Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives Review: Specs, Price and Applications
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 is a multi-axis servo-drive platform for machinery with substantial axis counts and power requirements. Rockwell Automation’s manufacturer overview now lists a 1.6–112 kW family range, broader than the 1–60 kW description in the supplied distributor directory. The platform includes single- and dual-axis arrangements, with safety and bus-supply choices determined by the configuration.
Quick Verdict
Best considered as an engineered motion platform within a compatible Rockwell control architecture. The advantage is coordinated multi-axis integration; the selection work remains in the axis modules, common power arrangement, firmware and machine duty.
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives at a Glance
Specification | Details |
Platform | Kinetix 5700 |
Manufacturer | Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley |
Current manufacturer family range | 1.6–112 kW; configuration dependent |
Axis packaging | Single- and dual-axis arrangements |
Options | Integrated drive safety and regenerative bus supply |
Rating basis | Select individual axis and power-supply catalog numbers |
Design and Engineering Assessment
The family power range does not describe a single inverter or guarantee that every module can deliver its upper endpoint. Dimension each motor axis separately, then evaluate simultaneous loading, regenerated energy and supply capacity at the shared system level.
Published panel-space and wiring savings are comparisons against a particular reference architecture. They should not be applied as guaranteed percentages to a retrofit. An actual layout must include supplies, protection, filters, cable bend space and the intended service access.
Current, Voltage and Duty Cycle
A servo drive’s continuous current, peak current and supply envelope describe different constraints. Peak capability supports acceleration for a limited interval; continuous capability determines whether a repeated motion cycle can run without excessive temperature. The useful operating point also depends on the motor winding and back EMF. A nominal wattage therefore serves as an initial selection aid rather than a complete sizing result.
Deceleration can return energy to the DC bus. A machine with a large moving mass or repeated rapid stops needs a defined path for that energy, whether through a shared bus, an appropriate braking arrangement or a regenerative supply. The drive, supply and protection devices must be considered together so that a normal stop does not become an overvoltage trip.
Feedback and Command Architecture
Confirm the exact feedback format, commutation method and electrical interface before connecting a motor. Incremental, absolute and Hall feedback have different purposes and wiring requirements. The machine controller’s command mode must also agree with the drive’s operating mode; a torque-controlled amplifier relies on a different supervisory arrangement from a drive that closes its own position loop.
Motor power and feedback cables should be routed and terminated according to the selected equipment’s electrical design. Connector fit alone does not establish a valid pinout. For an existing machine, preserving the approved motor parameters, direction conventions and fault handling is more reliable than assuming that two similarly rated drives are interchangeable.
Tuning and System Acceptance
Tune with the actual mechanism and representative load. Coupling stiffness, gearbox compliance and structural resonances can limit the useful bandwidth even when the electronics offer fast control updates. Start from stable current and velocity behavior, then assess position tracking and settling against the machine’s acceptance criteria. Faster loop settings are useful only when the mechanics and feedback support them.
Fault recovery should be part of acceptance testing. Check the response to following error, feedback loss, network interruption and a commanded stop under the intended machine design. A protection function in a drive does not by itself establish the safety performance of a complete machine; that depends on the selected functions, wiring and system architecture.
Applications and Selection
Multi-axis packaging, assembly and production machines using a compatible Rockwell motion architecture.
For Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives, define the actual machine duty before selecting an ordering configuration. Include the required operating point, available installation space, environment and control interfaces. The specification table describes the product or family; the surrounding machine determines which of those features matters for the intended job.
Price and Value
Price: Request a quote for the exact configuration. Compare the product, compatible control equipment, required mechanical parts, cabling and commissioning as one installed system. A component price alone does not represent the cost of a working automation axis.
Evaluate an alternative against the same duty and acceptance criteria. Match the continuous operating requirement first, then compare transient capability, feedback, mechanical fit and support. This avoids choosing between superficially similar products whose ratings describe different operating conditions.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Multi-axis architecture with dual-axis packaging
Regenerative-supply and integrated-safety configuration options
Limitations
Requires coordinated selection of drive and supply modules
Real installation savings depend on the comparison machine
Who Should Consider Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives?
Consider Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives for multi-axis packaging, assembly and production machines using a compatible Rockwell motion architecture. Establish the required operating point and installation interfaces before choosing the configuration, and use a representative loaded cycle as the acceptance basis.
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives FAQ
What is Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives?
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 is a multi-axis servo-drive platform for machinery with substantial axis counts and power requirements.
Which specifications matter most?
Platform: Kinetix 5700. Manufacturer: Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley. Interpret the remaining ratings within the selected configuration and operating duty.
What applications should it be considered for?
Multi-axis packaging, assembly and production machines using a compatible Rockwell motion architecture.
What is the main advantage?
Multi-axis architecture with dual-axis packaging. Regenerative-supply and integrated-safety configuration options.
What limitation affects integration?
Requires coordinated selection of drive and supply modules. Real installation savings depend on the comparison machine.
What is the price?
Request a quote for the selected model, options and delivery terms. Any stated example price applies only to its identified seller configuration and may change.
How should an alternative be compared?
Use the same operating duty, installation envelope and acceptance requirements. Compare the complete system, including the compatible drive or controller, mechanical interfaces and commissioning effort.
What should be specified when ordering?
State the complete model or configuration, intended operating point, mechanical interfaces and required control equipment. Include the relevant environment, accessories and quantity so that the quotation describes a usable system.
Prices are indicative and may change. Confirm the final configuration, commercial terms and delivery schedule before ordering.
