Rockwell Automation hosted its annual Automation Fair at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, showcasing some of its latest hardware and software innovations. Industry leaders, partners, and customers from around the globe accessed 250+ educational sessions, more than 400+ domain experts, 450+ hours of advanced training, and over 120+ live exhibits with interactive demos. Ready to progress your digital transformation journey and evolve industrial automation for smart factory of the future operations? Let’s explore the latest game-changing tech from Rockwell.
Thousands attended the Rockwell Automation Fair this year to take in the latest industry insights, technologies, and make new connections. Image used courtesy of Control.com
Hardware Innovations
One interesting piece of hardware from Rockwell’s Allen Bradley is the Armor PowerFlex 330 drive motor, an integrated drive motor with a space-saving form factor and lightweight design, which also conserves energy, reducing consumption by up to 10% or more. The drive motor is designed to integrate with the Logix control platform to support rapid deployment and enhanced safety for original equipment manufacturers and end users. How does this integration enhance safety? The drive motor communicates directly with CompactLogix/ControlLogix controllers via CIP safety over EtherNet/IP. This means faster response times, reduced wiring and potential points of failure, and more consistent, validated information transfer.
The ControlLogix 5590 series delivers high-performance computing, simplifies system design, boosts response time, and optimizes diagnostics by combining high-performance computing with high-speed communication (courtesy of a 1 Gb EtherNet/IP network interface), integrated motion, and safety functions in a central, scalable platform. In addition, the EtherNet/IP In-Cabinet Solution reduces convoluted cabling and intricate panel area requirements by streamlining connectivity with a small 7-conductor flat media cable that transmits both power and data.
The Micro820 L20E controllers connect with Connected Components Workbench software (version 23) or FactoryTalk Design Workbench software version 1 for controller detection and configuration. Image used courtesy of Rockwell
When taken together, these innovations offer a single, fast infrastructure that maintains strong safety and network dependability while enhancing efficiency, streamlining installation, and reducing overall system costs. Another nifty piece of wiring tech is Rockwell’s 5069 wiring systems, and attendees of the Automation Fair would also have come across the company’s Micro820 L20E controllers for optimal communications across SCADA and HMI, along with extra support for Class 1 implicit messaging.
Rockwell's Stratix 2100 Unmanaged Industrial Ethernet Switch offers secure and robust network access. It incorporates Energy Efficient Ethernet technology to lower energy use and offers Quality of Service for traffic prioritization. The Stratix 2100 provides a solution for micro-scale networks or specific parts of larger macro-level systems, and is designed for low network connectivity, no-configuration applications.
Innovative Software
Attendees would have also had the chance to explore Rockwell’s cost-saving Asset+ Managed Service. The service involves onsite guidance from an asset management professional for managing repair, organizing the supply of critical parts, minimizing standard failure modes, minimizing repairs and downtime associated with these repairs, as well as generating informative reports for asset and online reliability.
Rockwell Automation’s Security Monitoring and Response provides a round-the-clock Managed Detection and Response service designed to protect operational technology settings while reducing operational interruptions. This neutral solution integrates with existing control systems to provide ongoing threat monitoring and prompt incident assistance. Customers can leverage the capabilities of a specialized OT Security Operations Center to strengthen their resilience to potential threats. Sophisticated analytics help users distinguish relevant from critical data, enabling swift responses to real cyber threats without interrupting production or requiring comprehensive security training.
If you didn’t manage to get to the Automation Fair this year and want to stay ahead of the game, check out the full list of industrial hardware and software releases from Rockwell, as well as its industry partners, here.
Delta Motion at Automation Fair 2025. Image used courtesy of Control.com
Kyntronics at Automation Fair 2025. Image used courtesy of Control.com
