28 March, 2024

Meeting the demand for more complex process control systems

01 April, 2016

Process control systems in almost every industry are becoming more complex; they are subject to greater scrutiny due in part to the demand for improved efficiency, regulatory compliance and higher levels of automation and plant integration. The need for bespoke or low volume system design is also growing as a result. Bürkert has addressed this challenge by developing the Systemhaus approach, where regional technology solutions centres sit between the sales offices and larger-scale manufacturing facilities, solving problems and building innovative systems on-demand.


Food and pharmaceutical safety

Neil Saunders, UK general manager for Bürkert, commented: “The market for small volume, specifically tasked control systems is certainly growing and the operational environments in which this equipment is working are complex and governed by a considerable amount of legislation such as ATEX or food and pharmaceutical safety and cleanliness standards for example. End users realise that transferring the responsibility of meeting these demands to a trusted supplier can reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies.

“The diversity of requirements and the global appetite for these systems means that manufacturers need to take a new approach in order to meet demand. Bürkert manufactures over 100,000 different products for example, typically valves, actuators, sensors, controllers and combined devices. Applying these products to scenarios that require specialist assemblies requires skill and experience as well as an imaginative approach, but without the volume constraints of large scale production runs. This is where we use our Systemhaus network.”

The definition of a bespoke control system means that the designers have to start from the ground up, working closely with the client to establish what will be delivered by the new system and how best to achieve it. Often existing technology and components will have to be integrated with unique parts and custom designs in order to achieve the best solution.

The principle of outsourcing this type of project is considered by the vast majority of OEMs as an essential part of manufacturing strategy that allows them to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global market. In practical terms this strategy can deliver a number of improvements such as reducing supply chain management costs while improving production agility and the use of internal resources.

Jens Fuhrmann, general manager at Bürkert’s Dortmund Systemhaus, said: “Modern process control systems can encompass a huge range of parameters, deliver micron levels of accuracy and repeat millions of cycles, all the while recording data for standards compliance or historic analysis. However, designing, building and delivering a new process control system requires considerable expertise and flexibility, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the industry standards and specifications.

“The most effective way of delivering a bespoke project is to assign a team that contains all the necessary skills and expertise to design, simulate, prototype, construct and test the finished product. Working closely with the client, this team has the ability to ensure the most efficient methods are used to develop an idea into the completed design.




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