To prepare industrial vacuum users for the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 scenarios, Atlas Copco has developed the innovative HEX@GRID control platform. The central multi-pump controller has a multitude of intelligent functions and sets new standards in terms of connectivity and energy efficiency.
Reduced Costs for operation and maintenance
In terms of optimised operating processes, users have the opportunity to improve their vacuum performance. In addition, costs can be saved with the HEX@GRID because a properly tuned vacuum system is easier and more cost effective to operate and maintain.
Values in real time on the terminal
This allows customers to operate their systems from a single source, regardless of location: For example, if several components of a vacuum system with variable speed control (VSD) have to keep the pressure constant. With the help of the HEX@GRID’s optional 10-inch HMI interface, users get a complete insight into the central vacuum system. The individual, intuitive user interface allows the values of the system components to be entered and monitored in real time via laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Checks become a finger exercise
Thanks to the full connectivity of the HEX@GRID, updates and new functions can also be downloaded directly. A notification function on the selected end device always keeps users up to date. Further advantages: Regular checks of the vacuum system become an easy finger exercise, and calibration also becomes easier. If required, the user can add schedules, plan actions and thus secure the entire process. With the help of the central setpoint control, the vacuum system can be operated in a stable and intelligent way.
Maintenance intervals are optimized
With LINK control, the user has the advantage of operating the vacuum pumps as 1 virtual machine. Depending on the process, these pumps are started one after the other at 60%, each time the first pump acting as the VSD leader is reaching full capacity. Once all follower pumps are at 60% and the leader pump runs out of capacity, these follower pumps can increase their capacity in steps of 10% as 1 machine. For processes with a predefined operating time, the provision of reserve pumps is crucial. The LINK control coordinates the use of backup pumps to optimise maintenance intervals.
Master pump compensates for fluctuations in demand
The standard version of the HEX@GRID platform controls up to eight pumps. It has virtual machine control and thus the same working principle as the LINK where we have a leader pump adapting VSD to the demand and follower pumps working as 1 within the 60-100% capacity range. The bottom line is that this can lead to a reduction in energy consumption of up to 10 % compared to conventional sequencers. In addition, the operating hours of different pumps in a network can also be balanced out. The tip of the technological iceberg however is the Optimizer control algorithm. Each individual pump in a vacuum system has a different specific energy at different speeds and inlet pressures. HEX@GRID uses that information to continually optimizes the speed of each of those individual pumps by calculating the most energy efficient way to control the entire system based on the demand. As an addition up to 20 pumps can be controlled by the Optimizer control.
Click on the link below to know more about the HEX@ GRID
Brochure HEX@GRID