The Allen-Bradley Micro850 series represents a strategic evolution in the Micro800 family of programmable logic controllers, engineered specifically to address the nuanced demands of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It bridges the gap between the basic Micro830 and the more advanced Micro870, offering a "just-enough" control philosophy that optimizes both machine performance and cost. The defining characteristic of the Micro850, which distinguishes it from the Micro830, is its native integration of an embedded Ethernet port and a robust expansion I/O architecture. This combination allows OEMs to network their machines seamlessly while retaining the flexibility to tailor the I/O footprint precisely, thereby minimizing hardware costs for standalone applications.

Motion control is a cornerstone of the Micro850's value proposition. The controller features embedded high-speed pulse-train outputs (PTO) and pulse-width modulation (PWM) capabilities, supporting up to three independent axes of motion on the 48-point models. This enables direct control of stepper or servo drives for precise positioning tasks without the need for specialized motion modules. Engineers can leverage intuitive motion function blocks within the Connected Components Workbench (CCW) environment—such as Home, Move Velocity, Move Absolute, and Move Relative—to accelerate development. Furthermore, the controller is equipped with up to six high-speed counter (HSC) channels capable of 100kHz, allowing for accurate position feedback and high-speed event capture. For applications requiring exact registration, the Touch Probe function block utilizes dedicated hardware to achieve precise positioning even at high speeds.

Connectivity is another area where the Micro850 excels. The embedded 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port provides high-performance connectivity for HMI, peer-to-peer communication, and upstream integration. The controller supports a comprehensive suite of protocols, including EtherNet/IP Client/Server for seamless integration into Rockwell Automation architectures, and Modbus TCP Client/Server for interfacing with a vast ecosystem of third-party devices. The CIP Symbolic Client/Server protocol simplifies HMI development by allowing tags created during HMI configuration to directly reference variable names in the Micro800 program. Additionally, the non-isolated RS-232/485 combo port supports Modbus RTU (Master and Slave) and ASCII communication, ensuring connectivity with legacy serial devices. The controller can manage up to 16 simultaneous Modbus TCP Client connections and 16 Server connections.

Hardware flexibility is central to the Micro850's design. The controller is available in 24-point and 48-point base configurations, offering a mix of 12/24V AC/DC inputs and relay outputs. OEMs can customize the controller's functionality with up to five plug-in modules, which add specialized I/O, communication ports, or memory without increasing the physical footprint of the controller. When additional I/O is required, the Micro850 supports up to four Bulletin 2085 expansion I/O modules, allowing the system to scale to a maximum of 132 digital I/O points. These modules snap firmly to the right side of the controller and include high-density digital modules, high-accuracy analog modules, and specialty modules for temperature and serial communication. The entire system is configured and programmed using the free Connected Components Workbench (CCW) software, a single integrated development environment that simplifies device configuration, programming, and HMI development, saving OEMs considerable time and cost compared to using disparate tools for each device.

Technical Specifications