Australian food and beverage industries have been recently challenged with increased demand. Existing processes have felt the pressures of the added workloads, and many are looking for new and innovative ways to upgrade their businesses into the future, without the high price tag.

Many sites are running on much older fieldbus technologies such as Device Net which has been superseded by new technologies. The other issue is finding the level of support for Device Net set ups, as suppliers within the industry are phasing out this level of support in a movement that almost is forcing businesses into new technology, whether they’re ready or not.

There’s no “one size, fits all”
Every manufacturer is unique in their needs and requirements, and considering new automation technology can sometimes feel overwhelming. Which fieldbus do you upgrade to, if at all, or how can you introduce smart devices without having to overhaul the entire network?

What is welcoming is that we’re saying goodbye to the days of traditional, bespoke system installations. The long drawn out process of commissioning customised panels, taking 16-weeks to deliver are behind us.

Today’s age of fast connection and single-touch operation capabilities with standard networks and systems, will benefit a food and beverage plant from day one because it will offer many features including:
• open network connectivity;
• real time diagnostics;
• expansion capabilities;
• flexible process control;
• automatic software updates; and
• remote operating functions.

Within the food & beverage industry, the key to finding the best automation solution is a thorough analysis of each individual part of the plant or installation.

By carrying out an in-depth analysis of the application, it can be determined if a centralised control system using non-intelligent nodes, will deliver the required performance.

Also, if the sheer size of the system means that the control has to be decentralised – using a fieldbus system working with field controls, intelligent valves and actuators.

Burkert’s range of hygienic equipment solutions for automation control
When considering upgrading your systems to a fieldbus network solution, you’re embracing the now and the future.

So it doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, it’s where you’re going and who you’re on that journey with.

In the context of Industry 4.0, demand for automated processes is increasing.
So too is the demand for systems with intelligent field devices that can continuously exchange large volumes of (digital) process, device and diagnostic data with the higher-level controller (PLC1).

The digitalisation of all production processes is leading to increased requirements with regard to digital data exchange between process valves and higher-level controllers/PLC.
In conjunction with Industry 4.0, Industrial Ethernet is also becoming increasingly popular.
Reasons for this include the ability to access field devices directly from the controller level as well as hassle-free device installation supported by integrated Ethernet interfaces.

However, a field device with a fully integrated Industrial Ethernet interface is still a relatively costly option for most applications. To allow customers to exploit the advantages of industrial Ethernet even without a fully-fledged Ethernet device, Bürkert’s new combination of büS as a sub-bus system with the gateway Type ME43 for connecting control heads and fit-for-purpose devices to the PLC using industrial Ethernet or fieldbus represents a cost-effective and solution.

Bürkert’s Type 8681 is equipped with a universal actuator adapter. This permits attachment to most hygienic process valves currently available on the market.
In combination with the gateway Type ME43, hygienic process valves can also be easily integrated in automation systems via Industrial Ethernet.

This control head is perfect for CIP applications, as we’ve experienced in Norco Dairy, who have utilised this decentralised technology in their new plant upgrade to control and manage their processes.

Bürkert’s Type 8619 multiCELL, multi-channel and multi-fucntion transmitter/controller the ideal device for measurement and control and as well dosing processes in applications of water treatment plants (like boiler, cooling tower or reverse osmosis systems) and food and pharma plants.

Sophisticated electronics and state of the art control algorithms ensure that optimum process control is maintained at all times with minimal operator intervention and achieving highest quality.

Bürkert’s mass flow meters and controllers ever extending range offers high accuracy and repeatability for gas dosing, fermentation and gax mixing processes.

In Type 8745, the thermal inline sensor is located directly in the main gas stream and therefore reaches very fast response times while causing a very low pressure drop. A direct-acting proportional valve as regulating unit guarantees high sensitivity.

Integrated PI controller ensures outstanding control characteristics of the MFC.
Bürkert’s Type 8098 FLOWave flowmeter is based on SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) technology and is mainly designed for applications with the highest hygienic demands.

FLOWave offers a range of integrated functions, including advantages such as flexibility, ease of cleaning, compact dimensions, lightweight design, easy installation and handling, and is compliant with numerous standards.

Optimal measurement results can be achieved with homogeneous liquids, free of air and solid particles. Integrated viscosity compensation can be used for liquids with higher viscosity.

Australian food and beverage manufacturers supported by German engineering
Bürkert has been supporting the essential industries of Australia for over 40 years. The company’s depth of knowledge for fit-for-purpose devices and networked structures is supported by local and global capabilities.