Position feedback for process valves has always been one of those difficult to handle issues. The initial way was to have only visual indication of valve position which was very problematic as there was no electrical connection to the process and no way to control it.
Then, the practice of mounting a mechanical box on the actuator which would give two positions, opened and closed which is still in use today but all so fiddly to mount with the usual mechanical problems, they often break. Then, a better solution was to offer the same feedback but with solid state proximity sensors that would never break down.
Now, ifm has the evolution of the actuator valve with feedback at a full 360-degree with 0.1-degree increments.
This now gives the plant continuous position feedback and diagnostics, ranging from simple end position monitoring to continuous position feedback in combination with IO-Link and the corresponding possibilities of flexible parameter setting and data acquisition. This now opens up new markets concerned with Industry 4.0.
Key features of the new MVQ101
• Valve condition monitoring and support during error diagnostics
• Preventative maintenance planning
• Full digitisation of the valve movement
• Higher plant up-time
• Continuous position feedback
• Individual switching windows can be set
• Highly visible status LED’s for increased effect from a distance
• The valve position can also be detected when disconnected from power
• Diagnostic functions via IO-Link
• Temperature and time monitoring
• Cycle counter
Diagnostic functions
The IO-Link communication interface allows the identification of different wear conditions. On the one hand, the sensor features seal monitoring indicating a change of the closed position, which can point to deposits or wear of the seal, for example. On the other hand, the different positions can be counted and the time taken can be measured. The types of industries that will need all this functionality of valve positioning are food and beverage manufacturing, dairies, breweries, soft drinks. Water and waste water not only for water authorities but local waste water for factories to know the valve position and the valve health.
Pneumatic bulk material conveying, manufacture of paper products. Example applications, annually maintenance activities at a breweries replace more 2,000 seals, waste water with blockage due to cellulose deposits, adhesion, corrosion and seal damage.