Optimisation of maintenance intervals through conditioning
Bürkert as a reliable channel partner of the Meiji Corporation
The Japanese economy is increasingly facing the challenge of declining birth rates and an ageing population. The Meiji Corporation, a manufacturer of dairy products in the food industry – a core area of the manufacturing sector – has therefore been looking at how it can future-proof its operations in the face of a shrinking labour force. An analysis was carried out and various measures were identified – including the optimisation of valve maintenance. Meiji decided in favour of Bürkert’s IO-Link control heads (Port Class A and B for 2/2-way and 3/2-way valves).
Digitalisation of valves is inevitable
To optimise valve maintenance, the state of each valve must be determined using numerical data
- Sensors are required to detect wear
- The numerical values must be recorded electronically on a regular basis
- Conventional analogue cabling is too complicated and involves high installation costs
- Digitalisation is required
- IO-Link technology is ideal as it is available from a large number of suppliers
- Bürkert given the nod as the reliable channel partner to meet this challenge
Reasons for choosing IO-Link technology and details of the data that Meiji collects in relation to this
Bürkert offers numerous solutions for the digitalisation of valve controls. In the end, the decision was made was to go for Type 8691 and 8681 control heads with IO-Link communication. In opting for these, Meiji took into account, among other factors, the significant increase in the use of nodes in recent years, the perceived acceleration of implementation by major beverage manufacturers and the expansion of IO-Link specifications for sensors. Meiji has now started to collect data on the number of actuators and the number of open/close switching cycles over time in the new plant. In parallel, Meiji has started laboratory tests to simulate the accelerated wear of the valves. Other data that could be useful in the future, such as operating time, can also be recorded through digitalisation.
Expectations for the future
By digitalising the valves in its plant, Meiji hopes to optimise valve maintenance. In this process, Meiji learned a lot about various digitalisation factors, such as selecting IO-Link masters and minimising wiring. These insights also allow the company to more accurately calculate investment and operating costs for future digitalisation projects.
Contributing to the quality of Meiji products
The investments in optimising maintenance not least also contribute to increasing product quality. In milk production, Meiji relies on state-of-the-art production methods that utilise the advantages of nitrogen. The company also uses Bürkert mass flow controllers. Our customers also continue to trust in our Type 2000 ELEMENT on/off control valves, which have been tried and tested for many years.
Cooperation with Bürkert
The partnership with Bürkert began around 20 years ago when our Type 2000 angle seat valve was used in the new plant. Meiji is one of the biggest users of angle seat valves in Japan. The company is expected to continue to work with Bürkert as a reliable channel partner as it develops its manufacturing methods and operations with IO-Link specifications in the new plant.
