Wasser, Alkohol, Glycerin, Tenside, Öl- und Essigsäure, Natrium-und Kaliumhydroxid uvm. – für die Herstellung von Autokosmetikprodukten wird eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Produkte gelagert, transportiert, vermischt und abgefüllt. Dies erfordert komplexe Lösungen der Prozessautomation. Einen großen Schritt in die Zukunft hat dabei das kroatische Unternehmen für Autokosmetik AlfaCar unternommen. Beim Aufbau einer neuen Produktionsstätte wurde der gesamte Produktionszyklus vollständig automatisiert – vom Rohmaterial bis zur Abfülllinie der Fertigprodukte. Einen Schwerpunkt bildete die durchgehende Automatisierung der Prozessventile.

Customised complete solution

To address the challenge, the company worked together with the system integrator Arp Lučko and Festo. It would be Festo’s role to project manage the automation of the process valves. To ensure fast integration into the new system and maximum reliability in the future production process, customised complete solutions were supplied that cover the entire range, from the process valve units to the valve terminals. When selecting the necessary components, particular attention had to be paid to the potentially explosive environment.

Reliability counts

The communication between a large number of different automated ball valves and the new plant’s higher-level control system was also decisive for optimum process automation. This requirement was met by a reliable solution with six valve terminals type VTUG with PROFINET bus connection. More than 200 ball valves from different manufacturers can be fully automated in this way. Using a single source for the ball valve solution took the pressure off both Alfa Car and Arp Lučko when it came to designing and installing the new system. The extensive coordination of the various process valve suppliers, which Festo handled as part of its project management brief, also made the project easier.

ALFA CAR d.o.o.
Donja Dubrava
Croatia