Energy efficiency modules by Festo optimize consumption of compressed air

Festo’s MSE6 series energy efficiency modules – from left to right, the new -D2M, new -C2M and the existing -E2M – form a comprehensive lineup of condition monitoring and leak detection devices that optimize compressed air usage for significant cost savings.

Festo Canada’s newest innovations are two intelligent energy efficiency modules: the MSE6-C2M and MSE6-D2M, built for energy conservation and early leak detection in pneumatic production. These condition-monitoring devices optimize compressed-air use during normal operations, while stopping or reducing consumption during scheduled stoppages as a further economy. Users can fully integrate them into machine control systems through fieldbus nodes, to exchange important energy-consumption and availability information cyclically regarding production.

Many features in one unit

The most fully featured module in the MSE6 series, the MSE6-C2M fully, automatically regulates compressed-air consumption of a pneumatic system. It combines a pressure regulator, on/off valve, flow and pressure sensors, and fieldbus communications in one unit. The integrated proportional pressure regulator ensures optimum production by regulating the pressure according to user specifications; when production stops, it shuts off the compressed-air supply for a certain time period while maintaining sufficient pressure in the idling system for immediate restart. In standby mode, both this device and the MSE6-D2M detect leaks by evaluating pressure-drop rate.

Typical solutions for air-loss detection are reactive, such as relying on pressure sensors on air-preparation units to send signals that pressure has dropped too much. This often shuts down systems until maintenance or engineering diagnoses fix the issue. But these Festo energy efficiency modules constantly monitor air flow and volumetric consumption, while detecting anomalies far sooner. So users can conduct repairs before problems become great, during scheduled downtime.

Users can also incorporate the C2M energy efficiency modules into air-preparation environments, to create service units that perform functions like soft start, filtering, and exhaust/quick exhaust. The D2M model is smaller and economical, acting as an efficient extension module of the C2M to provide coverage of a second supply stream; the user must connect it to the C2M or a CPX terminal. Both versions can be installed in existing or new systems.

The C2M module received the Gold Medal in the pneumatics category at this year’s Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program (LEAP) awards. Judges were impressed at the unit’s ability to leverage historical info and mine data to offer situational awareness.

To learn more, contact Festo.

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