A Better Alternative!
There is a growing trend towards electrification and an ever-increasing demand for more energy-efficient alternatives to compressed air systems. The main factors for consideration when selecting the ideal alternative actuator type tend to be cost, risk, performance and availability.
Cost reduction
Electric valves offer significantly higher efficiency, and consequently a better energy balance, compared to pneumatic systems. The reduction to a single energy form results in cost savings through lower installation and maintenance requirements. Additionally, the system availability is increased, since potential faults are reduced.
Risk reduction
In the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries, the critical process steps require sterile compressed air. The generation of sterile compressed air together with the sterilising capability of the entire system must be taken into consideration. Electrical valves can eliminate the risk of contamination. In regard to industrial applications, if contaminated compressed air gets into the system or if there are fluctuations in the compressed air network, it can lead to irreparable malfunctioning of pneumatic components.
Performance increase
Thanks to their precise control systems with no overshooting and independence from the medium pressure, motorized valves are a fitting choice for control applications. In conjunction with an extremely high positioning accuracy, this leads to considerable increases in productivity. A wide range of parameterization and diagnostic facilities that form the basis for increasing digitalization are often part of electrical valves (industry 4.0 applications).
Availability
In many areas of application, there is simply no compressed air available for a wide variety of reasons. In contrast to this, electricity is practically ubiquitous – electrically operated valves can be used almost anywhere in the facility.
The right choice of valve
GEMÜ offers an extensive range of electric valves for a wide variety of applications.
The GEMÜ R629 eSyLite is a low-cost diaphragm valve for simple and cost-sensitive applications. It constitutes a cost-effective alternative to solenoid valves made of plastic or motorized plastic ball valves. Alternatively, GEMÜ eSyStep valves are designed for standard open/closed and simple control applications, featuring a compact spindle actuator with step motor and can be mounted with electrical position indicators or travel sensors.
For variable and complex open/closed and control applications, GEMÜ eSyDrive is more suitable. Designed on the basis of the hollow shaft principle in conjunction with technology that does not use brushes/sensors, the eSyDrive actuator sets new standards in terms of service life, compactness, actuating speed and energy efficiency. The self-locking actuator also offers a high level of reproducibility for positioning and is therefore ideal for use in control applications.
Thinking of switching from a compressed air system to an energy-efficient alternative? Get in touch to find out how we can help!
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YouTube Video: Commissioning GEMÜ eSyDrive: https://youtu.be/3jNx_mCgW6Y
