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Profibus-DP eases valve control

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 12, 2003

A new Profibus-DP version is the latest addition to Asco Joucomatic's range of Mega spool valve islands.

The flexibility of Asco Joucomatic's Mega spool valve islands to meet all OEM control needs from a single manifold platform has been improved further with the addition to the range of a new Profibus-DP version.

Like existing Interbus-S and DeviceNet equipped variants, the Mega Profibus-DP version is extremely easy to integrate into machines, improving competitiveness by reducing both the cost and the complexity of control installations.

OEMs employing the new Mega Profibus units have the capability to connect up to a maximum of 97 islands, each holding up to 16 monostable or bistable (3/2, 5/2 or 5/3) solenoid air operated valves, with space saving, low wattage (1.5W) push/pull coils.

The islands are easily connected to the fieldbus via two M12 connectors (one for power, 24V, one for the bus connection) and enjoy IP65 protection, allowing for direct connection onto machines in close proximity to pneumatic actuators.

As a result they fulfil automation requirements in industrial environments such as assembly, food processing, packaging, process control, textile and paper industries.

The reduced size, modularity, low weight, high flow rate (900 liyre/min) and connection via 6 or 8mm instant fittings, make the Mega valve islands the ideal product for installations where compactness and high performance are essential requirements.

In addition, much time and effort can be saved by the OEM as assembly of the Mega islands is achieved without tools: the different elements are simply clipped onto connecting rods.

The effectiveness of this procedure can be judged from the fact that it takes less than 20s to mount a spool valve on a Mega island.

Moreover, once complete, the assembly can be mounted directly onto what it is controlling, reducing the size of an installation, or mounted conveniently in a control panel on industry standard DIN rails.

The flexible design philosophy employed to create the Mega range offers the OEM and user the best possible range of connection options to meet almost all requirements.

In addition to fieldbus variants these include: the "Classic" connection with a size 15 connector, in a standard IP65 (Pg7P) version, or an IP65 or IP20 version with a LED diode and integral electric protection; Multipol IP20 or IP65 single, multi-wire connection, with sub-D coupling, for use with a PLC; connection with the AS interface network, using a vampire plug for simple and instant connections of flat profiled cables (this interface, with or without inputs, can supervise eight monostable or four bistable valves; and connection with the "intelligent" VCS valve connection system.

Compatible with standard communication protocols, such as Profibus-DP, Interbus-S and DeviceNet, this revolutionary system eliminates the need for cable stripping and fastening.

Comprising an interface, intelligent connectors and a flat profiled cable, it links solenoid air operated valves together in an easy, quick and economical manner.

The VCS cable is placed in a connector with a snap shut cover (one connector per valve).

Only one VCS interface is needed for up to 127 valve connectors and 254 inputs for a maximum distance of 2.5km.