Contacless Transfer of Power and Switching Signals
In the sterilization machines of the Swiss company Hanag Steriltechnik AG, Turck’s inductive couplers transfer power and switching signals contactlessly – the ID of the IO-Link sensor is also used for the reliable identification of each container
The product portfolio of Swiss company Hanag Steriltechnik AG includes machinery for the treatment of caps and stoppers for the pharmaceutical industry. These are sterilized using different processes, which require the reliable identification of each container in the process. Where plug contacts were previously used for a long time, the company today uses a solution with contactless data and power transmission. This involves the use of an inductive coupler with the “application specific tag” of the IO-Link sensor to identify each container and ensure the correct position of the containers in transport trolleys at the transfer stations.
The company Hanag Steriltechnik AG, a company based in Switzerland, has its headquarters in Oberwil and is one of the most important Swiss suppliers in the field of plant and vessel construction. It has gained an excellent reputation internationally, thanks to its stopper and cap processing machines. The company primarily focuses its activities in the field of sterilization applications.
Sterilization process
The cap and stopper treatment process consists of the steps washing, sterilization, drying and cooling. The packaging material is filled in containers, which then run through the different process stations. The containers can be moved and turned in their trolley. The pharmaceutical manufacturer runs different programs for the different types of stoppers and caps. The customer therefore wanted the ability to identify containers at the individual stations. Hanag had previously solved this with a plug-in contact. This integrated a binary coding via which each container could be identified uniquely.
Eric Netzhammer, CEO of Hanag Steriltechnik AG, and his team wanted a contactless connection of the containers at the transfer stations. This saves the customer from having to connect the plugs.
Identification via IO-Link
The IO-Link standard provides for a free text field, the “application specific tag” (AST), for each IO-Link device. This can also be used to identify individual devices. The customer can thus identify containers at the particular stations, without having to use an additional RFID system. In all three lifting stations, the controller queries via the AST whether the correct packaging material is loaded. The customer’s S7200 controller does not enable the process until the content of the container corresponds with the formulation to be run.
IO-Link switch prevents operating errors
When the containers are transferred, the trolley is docked with two guides at the lifting column. This ensures the correct positions of the trolley and the inductive coupler. As the container in the trolley can be rotated, however, it must be ensured that it is located in the correct position for lifting or reuse after the process. For this Hanag installed a switch lug that dampens Turck’s inductive IO-Link sensor when the correct position is reached and thus triggers a signal.