Smart control valves thanks to IO-Link

Schubert & Salzer Control Systems will present IO-Link positioners for their pneumatic control valves at the ACHEMA 2022.

Valves that control process and auxiliary media reliably and precisely are an important component in the digitisation of process plants. Schubert & Salzer Control Systems are now offering the latest generation of their tried-and-tested 8049 digital positioner for pneumatic control valves with IO-Link. Important diagnostic data from controller and valve are thus available to plant operating companies. In addition, valve parameters such as dynamics, accuracy and characteristic curve can be simply adapted at any time without physical access. A single cable with an M12 plug bundles the positioning signal, position feedback, data transmission and even the power supply.

Solid advantages for every plant:

The integration of the international IO-Link industrial standard in its latest version 1.1.3 facilitates the installation and maintenance of the valves in complex plants. Additional device-specific software or hardware is not required. Incorrect connection is technically impossible due to the coded connecting plug. Even if a replacement should be necessary, this can be done without the need for specialists. The controller adopts the previously used parameterisation automatically by plug & play and is immediately ready for operation after self-calibration.

Predictive maintenance with extensive diagnostic data:

The status data provided non-cyclically via IO-Link significantly increase process reliability and plant uptime. Among other things, they enable the predictive planning of maintenance work. "Thanks to the integration of IO-Link, the data from the field level can be monitored continuously. Even the tiniest irregularities are thus noticeable at an early stage", says Peter Hofmann, product engineer at Schubert & Salzer Control Systems. "With the help of the status data, operating companies can react long before there are even any signs of an unplanned plant stoppage. The evaluation makes it easier for the user to estimate preventive maintenance requirements, to avoid a possible impending failure and to continuously optimise the control valve."

Schubert & Salzer Control Systems will present the IO-Link-compatible 8049 positioner to an expert audience for the first time at the ACHEMA 2022. The valve specialists will be available to answer questions about the IO-Link technology and its possible uses at Booth F46 in Hall 11.1 from 22nd to 26th August.