Rockwell Automation releases linear motion control system for food packaging

Rockwell Automation has released the iTRAK 5730 small-frame intelligent track system for food and beverage packaging.

The system uses independent cart technology to support smart, flexible and efficient machines.

By using magnetic propulsion, the individually controlled carts can quickly start and stop with high precision, which reduces machine wear.

The technology also manages changeovers using pre-configured move profiles that can be implemented with the push of a button from an HMI.

The iTRAK 5730 system has the smallest footprint within the Rockwell Automation independent cart portfolio.

It has a 50-mm minimum pitch that makes it ideal for primary packaging applications, such as flow wrapping, end-load cartoning, and form-fill-and-seal pouching.

The iTRAK 5730 also offers integrated safety. Features such as safe torque off, Safe Stop 1, a SIL 3, PLe safety rating and the ability to create safety zones help increase confidence in machine safety.

Safety zones, for example, can increase safety without compromising productivity by allowing motion to continue outside of the safety zone, even after a trip inside the safety zone.

Simulation capabilities allow users to calculate throughput on the iTRAK 5730 system.

Users can also create a digital twin that can be used to virtually design, commission and demonstrate the system, and to virtually train workers.

Standardized object-oriented libraries also can help create a consistent user experience and accelerate time to market.