SIL Advancement From AUMA Actuators

Online, August 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The development enhances application of AUMA's modular actuation technology, which is widely adopted in safety-related systems.

In safety critical applications, the operation of actuators is frequently linked to significant additional expenditure and effort for safety related system planning and installation. The integral module, located within AUMA's AC actuator controls, addresses this providing a simple and effective solution comprising transistors, resistors and capacitors.

AUMA's AC actuator control advancement supports latest automation technology developments, including asset management, which require increasingly intelligent field devices with comprehensive software-based diagnostic functions. The new hardware-based integral SIL module improves the SIL capability of the devices. In standard operation mode the SIL module is inactive. If the safety related function is required, the module takes over actuator operation management: diagnostic functions and feedback signals remain available in this situation.

Determined safety figures for the actuators allow implementation in SIL 2 applications. SIL 3 can also be supported if these are designed in redundant architecture (1oo2).

AUMA is a leading manufacturer of modular electric actuators, actuator controls and gearboxes for the automation of industrial valves worldwide. The company is approaching its 50th anniversary in 2014 resulting in five decade's experience in R&D and manufacture of electric multi-turn and part-turn actuators. The SME manufactures in two German factories. Two service centres in Cologne and Magdeburg have been added to AUMA's facilities to provide dedicated customer service support. A worldwide distribution and service network guarantees that customers in all continents are supported locally by an AUMA representative. The company has 2,400 members of staff worldwide.

AUMA was established in Ostfildern-Nellingen in Germany in 1964 and in 1972, Muellheim became the company's headquarters. Continued global growth for the AUMA Group has resulted in 19 subsidiaries and representation in every continent.

AUMA - leading manufacturer and global supplier of modular electric actuators