Decentralized automation of valves in the hygienic area
For better control of productivity - Cooperation with ENILBIO
While companies may be attracted by the innovative nature of any new offer available to their market, it is sometimes the tried-and-tested solutions that are preferred, thanks to the guarantees they provide. ENILBIO, the National School of the Dairy Industry and Biotechnology, has chosen a proven solution from Bürkert to ensure the homogenisation of the control on one of its sites: the universal control head type 8681. Harmonisation of the 330 control heads leads to simplified commissioning and maintenance, thus perpetuating the long-term relationship between ENILBIO and Bürkert.
The need for technical expertise for a project to standardise site management
ENILBIO, the National School of Dairy Industry and Biotechnology, has the mission of training professionals and students from the agri-food industry (dairies, cheese dairies, etc.), while ensuring the production of certain products (cheese, beer, etc.). This activity has a very important place in production at ENILBIO, with operational needs that impose a certain level of demand upon the technology suppliers upon which the school relies.
As part of the renewal of its control head fleet, ENILBIO expressed a need to ensure the decentralised automation of hygienic valves, with the aim of improving management of the automation by moving from wired communication to ASI (AS-Interface) communications, i.e. better control of its production activity.
The school therefore called for tenders to identify the ideal partner for such management. It was with Bürkert that ENILBIO found the solution to homogenise control of its entire site thanks to a single product: the 8681 universal head, offering all the benefits expected by ENILBIO: improved automation of hygienic valves with a solution that integrates into the existing system, automatic configuration, instant visual diagnostics or even good cleanability of the product through a hygienic kit that can be adapted to the pneumatic actuator.
The search for quality, in product and in relationships
This market-approved equipment is used by many players in the food industry, such as Nestlé, Lactalis, Fromageries Bel and Teisseire. The quality of this product lies in the acknowledged expertise of Bürkert, which has developed a solution that meets the expectations of the market in every respect:
- protection class 3 in accordance with DIN EN 61140, an ASI protocol (which has become standard at Bürkert)
- a robust inductive rod made entirely of stainless steel for longer service life
- a visual diagnosis of the state of the valve that can be seen from a very long distance (100m)
- or even personalised training for the technical team, as well as for trainees.
ENILBIO today values not only the observance of technical criteria by Bürkert, but also the quality of the relationship between customer and his technology supplier. The respect for the specifications, the reactivity, or the can-do approach during their exchanges are examples of elements at the heart of the human relationship that has been built up between ENILBIO and Bürkert.
"We have always discussed our deployment plans in person. For us, this is a prerequisite for maintaining good relations on a daily basis and moving forward effectively."
ENILBIO and Bürkert already had a first collaboration at this site for the supply of instruments with solutions for measuring conductivity, flow meters and with indicators/transmitters for a CIP application, a control system with pneumatic solutions for control heads (type 8681) to allow the proper operation of hygienic valves.
Control head for decentralized automation of hygienic process valves
- Universal attachment for hygienic process valves
- Contactless position measurement system with 3 switching points (Teach-In function)
- Coloured status display
- Manual override operative with closed housing
- AS-Interface, IO-Link, büS/CANopen
A successful project that opens up perspectives for the future
Both the technical expertise of Bürkert and the quality of the relationships are key factors for the success of this new project to homogenize the control of the ENILBIO business. They are enriched by other services such as the training of school staff, which is an important advantage. In this context, Bürkert accompanies ENILBIO through a test for the same control head in the IO-Link version.
Do you have a similar problem or are you looking for a reliable partner in the field of fluidics? Contact us for your project. We look forward to your challenge.