that matches the needed SIL level and fault tolerances.

The common data infrastructure permits the sharing of alarms and data over a single EtherNet/IP network, while allowing for a common HMI to display the events and information across an enterprise. Based on CIP, EtherNet/IP communicates with other CIP-based networks to provide a seamless data path from the plant floor to IT level. With tighter integration on a common open network, EtherNet/IP helps reduce the typical network installation and support costs by up to 50%. In addition, the seamless CIP integration decreases the engineering time necessary to integrate BPCS and SIS by up to two days when compared to traditional methods, such as OPC.
　
With the PlantPAx system software, customers have the additional benefit of device management for sensors, instruments, drives, valves and other assets, which can be configured in minutes. Rockwell　Automation now also offers new fault-tolerant I/O and configurable add-on instructions (AOIs) for its SIL 2 TÜV-certified Allen-Bradley ControlLogix programmable automation controller. The configurable easy-to-use AOIs help reduce application logic for both fail-safe and fault-tolerant SIL 2 application systems.

Rockwell Automation’s holistic perspective allows for reduced design and implementation time, as well as enhanced diagnostic capability, lower operating costs and improved machine/line safety and productivity. Keeping abreast of international and local safety standards, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of safety solutions for any level of integration – from a safety relay based solution to a fully integrated PAC with motion, standard and safety control.