The ThinkTop DeviceNet is designed to control the fluid handling process in hygienic applications across the dairy, food, beverage, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and many other industries.

• Reliable valve sensing and control
• Proven and inherently safe design
• Low total cost of ownership
• Watertight design
• Easy to operate

The ThinkTop DeviceNet valve sensing and control unit consists of a proven no-touch, set-and-forget sensor system with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solenoid valves, and valve control sensor board for connection to any programmable logic controller (PLC) system with a DeviceNet interface. It fits on all Alfa Laval hygienic valves; no adapter is required.

Installation is straightforward. No special expertise or tools are required. To initiate manual setup, simply press a push button startup sequence. Or set up without dismantling the control unit using the optional infrared (IR) keypad for remote control.

The sensor system accurately detects valve stem movement, the position of the valve at any given time, with an accuracy of ± 0.1mm through the use of microchip sensors. To locate the current valve position, sensor chips inside the sensor board calculate the angle between the axial magnetic field produced by an indication pin mounted on the valve stem. The solenoid valves receive signals from the PLC system to activate or deactivate the air-operated valve. It then transmits feedback signals indicating up to four valve positions and conditions back to the PLC system. In the control unit, up to three electric solenoid valves can physically convert compressed air into mechanical energy to activate or deactivate the pneumatic valve actuator.

Each control unit fits any Alfa Laval hygienic valve and provides a tolerance band for valves to prevent product contamination and failure. This eliminates the need to readjust the sensors and boosts productivity. LEDs conveniently display all the valve positions, solenoid activation, setup and local fault indication on the control unit.