The upgrade of Bosch Rexroth's valve terminal systems (VTS), including the release of a refined high flow (HF) series, means more compact, modular units that can be installed and expanded with greater ease. Available in South Africa through Tectra Automation, the new range gives Tectra a comprehensive range of control valves.
The previous, bulky VTS range had to be wired up and separately linked to cylinders, installation and configuration have now been significantly simplified. Within the last two years, the range has been expanded to include the HF04, the LP04 and the TC range of VTS. Mainly used in machines, jigs and fixtures, where there are a number of cylinders that need to be operated, both the HF04 and LP04 have been specifically developed for pneumatic valve terminal systems, which are suitable for use in the automation industry.
Applications with high flow requirements and space constraints would be suitable for the smallest component in the series, the HF04. Its manifold design uses aluminium end plates and reliable electrical connections, making the system insensitive to vibrations and temperature fluctuations.
The HF04 valve is suitable for various industries, including automation, general mechanics, paper manufacturing and printing. Even though both the LP04 and HP04 valves systems are compact, the flow rate is high and power consumption is still low. However, the LP04 has been designed with an additional sub plate, making it even more compact than the HP04. One system can have anything between four and 16 valves. VTS can be used in vacuum and process-control applications in the semiconductor and electronic industries.
Tectra Automation director, Emil Berning, points out that the first local LP04 valve contract, worth R50 000, will see the new German technology installed on computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The TC range has been designed to achieve high flow rates. Within the range, the TC 08 is able to attain an 800 litre per minute flow rate, while the TC 15 is capable of achieving a 1500 litres per minute.
VTS systems can operate with a bus system, a communication protocol that reduces the quantity of wiring used by combining them into one system. Options include Profibus, CAN Open, Interbus, Device Net and AS-i bus. By moving away from single components, installation time and costs of pneumatic components are significantly reduced.
A unique advantage offered by Bosch Rexroth's VTS range is the DDL system, which performs advanced diagnostic analysis. At production plants, it is essential to ensure that the systems function efficiently and accurately. As a result, in the event of a breakdown, relevant information is regarded as crucial as it forms part of the maintenance process. The DDL system facilitates the basic operating of the valve units while also offering detailed monitoring of the electrical control system.
The system does this by examining individual valves, using various criteria, such as tolerance of the supply voltage, recognition of the solenoid coil and short-circuit display. With this information, the control system is able to generate and display appropriate clear text messages. The DDL system is suitable for plant in which the bus master controls a number of valves from a central point. The product can be integrated into a valve system or sold as a separate unit.
For more information contact Emil Berning, technical director, Tectra Automation, +27 (0) 11 971 9400, [email protected], www.tectra.co.za
| Tel: | +27 11 971 9400 |
| Fax: | +27 11 971 9440 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.boschrexroth.africa |
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