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Modularity Saves Weeks in Supply and Makes Site Work Safer and More Efficient
Modular design of products is a powerful way to cut costs, speed delivery and increase flexibility. AUMA actuators have modules that can remain separate right up to the installation stage, potentially cutting weeks from both the delivery schedule and time spent on site.
An AUMA actuator has three basic components: the electrical connector, which takes the form of a large plug and socket; the control unit; and the main body, incorporating the valve mounting, gearbox, motor and handwheel.
On-site modularity allows each of these components to be routed to the appropriate subcontractor. The valve mounting, motor and gearbox can go straight to the valve supplier or pipework contractor as soon as they are ready, without waiting for the control specialists. The control unit can go to the control subcontractor, and the electrical connector to the electrical subcontractor. Allowing the wiring, programming and commissioning to overlap can save many weeks on tight project timescales. On-site cabling becomes a plug-and-play operation.
Modular assembly also keeps other site work to a minimum, saving time and improving safety especially when working in confined spaces or at heights. Modular design eases installations in confined spaces – and helps contractors work around any unforeseen problems – because each of the major components can be installed in any of four rotational positions, giving a total of 64 configurations. For example, different control heads, whether mechanical or digital, can be bolted to different drive units. In many applications ‘control’ can be left to the PLC, and all that is required from the actuator is a motor and gearbox, so AUMA’s approach means that an ‘appropriate controls solution’ is supplied.
Where space is really tight or where harsh environmental conditions such as high levels of heat or vibration exist, a pre-wired umbilical cable allows the control unit to be positioned up to 100 m from the valve, which also means that a single operator can attend to them, even if the actuators themselves are mounted in a hazardous or confined area.
Valves and actuators are heavy, and by mounting and moving the components separately the need for a sling or additional manpower can be avoided.
Modularity is just one aspect of the way in which an operator can benefit from the expertise of the world leader in electrical valve actuation.