AutomationDirect unveiled its latest logic controller, the Productivity3000 Programmable Automation Controller that combines the capabilities and features of a PC-based control system with that of a programmable logic controller (PLC).

The device provides fast scan times, CPU with 50MB memory and seven communication ports, including built-in Ethernet remote I/O and local expansion ports that are standard on CPUs.

The PAC is a modular, rack-based system with a full lineup of 36 analog, discrete and specialty PAC I/O modules, auto-discover remote and local PAC bases, GS and I/O drives, remote, expansion and local I/O bases up to 115,000+ I/O points, hot-swappable I/O, with no power budget limitations and no module placement restrictions.

The Programmable Automation Controller features a CPU with 4 line x 10 character LCD display and 7 communication ports, easy drive integration, hardware auto-discovery, display on analog modules, easy data logging and run-time editing, flexible and friendly tag name database, and easy connection to access, ODBC or SQL databases.

According to AutomationDirect, the LCD feature in the P3-550 CPU is ideal for the display of information, user-defined messages or system alarms.

PAC’s USB plug and play connection is available for online monitoring and programming. The USB local I/O expansion can support four additional I/O bases, while an Ethernet remote I/O expansion port connects up to 32 remote base groups.

AutomationDirect said that the Productivity3000 PAC has two power supplies (DC- powered and AC-powered). The two power supplies provide isolated 3.3VDC, 5VDC and 24VDC to the device bases.

The device also has pre-wired ZIPLinks plug and play wiring systems for wiring most I/O modules. The wiring system can eliminate the need for terminal blocks and hand wiring modules.

AutomationDirect also said that the user can download free ProductivitySuite PAC programming software that features tag-based programming for more seamless integration with HMIs and better documentation management.