Schneider Electric has unveiled the new Modicon M580, a groundbreaking automation controller, the key component of PlantStruxure, Schneider's integrated automation architecture. The M580 is the world's first ePac, the next-generation PAC (Programmable Automation Controller) that is fully based on Ethernet. It gives industrial plants the ability to design, implement and run a process that actively takes advantage of all the benefits of open networking, such as increased visibility of key process data and events, greater transparency and consistency of information, and large data traffic capacities.
Built for open networks
The heart of the new innovative Modicon M580 is the SPEAr microprocessor which embeds standard Ethernet in the controllers and applies it to all communications, including the backplane.
The result is an outstanding level of transparency and performance, without any need for manual configuration of each connected device. SPEAr technology brings Ethernet communications to the fieldbus, control bus, and internal backplane bus, and to all connected equipment and modules. Ethernet is also automatically applied to every device in the network, such as electrical distribution systems, low voltage boards, and energy management functions. To form a complete and open system"
As a result, many types of data are seamlessly merged and made available to the operator to help him:
• Rapid diagnosis and identification of causes of problems
• Access to consistent and accurate data for timely decision making
• Making informed decisions about energy management
• Reduce downtime with detailed insight into alarms and events
Built for powerful performance and sustainable development
The ultra-powerful 600MHz ARM dual-core processor is the digital engine inside the M580. It delivers an extremely high level of processing power and connectivity, allowing security features to be built directly into the controller and increasing its resistance to cybercrime. Furthermore, with integrated Change Configuration on the Fly, engineers no longer need to stop the process to add or remove a module, make architectural changes, or even modify the application.
Upgrading to Modicon M580 is possible without additional investment in wiring, software development or training. Based on the Modicon X80 range, which includes the widely acclaimed Modicon M340 controllers, the M580 extends processing and architecture capabilities.
M580 is also compliant with Modicon Premium’s Xbus communication, meaning that depending on the current system need, users can easily switch between the different controller sizes in the Modicon range without changing their I/O racks and cabling. Developed applications are stored in the Unity Pro configuration software and remain fully operable with only minimal adjustment.
Built for PlantStruxure, the integrated architecture
Modicon M580 is the controller for PlantStruxure, Schneider Electric’s collaborative and integrated automation architecture. PlantStruxure brings together Telemetry, PLC/SCADA and DCS with full lifecycle services to help make operations more efficient. From initial design to modernization, PlantStruxure transparently connects the control and operation of the plant.
