IMI supports Beumer with energy efficient pneumatic system design

Beumer designs and delivers bespoke solutions for conveying, loading, palletising, packaging, sortation and baggage handling applications for customers worldwide. Building on a decade-long working relationship, IMI's Industrial Automation sector collaborated closely with Beumer's engineering team to support the development of a new pneumatic system for an automated packaging application, where consistent performance, repeatability and energy efficiency were critical requirements.

With Beumer requiring a 'plug-and-play' solution to further drive efficiencies across its line assembly, IMI's Industrial Automation engineers provided a comprehensive package of support including valve island configuration and pneumatic system design, together with bespoke cylinder assemblies, guidance on compressed air consumption and sizing of pneumatic components from the IMI Norgren portfolio based on process requirements.

The project focused on developing a new pneumatic system tailored to Beumer's specific application needs. IMI's Industrial Automation team supported the circuit design to meet cycle time requirements while ensuring critical safety features in the event of electrical or compressed air failure. Additionally, the team provided expertise in sizing cylinders based on load requirements through force calculations, specifying appropriate valve sizes, and recommending the maximum number of valves per inlet port on the valve islands. To further optimise the system, IMI's engineers addressed tubing dimensions, often challenging traditional oversizing practices to reduce energy waste.

Further recommendations included the principal build-up of supply and airlines to ensure proper drainage and prevent condensation accumulation, enhancing system reliability and longevity. The application required a compact and robust pneumatic solution capable of delivering accurate, repeatable motion within a high-throughput automated environment. From the outset, Beumer's technical team was keen to integrate IMI Norgren pneumatic products into the system architecture.

Testing support

A collaborative testing approach ensured that performance objectives were met. During the testing phase, IMI's Industrial Automation engineers visited Beumer's facilities to verify that the pneumatic systems were built according to recommendations and performed to satisfaction. This hands-on involvement allowed the team to fine-tune the pneumatic layout, optimise flow paths, and adjust control parameters, resulting in improved response times, system stability, and overall performance under demanding operating conditions.

Energy efficiency focus

Energy efficiency was a key performance indicator for the project. IMI's industrial automation system-level expertise enabled optimisation of air consumption without compromising speed or accuracy. By refining component selection and system design, the final solution achieved reduced compressed air usage while supporting faster and more consistent actuation.

From initial concept and system development through to delivery and post-sales technical support, IMI's Industrial Automation team and Beumer worked in close partnership to deliver a high-performing pneumatic solution aligned with the project's technical and commercial objectives.

By complementing Beumer's in-house engineering capabilities with holistic pneumatic system expertise, IMI's Industrial Automation sector helped ensure project milestones were met and performance targets achieved.

"This project demonstrates the value of a true engineering partnership," said Bjarne Staerkaer, Technical Consultant at IMI Industrial Automation. "By working closely with Beumer from the early design stages through to testing and optimisation, we were able to apply our pneumatic system expertise to help deliver a reliable, energy efficient solution that meets the demands of modern intralogistics applications."