Bürkert GmbH & Co. KG Fluid Control Systems

Reliable control over process temperatures
Exact temperature control is a critical factor in many industrial metal and plastic processing sequences. In these scenarios, the requirements regarding temperature control can vary substantially depending on the production conditions. However, what is always required are solutions that guarantee one-hundred-percent repeatability wherever possible to ensure high product quality. They must also be simple to integrate and capable of being extended or converted as required. The modular temperature control platform developed by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, which permits seamless adjustment to suit the most varied processes, was designed precisely with these requirements in mind. It is based on a broad range of electromotive and pneumatic valves as well as various measurement principles, e.g. for coolant flows (ultrasound and paddle wheel), air quantities (thermal sensor) as well as pressure and temperature. Supplied as a custom assembled complete system, the temperature control can then easily be integrated into the most diverse applications.

Service-friendly, leak-free and efficient
Thanks to the modular design, individual valve clusters can easily be realised, as can multi-channel media distribution systems or complete media cabinets – always adapted to meet individual requirements. The user avoids the need to install piping between individual valves and dead spaces are reduced thanks to the compact design. In contrast to discrete assembly solutions, this allows the valve block to be placed close to the tool. Since the very compact design also reduces the heat-radiating surfaces, energy efficiency improves accordingly. The service-friendly structure also makes it easier to replace individual components. Orbital welding seams and high-temperature graphite seals that can also withstand extreme temperature differences guarantee leak-free operation.

The Bürkert EDIP (Efficient Device Integration Platform) can be used to connect the temperature control to all standard bus systems; the wiring complexity is reduced, start-up and parameterisation are simple. Depending on the tool and process, temperatures can be specified, the flow control set automatically, or a constant pressure maintained. Once parameters have been stored, they can be restored at any time. All things considered, the temperature control processes are reliably repeatable which boosts product quality and eliminates waste.

Gas control for casting and thermal processing technology
Industrial plants for producing steel, for casting or for thermal processing technology place different requirements on their gas supply and rely on different automation concepts. Therefore, communication between components must always be tailored to the specific needs of the plant. As part of this year’s GIFA, Bürkert Fluid Control Systems is presenting a range of automation concepts for gas control based on its proven mass flow controllers (MFC). Possibilities range from data exchange through to “conventional” analogue standardised interfaces and digital networking using all common fieldbus protocols all the way to plug-and-play MFC assemblies, not to mention complete control cabinets including all components for gas control.

Tailored automation concepts
For smaller or simpler plants where only small amounts of data need to be transferred, the conventional analogue interface is the ideal choice. Start-up and maintenance are straightforward, and signals can be checked with the help of simple aids. These vendor-neutral devices operate independently of the controller and are extremely easy to replace.

If diagnostic data, device state etc. are to be transmitted in addition to set-point and actual values, the mass flow controllers can communicate via digital interfaces, e.g. PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS DP, Modbus TCP, EtherCAT, CANopen or RS485. Gateways and Bürkert’s proprietary büS network also allow the integration of other protocols - for gas-control functions that are fully compatible with Industry 4.0.

Plug-and-play complete solutions, which can easily be connected to the higher-level controller for precise dosing and logging of gas volumes, can be realised with digital as well as analogue interfaces. The MFC assemblies and complete control cabinets are tailored to the application requirements. The entire fluid control layout is factory-tested, ensuring that installation and start-up can be completed easily and quickly on site.

Simple configuration, parameterisation and diagnostics
In all automated gas-control solutions, the “Communicator” software simplifies the configuration, parameterisation and diagnostics tasks. This practical EDIP tool (Efficient Device Integration Platform) is suitable for analogue and digital devices. It gives the user a complete overview of all cyclical process values as well as all acyclic diagnostic data. Device configurations can be backed up and restored and the integrated, graphical programming environment makes it possible to create control functions for decentralised sub-systems. Connections to a PC can also be established on the fly using a USB-CAN adapter.