Digital hydraulics improve efficiency and reliability in production facilities
Digital Hydraulic Pressure Control Unit
Hydraulics improve efficiency and reliability
In the production of composite-based friction discs, heat-resistant carbon friction linings are pressed together with steel discs under high pressure. The process consists of a rapid traverse and a pressure maintenance process and was originally realized with a single motor-swivel pump-valve unit.
However, one hydraulic valve for pressure supply was showing heavy wear and had to be replaced regularly. This led to additional component and downtime costs.
Gemeinsam mit Miba Frictec GmbH entwickelte das Linz Center of Mechatronics (LCM) eine innovative Lösung: die Digital Pressure Control Unit (DPCU). Dieses hydraulische Add-on ergänzt den bestehenden Hauptantrieb und ermöglicht eine effizientere, robustere und nachhaltigere Prozesssteuerung.Moderne Condition-Monitoring-Systeme müssen häufig widersprüchliche Anforderungen erfüllen: Einerseits sollen Komponenten möglichst präzise überwacht werden, andererseits müssen die eingesetzten Methoden effizient, robust und möglichst wenig invasiv sein.
Requirements
- Development of a hydraulic add-on: Digital Pressure Control Unit (DPCU)
- Symbiotic integration into the existing main drive
- Use of digital hydraulic switching valve technology
- Electronics and control logic for fast and reliable valve control
- Electronics and control logic for fast and reliable valve control
- Development of the DHCU controller for digital hydraulic control
Solution
- Significantly higher reliability of the production system
- Extended service life of hydraulic components
- Over 80 % lower energy consumption due to reduced leakage losses
- Significantly lower noise levels in the production hall
- Resource-saving operation thanks to reduced hydraulic losses
- Savings on energy costs and up to 10 t CO₂ per year
SuccessStory “Digital hydraulic drive unit”
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Bernd Winkler
Business Area Manager
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Digital Hydraulic Pressure Control Unit
The Digital Hydraulic Pressure Control Unit improves efficiency and reliability in production systems. With digital hydraulics, the pressure process can be controlled more precisely, more energy-efficiently and with a longer service life.
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