PECM Issue 47 2020 | Page 9

For PVA Control , conventional housing solutions are usually custom-built by an external specialist , a slow and expensive process . It includes the positioning of posts , the attachment of panels chosen in line with the specific use case , and the application of a powder coating . The company can now reap the rewards of its new modular enclosure system , which not only improves the installation speed , it also delivers greater flexibility . Once the mechanical design of the plant is complete , the next step is to define the appearance of the system as a whole – specifically , the outer dimensions and therefore the size of the housing .
To this end , PVA Control uses suitable standard components with Rittal pitch patterns for enclosures 1000mm and 800mm wide . The aim is to create a continuous housing with side panels and doors wherever access is needed , for example for maintenance .
The housing for the MOV 743 plant comprises a total of 12 individual enclosures and the benefits of this new approach are considerable . Ordering enclosures and accessories from Rittal ’ s catalogue or online shop is quick and easy . Plus , using attractively priced standard products cuts costs and the enclosures offer multiple assembly and installation options .
“ The VX25 accessories and frame profiles mean we can install components virtually anywhere , allowing us to easily attach , for instance , pipe brackets or cable clamps . We are pleased to have any opportunity to flexibly add something ,” explains Kaiser .
Moreover , the simple machining of sheet metal for flat parts such as doors and side panels – for example , when drilling holes or creating cut-outs for fan-and-filter units – is a real accelerator .
Furthermore , the enclosure technology can be integrated into the development of the plant itself ; in other words , the housing can “ expand ” as the amount of equipment “ expands ”. Once the plant has been preassembled , additional enclosures are easy to add-on , for example , when a cable duct needs to be routed along the top of the housing .
“ If this takes too much time , it is a disaster , because the team cannot make progress with their work tasks ,” Kaiser explains .
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION MADE SIMPLE The enclosures also streamline the installation and removal of doors and side panels .
Once the equipment is placed within the enclosure frames , the doors and side panels can be quickly and easily added during the customer acceptance process . VX25 enclosures are designed so that this can be done just one person without any tools ; the door is simply placed on its hinges .
“ The installation of doors and side panels for this system is typically complete within an hour ,” Kaiser advises .
Without this modularity , assembling and dismantling the entire plant would be considerably more difficult for PVA TePla .
Standardisation gives the engineering company a great deal of freedom , and the global availability of VX25 components is an added bonus if any repairs are needed .
As for the VX25 features he finds most impressive , Martin Kaiser summarises : “ It ’ s the 130-degree hinges , the robust base gland plates , the many possibilities created by the new plinth system , and the fact that the enclosure system as a whole requires fewer accessories and less storage space – and therefore has associated cost benefits .”
Further information at www . rittal . co . uk and www . friedhelm-loh-group . com or on twitter @ rittal _ ltd .
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