New pneumatic valve system with embedded wireless connectivity

Emerson has introduced a new wireless automatic recovery module (ARM) for its AVENTICS™ G3 electronic fieldbus platform. The company says that it makes it easy for machine builders and technicians to perform pneumatic valve system commissioning and diagnostics from a mobile phone, tablet or laptop computer.

Emerson claims that the AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platform is the first in the industry to offer wireless technology that puts valve system configuration and diagnostics at the control engineer´s fingertips. It further states that the new arrival will help manufacturers reduce production downtime and simplify valve system commissioning, whilst creating a path for using diagnostics/prognostics for analytics as part of an expanded intelligent device programme with IIoT capability.

AVENTICS new wireless ARM module and G3 fieldbus platform are said the be well suuited to pneumatic valve system applications in the automotive, food and beverage, tyre, packaging and metalworking industries. The wireless ARM module offers users easy access to the AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platforms' diagnostic and commissioning capabilities via an internal Wi-Fi access point and mobile website — even when the valve system is located inside a machine or on a ceiling. It also offers , says Emerson, the visual benefits of a hard-wired human machine interface (HMI) at lower cost and with higher flexibility. The wireless ARM module generates error notifications for alarms, voltage levels, short circuits, module errors, open load errors and distribution errors to reduce system downtime.

A small device footprint is a key feature, as is the ability to connect easily to the AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platform in the space of a jumper clip says Emerson. It features three power settings (for low, medium or high-distance signals) to ensure safe and secure access to data , regardless of where the valve system is mounted. Additional security benefits include a wireless signal that can be turned off during configuration, multiple password options, and diagnostic and commissioning information provided with no control capability.

The wireless ARM module is compatible with Ethernet/IP DLR, and PROFINET protocols, with additional protocols being targeted for future release. The wireless ARM module also protects the AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platforms' configuration information from a critical failure, including all settable node and attached I/O module parameters. Emerson also has introduced an upgraded ARM clip for the AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platform that is  retrospectively compatible with existing ARMs and G3 fieldbus platforms. The ARM clip is said to improve system reliability by protecting configuration information from critical valve system failure. 

AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platform has electronic parameters and settings which are automatically stored in the ARM´s non-volatile memory and then the ARM is automatically disconnected from power, to ensure stored information is not erased during a power spike or critical failure. A replacement G3 fieldbus communication node can automatically download the required parameters from the ARM module, says Emerson, to enable the valve system and production line to quickly resume operation without the need for re-commissioning by a control engineer, offering true plug and play capability. The compact ARM module is said to be easy to install in the space of an AVENTICS G3 fieldbus platform´s jumper clip without having to change the mounting. For more information, click here.