Festo Introduces at ACE 2015 a New Modular Approach to Automating Water/Waste Water Plants
Hauppauge, NY (PRWEB) June 08, 2015 -- Festo showcases at ACE 2015, June 7-10, at Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif., a new modular approach to automating water/waste water and other processing plants. This new approach reduces the time and cost of manufacturing process systems and makes processing plants more adaptable to changing market environments. At the show, Festo features a number of the key components that are essential to modular systems. (Festo Booth #1586)
“The new Festo initiative not only helps OEMs and integrators deliver a superior solution quickly and at a saving, it also provides the end-user with a system that supplies continuous diagnostic data,” said Craig Correia, Head of Process Automation at Festo. “This data helps to ensure high uptime, improve validation/commissioning efficiency, and process quality.
“The biggest opportunity to reduce manufacturing costs for the OEM happens in the design phase, where component selection is made and vendor partnerships are created. We strive to deliver solutions during design that make an impact. We’ve found that with early involvement we can help reduce skid fabrication assembly costs by almost 20 percent.”
The traditional design for a water filtration plant includes valves, pumps, tanks, filter modules, sensors, and pipes. The required components for actuating the field devices are installed in a control cabinet, and a valve terminal such as a remote I/O system with integrated pneumatic section is connected to a central controller with visualization (management system) via a fieldbus. Plants of this type can be easily modularized by breaking down the process into sub processes and defining a module for each sub-process with all the mechanical and automation components required for standalone operation. Key modules systems in a water/waste water plant include pump, filtration, and clean in place.
At the heart of any Festo modular system is the CPX modular controller with the MPA valve terminal. This in-the-cabinet controller, with an IP67 rating, provides serial linkage and consistent communication down to the valve level for comprehensive diagnostics. The compact MPA terminal has up to 64 valve positions/128 solenoid coils. This design saves considerable space in the control cabinet, helping to reduce cabinet size, and provides reliable feedback-free switching of pilot valves/process actuators.
The CPX modular controller features CODESYS, a software/hardware independent control solution based on IEC 61131-3. CODESYS is extremely cost effective and helps to lower project costs. Standalone or embedded in the HMI or valve/electrical terminal, CODESYS enables communication with leading Ethernet and Fieldbus protocols.
The Festo MPA valve terminal in this application features multipole mounting plates that decrease assembly time because there is no need to produce short runs of pneumatic cable within the cabinet or to make multiple bulkhead connections. Multipole plate gaskets have NEMA and IP ratings so the integrity of the enclosure is maintained against moisture, dust, and gases. By removing all the short pneumatic hoses inside the cabinet, the time to verify connections during the factory acceptance test or when performing field service is greatly reduced. Having all of the pneumatic connections on the outside of the cabinet wall improves the aesthetics and standards compliance for the cabinet.
For applications requiring proportional pressure control, Festo enables embedded I/P directly on the same terminal as the pneumatic valves. This reduces I/O count and supply lines. It simplifies installation and lowers the number of components mounted on the skid. Festo also features valve terminals with integrated flow controls to control process actuation speed. This eliminates installation time at the actuator, ensures longer process valve life, reduces chance of water hammer, and shortens the bill of materials.
The MPA-C clean design valve terminal is installed outside of the control cabinet closer to the point of process actuation. Positioning the MPA-C close to the actuation mounting helps speed up installation and reduces energy consumption. This valve terminal is easy to clean, highly corrosion resistant, sturdy, and extremely functional. This unit offers a modular single sub-base that houses a maximum of 32 valves or solenoid coils. The MPA-C is rated IP69K for maximum protection against water and is constructed of FDA certified materials. The unit is Fieldbus/Ethernet ready via the Festo CTEU module.
Festo is also showing the versatile VZXF angle seat valve for skid applications. The VZXF controls gaseous or liquid media in open and closed circuits. The angle valve is suitable for contaminated or gaseous media to a viscosity of 600mm2/s. It features a stainless steel design with high thermal resistance and N/C functionality, which creates reliable closing on pressure drops.
Hundreds of other products applicable to process control and a selection of active demonstrations are featured at the Festo booth. Festo applications professionals can answer visitors’ questions about the new Festo modular initiative for automating processing plants and how this approach utilizes performance data for preventative diagnostics, including:
- 16 bit analog I/O to provide data quickly and accurately for increasing skid uptime
- Internal diagnostics and conditioning monitoring to pinpoint and communicate locally or remotely exactly where a fault has occurred
- Compressed air flow meter to provide an advanced indicator of a failing actuator, broken tube, or inefficient scrub operation
Booth personnel will also be on hand to discuss Festo online design tools – tools such as CAD files and 3D models that reduce engineering time for skid control cabinets. These tools identify components most closely engineered to work together, ensuring faster manufacture, superior performance, and trouble free operation. Festo components operate within a cohesive control architecture – an architecture that features superior diagnostic capabilities.
A new Festo brochure, Best Practices to Reduce Cost and Improve Performance of your Filtration Skid, is now available for download. For more information on Festo solutions, visit Water Facility Automation on the Festo website and call 800-993-3786. Be sure to stop by the Festo Booth #1586 at ACE 2015.
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About Festo
Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process and industrial automation. For more than 40 years, Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment.
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Marketing Manager, Festo Corporation, http://www.festo.com/us, +1 (631) 404-3176, [email protected]
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