ABCO Automation Seamlessly Integrates PACs from NI with Allen-Bradley PLCs.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Easy Integration Through NI LabVIEW Increases System Throughput, Reduces Deployment Costs for PACs

Automation manufacturers such as ABCO Automation are using programmable automation controllers (PACs) from National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) to seamlessly integrate testing and automation solutions into existing PLCs. Using the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment running on an embedded PXI controller, ABCO created a PAC solution for its automotive wheel speed sensor assemblies and integrated the solution with existing Allen-Bradley PLCs via an RSLinx OPC server for increased throughput of one part every six seconds.

In the current competitive business climate, engineers and manufacturers face productivity demands that drive the need for more automation throughout the manufacturing process. As a result, many companies are augmenting traditional PLC-based assembly lines with more cost-effective, PC-based technologies. The speed, accuracy and industrial communication capabilities made the NI PAC platform the ideal solution for ABCO to meet rigorous application requirements, including interoperability with existing factory control systems.

"National Instruments OPC capabilities and interoperability with PLCs were key factors in the success of this project. The ease with which NI PAC hardware can speak to the Allen-Bradley hardware saved me valuable programming and integration time on this delivery-critical job," said Arif Bustani, ABCO electrical engineer for the project. "In the end, it directly benefits our customers when we improve performance and reduce costs."

ABCO Automation used an NI PXI-1042 chassis and an NI PXI-8186 controller along with several NI PXI-6070E data acquisition (DAQ) devices to develop a high-speed assembly line that acquires and analyzes waveform data and then communicates with the existing PLC-based control system. Using NI LabVIEW DataSocket technology and RSLinx from Allen-Bradley, ABCO integrated the NI PAC hardware with traditional PLCs for seamless control and data monitoring. The PAC system acquires waveforms from an encoder connected to a tone wheel operating at a specific RPM and analyzes the data to determine pass and fail grades. Acceptable parts are sent to packaging while rejected parts are isolated.

"The automotive sensor test solution from ABCO is an example of how traditional PLC-based automation can be combined with powerful, cost-effective PC-based automation using PACs and the open, single development environment of NI LabVIEW," said Robert Jackson, National Instruments PXI product manager. "The NI PAC industrial platform combines the best features of the PC -- such as flexibility, processing power and customizable software -- with the reliability and ruggedness of the PLC."

For more information about the ABCO Automation customer application, readers may visit www.ni.com/pac/pxi_cpci.htm.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging the PC and its related technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs through easy-to-integrate software, such as the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment, and modular hardware, such as PXI modules for data acquisition, instrument control and machine vision. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,400 employees and direct operations in approximately 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Readers may obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling 512-683-5090, by sending e-mail to [e-mail] or by visiting www.ni.com/nati.

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