Product category:
Mid-range and Large PLCs
News Release from: Rockwell Automation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 24 July 2002
Centre provides hand-on automation
training
Rockwell Automation has joined forces with Plymouth College of Further Education to open an Approved Training Centre as part of the college's GBP 3.2 million Innovation Centre.
Rockwell Automation has joined forces with Plymouth College of Further Education to open an Approved Training Centre as part of the college's GBP 3.2 million Innovation Centre Aimed at local businesses and students following general engineering courses as well as those on specific factory automation training, it also provides Rockwell Automation with an enhanced presence in the South-West region
There are a total of 14 specific training rigs that allow trainees to have hands-on training on a variety of factory automation equipment.
These include the Allen-Bradley SLC series of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), the latest generation ControlLogix controller, DeviceNet plant networking solutions, RSView Scada software and the RSWire CAD package for electrical system design and layout.
Plymouth College of Further Education's Centre houses high-tech engineering and IT facilities for business.
As well as training and support facilities it aims to demonstrate the environmental benefits of an energy saving approach to building design.
A focal point of the training centre is the Integrated Architecture wall, provided by Rockwell Automation.
This enables visitors to see how the networking of factory automation equipment provides many benefits including optimised control and powerful diagnostics, which simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance.
It gives an overview of integrated architecture from shop floor devices to supervisory systems.
Three layers of communications are shown, all linked to a computer system via linking devices and gateways.
An extensive display of devices connects to Open Networks including DeviceNet, ControlNet and Ethernet.
The seamless communication capability shows how plant data can be collected and devices configured from anywhere without the need to write code.
Diagnostic information can be read from intelligent devices such as drives or electronic overloads, to optimise plant performance.
The area also features Allen-Bradley ControlLogix systems and PanelView HMI (Human Machine Interface) used to demonstrate the ViewAnyware strategy and RSView software.
Guardmaster and Anorad are both Rockwell Automation companies and their factory safety products and linear motors are included in the product displays.
In response to the expected growth in business, Rockwell Automation's distributor Routeco has opened a new branch in Plymouth offering ex-stock delivery of most hardware and software plus technical support and advice.
All this is in addition to the benefits offered by the new training centre.
Alan Crooks, head of technology and computing at the college says, "We really appreciate the involvement of Rockwell Automation and Routeco in this project.
Rockwell Automation's extensive range of industrial automation equipment, software and know-how will be of great help to our lecturers and students and provides realistic working equipment that is truly state of the art in today's factories.
The facility has really enhanced the support we can offer the local manufacturing sector".
Rockwell Automation UK managing director Nick Fossey says, "We have been delighted to be able to work with Plymouth College of Further Education on this project.
We know from previous experience how valuable these facilities can be to students and local businesses and we welcome the opportunity to increase our presence in this important part of the world". Request free introductory details about products from Rockwell Automation ...
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