The newest PLC control platform for Motoman® robots

Dayton, OH - Yaskawa Motoman is pleased to announce the MLX200 Robot Gateway - the newest PLC control platform for Motoman® robots. MLX200 enables the control of robots entirely through Rockwell Automation's ControlLogix® and CompactLogix® Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC).

MLX200 provides easy-to-use programming Add-On-Instructions (AOI) for Rockwell Automation's RSLogix™ 5000 software. Multiple robots can be controlled through a single MLX200 Robot Gateway. A full-featured robot teaching and maintenance HMI is provided for Allen Bradley's PanelView™, and it can be customized by machine builders and integrators.

"MLX200 brings the unified controls architecture concept to reality. If conveyors, sealers, wrappers and most packaging equipment are controlled through a PLC ladder and Rockwell platforms, then robots should not be any different," says Roger Christian, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "With MLX200, robots are maintenance staff-friendly as troubleshooting of the entire system happens in one place, in one language. Multiple programming languages are no longer required."

MLX200 enhances the previous MLX100 technology by optimizing the robot motion software; it now consumes significantly less PLC resources, while improving the capability of scheduling algorithms for line-tracking applications, and now includes control through the Rockwell CompactLogix platform.

"The MLX200 Robot Gateway not only strengthens our product line and commitment to the consumer packaging industry, but it also enables seamless robotics integration throughout the production line," said Shishir Rege, Product Marketing Manager, Consumer Product Goods. "We are excited about the MLX200's ability to enhance the application development experience with its unified controls architecture."

"MLX200 is our unique approach to making unified controls architecture a reality. It combines the strength of Rockwell's Programmable Automation Controllers for logic and control with Yaskawa's advanced kinematics and robot manipulators," adds Chetan Kapoor, Senior Technology Director.

A multitude of applications (including those requiring vision guidance and line tracking) are possible through the MLX200 platform, including assembly, part transfer, picking, sorting, kitting, case packing, palletizing and de-palletizing. Select Motoman robots (4-7 axis; 5-300 kg payload) are offered with the MLX200 Robot Gateway. Any combination of the available models can be used for multiple robot applications.

ControlLogix, CompactLogix and RSLogix are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.

About Yaskawa Motoman
Founded in 1989, the Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. is a leading robotics company in the Americas. With over 270,000 Motoman® robots installed globally, Yaskawa provides automation products and solutions for virtually every industry and robotic application; including arc welding, assembly, coating, dispensing, material handling, material cutting, material removal, packaging, palletizing and spot welding. For more information please visit our website at www.motoman.com or call 937.847.6200.

About Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.