Pneumatic networks still use the bus
In 2010, the global market for pneumatic valve blocks increased 18.4 per cent to reach $861.5 million, which represented over 1 billion blocks reaching the international market. Almost half of these products included a facility to be networked. However, according to a recent market report from IMS Research, for every valve block networked with an Ethernet-based protocol, nine were networked with a fieldbus.
The advantages of closed-loop communication and intelligent feedback have become increasingly desirable for pneumatic set-ups, states IMS Research, and have enabled engineers to reduce air wastage and provide system monitoring and diagnostics. However, the absence of an industry standard network protocol leaves the user with a wide variety of options from which to choose, ranging from supplier specific, proprietary fieldbuses, to universally compatible Ethernet TCP/IP.
Research manager Rob Carter commented: “In 2010, Profibus was used for over quarter of all valve block networking applications and DeviceNet almost a fifth. These two supplier-championed fieldbus protocols are currently each more prevalent than the combined variants of Ethernet, which account for only 14 per cent total.”
Carter continued: “The additional complexity of Ethernet variants far outweigh the advantages of its higher speed communication in pneumatics systems, where actuation speeds are determined to a greater extent by air flow rates. The comparable simplicity of many fieldbus protocols makes this a more desirable option in most stand-alone systems, limiting Ethernet use to instances of large scale networking from factory floor to control room.”
While Ethernet is still expected to remain the fastest growing networking protocol for pneumatic valve blocks, IMS Research reports that by 2015 it is expected to account for only 18 per cent of global pneumatic networking applications, still a long way behind fieldbus technologies.
Parkair given own online hub
The pneumatic and hydraulic reseller brand Parkair is being given its own online hub in the form of a brand new website at www.parkair.uk.com. The site has been developed specifically to promote the company’s dedicated resellers, products and services across the UK.
Parkair marketing manager Phil Brown commented: “We believe that creating an online hub for the brand will boost awareness of our sales network across the UK and significantly increase demand on behalf of our resellers. Extending our online marketing strategy to include our resellers should bring more business directly to their door and generate increased returns in terms of SEO, sales and local and national awareness.”
The informative and easy to navigate website will incorporate an interactive map and distributor locator, a facility for visitors who are not resellers to apply to become a Parkair distribution partner, order a catalogue, pre-order the 2012-2013 catalogue, view the whole Parkair catalogue online and request a visit from a local representative.
The website is to become the online home of the Parkair brand, improving awareness of all dedicated Parkair distributors and increasing traffic to the lesser-known reseller websites, helping partners to generate further growth in the process. The new Parkair brand catalogue will be launched in January 2012. The catalogue will feature many pneumatic and hydraulic brands and over 30,000 high quality products including a number of new developments.
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