The new JSY5000-H valve manifold from SMC Corporation is designed with the food and beverage sectors in mind. It features a smooth surface, large radii and is free of crevices and contamination traps to make the cleaning process faster and more effective.
This IP69K rated valve differentiates itself in the marketplace thanks to its high flow rate, low power consumption and IO-Link point-to-point communication capability - bringing a new level of control to production in wet process areas subject to high pressure CIP and decontamination.
The new series will be showcased at this year’s AUSPACK 2022 exhibition, which Paul Grantham, Global Account Manager for SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand (ANZ) believes it’s the ideal platform to officially launch this product. “There are numerous prerequisites when adopting automation for stringent industry sectors such as these. These include an IP69K protection rating, FDA approved external materials, NSF-H1 food-grade grease and a clean surface design to avoid the accumulation of solvents and wash liquids whilst ensuring that the produce is not introduced to any unsafe contaminants.”
However, modern food and drink plants also need to meet various performance demands to stand-out in a globally competitive marketplace. “For instance, a valve with a large flow rate will increase the number of cycles, while lowering power consumption driving down energy bills.”
Wide range of applications
All types of machines and systems are set to benefit from the five-port SMC JSY5000-H, including those forming part of production, filling, and packaging lines, as Paul explains: “The JSY5000-H not only offers power consumption as low as 0.1 W (thanks to a power-saving circuit), but also a large flow rate of 1600 l/min – all from a lightweight and compact dimensional envelope. This capability contrasts with many existing high flow rate valves that require more power and space, both of which are pain points for food and beverage facilities.”
Another issue is that of communications.
Many food and beverage facilities still rely on electrically complex solutions with excessive wiring that deliver insufficient data to improve the application’s control and performance level.
“Again, the new SMC JSY5000-H confines this issue to the history books by offering IO-Link point-to-point communication, driving savings through reduced installation and set-up time, along with less wiring, connectors, and auxiliary equipment. Most notably, however, IO-Link communication allows access to all numerical values in the valve, as well as the remote control of industrial networks (users can adjust and check parameters from anywhere). In turn, plants enjoy better control of the application, more valuable data, and on-board product diagnostics.”
Ready-to-use
This cost-effective, easy-to-clean manifold (also available in a single valve) is entirely safe for use in food production and processing areas, including those where aggressive cleaning process are used. All of the valve’s metal parts are made from 316 stainless steel, thus delivering superior anti-corrosion performance.
Paul adds that plants with valves installed far from their equipment or even inside cabinets are likely suffering from difficult maintenance, poor equipment control and greater expenditure on air lines. “However, with the SMC JSY5000-H it is possible to eliminate all these issues. This advanced new valve manifold can function up close to food and drink processing activities, helping to push performance and control to new levels” Paul concludes.