CompactLogix 5480 Process Controllers

The Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5480 controller combines the Logix control system with the Windows operating system.

The new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5480 controller from Rockwell Automation allows manufacturing workers to more closely monitor industrial processes and make more informed decisions. The controller integrates the Logix control system and the Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating system, allowing operators to access production data directly on equipment.

"The controller can collect raw data from equipment and transform it into actionable information for workers directly on-site," says Jason Shaw, global product manager, controllers, Rockwell Automation. "By providing operators with critical process information at its source, they can make fast and informed decisions. As a result, they respond more effectively to various events and, ultimately, improve the productivity of the Connected Enterprise."

The controller reduces latency by collecting data in real time at the equipment level. Users receive information from control systems without leaving the equipment, while other data can be sent to higher levels—to the enterprise network or the cloud. The ability to run Windows applications directly on the controller eliminates the need for a separate PC on the production site, thereby saving space.

"Companies deploying Industrial IoT technologies in manufacturing can no longer choose between cloud and on-premises architectures—they need both," says Matthew Littlefield, president and chief analyst, LNS Research. "By accessing machine-level data from control systems while simultaneously having valuable insights processed in the cloud, many companies are achieving the superior decision-making they desire."

The CompactLogix 5480 controller supports systems with over 150 motion axes. This makes it an ideal solution for large packaging, cartoning, and printing machines, thanks in part to its simplified architecture and compact size. Furthermore, the controller ensures minimal program execution and motion loop update times, significantly increasing equipment productivity.