Preface

In 1997, Rockwell Automation launched their current generation control platform, Logix. It represented decades of automation technical advancement for robust, large-scale solutions. When it launched, it included the ControlLogix 5550 controllers (Bulletin 1756), ControlLogix I/O modules, and RSLogix 5000 programming software platform. In 2001, CompactLogix Controller (Bulletin 1769) was added to the Logix family to support intermediate-sized automation solutions under the same development platform. The RSLogix 5000 programming software (in version 21 and higher, is now referred to as Logix Designer within the Studio 5000 software package) provided a unified IEC61131-3 control platform, featuring user-friendly interfaces and workflows. Ultimately, the Logix platform reduced programming complexity, eased troubleshooting, and increased plant reliability.

RSLogix 5000 provides intuitive access to real-time information, easy to follow run-time logic animations, and a comprehensive suite of online change capabilities. Rockwell is the automation market leader in North America. Moreover, due to Rockwell Automation's continued success and the glacial speed at which most plants switch platforms, it will be the market leader for the foreseeable future. Outside North America, it is widely considered to be the fourth largest automation manufacturer (after Siemens, ABB, and Schneider). Its total global installation base is well over 2 million programmable controllers. Needless to say, as an automation professional, learning the Logix platform suite is an excellent investment of your time.

Rockwell Automation has provided a wealth of knowledge in their web-based Literature Library resources, which is the ultimate source of all the Logix platform knowledge. Rockwell has created a web of over 10,000 documents that is often difficult to navigate for beginners. Learning RSLogix 5000 Programming is in no way a replacement for this resource (this book would need to be 100,000 pages longer), but provides newcomers with a solid foundation in the Logix platform features and Rockwell Automation terminology. By the end of this book, the reader will have a clear understanding of the capabilities of the Logix platform and how to quickly navigate through the Rockwell Automation Literature Library resources.

Learning RSLogix 5000 Programming provides a gentle introduction to RSLogix 5000 and the Logix platform. If you understand the basics of PLC programming or have experience with programming other PLC platforms, this book will provide you with the knowledge to become proficient at implementing Logix solutions from the ground up.