Controls News 13
18
Main theme: Lean automation |
Products
Since summer 2011, pilot installations for a new type
of communication between control technology de-
vices have been running. For the first time therefore,
the new Saia® PCD1 line now has the «Saia-S-Link»
option. S-Link stands for Supply Link. The 24-volt
supply cable between devices is also used for data
communication. There is no longer any need for a
separate RS485 or Ethernet cable for communica-
tions between Saia automation devices.
This is an absolute novelty in an industrial-quality
automation system. All devices are plugged into the
same voltage supply, which also carries communica-
tion. For further information see page 90 of Control
News 13.
Lean products: Examples
Lean automation sets itself an ambitious target: with half the number of qualified
personnel, it should be possible to double automation at no extra cost. We have
committed ourselves to lean concepts and aims throughout our company. This is most
apparent in the type of products we produce for automation technology. A small
selection of new products and development projects is presented below. They are a
powerful demonstration of how we are working to promote lean automation.
Author: Jürgen Lauber
Example 1: Lean communication between controllers
Saia® S-Link: Thanks to data communication via the 24-volt supply cable, no additional cables,
plans, special material, training etc. are needed.
The Saia®S-Link options
module for Saia®PCD1
System picture
S-Energy manager
5.7"
with bus-coupled
energy meters
«
Out of the box» technology
can be used instantly:
just unpack, install, and use,
without engineering or
programming.
With the Saia® Energy Manager and associated bus-
based energy counters, Saia-Burgess has created
the perfect lean monitoring and control system. The
system was launched on the market in 2010. It was
even sold via a webshop – with remarkable success.
The first 20 «pilot purchasers» commissioned the sys-
tem practically on their own and to their complete
satisfaction. We surveyed the first 20 purchasers by
telephone or in person and received very positive
feedback about this lean system. Everyone managed
to cope without any specific training. A system that is
easy to get up and running is not in itself lean. Sim-
plicity alone is not enough, just a necessary founda-
tion. The decisive factor is the system’s ability to have
sufficient basic functionality to achieve «Basic Fit»
status rapidly. At the same time, it must be so flexible
and open that «Perfect Fit» status can be achieved
with certainty for all user groups and requirements.
Example 2: A dedicated device that is freely programmable and expandable
Lean: Everyone can use it to produce solutions quickly and reliably. «Basic Fit» status can be attained
immediately and everything is in place for «Perfect Fit» automation.
When it comes to energy saving, it goes without say-
ing that «fat, complex» technology has no place. It
must be lean. The system should cost
little right up to final installation and
existing staff must not need any spe-
cial knowledge to operate it. At the
same time it must be adaptable
and extensible, because the best
ways of sustainably improving
energy efficiency can only be
identified
when
data has been col-
lected over a long
period of time.
Saia®S-Link: Power + Data
24
VDC/
24
VAC
220
VAC
Schematic diagram of“Saia-S-Link”:
System design with Saia®PCD1.
Communication happens without a dedicated cable connection.
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