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How can flow and pressure control be integrated into custom OEM equipment?
OEM flow and pressure control projects frequently involve more than selecting an instrument from a catalogue. The mechanical arrangement, fluid connections, control electronics, communications and software must all work together within the finished machine.
A standard flow meter, controller or pressure regulator may satisfy the basic operating specification, but OEM equipment often introduces additional constraints. Space, weight, connection layout, communications, electrical integration and service access can all influence the final design.
The following Alicat OEM examples demonstrate three different approaches: integrating pressure management into an analytical instrument, creating a portable gas blending platform and packaging multi-channel gas delivery for a biological process.
Vacuum and pressure management for analytical chemistry
The engineering challenge
Analytical instruments can require several independently controlled pneumatic connections within a tightly defined space. The assembly must manage pressure and vacuum reliably while also accommodating protective components, manual checks, electronics and the connection layout required by the parent machine.
Selecting the regulators separately would not, by itself, resolve the packaging, wiring or integration requirements.
Requirement
Provide digital and proportional management of five pneumatic connections, together with a safety valve and a quick-check pressure gauge, inside a predetermined installation envelope.
Solution
A compact aluminium assembly combined the pneumatic connections, protective devices and high-speed dual-valve electronic pressure regulators into one OEM-ready module.
A self-contained portable gas blending system
The engineering challenge
A portable blending system must do more than regulate individual gas streams. The flow instruments, manifold, user interface, communications and operating logic all need to behave as one coordinated machine.
High total flow can also affect component sizing, pressure loss, mixing performance and the response of the completed system.
Requirement
Create a transportable, self-contained platform capable of producing controlled gas mixtures at high flow, with local operation and connectivity to wider industrial equipment.
Solution
Alicat flow and pressure instruments were integrated with a purpose-built mechanical platform, control software, a touch-panel computer and industrial input/output capability.
Multi-channel gas delivery for biological applications
The engineering challenge
Biological and bioprocess equipment may require several gas channels to be delivered to more than one process destination. Compact packaging, material selection, fault reporting and simple machine connectivity can therefore be central to the design.
The gas-handling components must also be protected without making installation or servicing unnecessarily complicated.
Requirement
Package six gas channels with two controlled outputs, venting, visible activity and fault indication, and straightforward power and communications integration.
Solution
The finished module used machined 316L stainless steel construction, an integrated vent valve, status lights and a purpose-designed circuit board, protected by a rugged outer enclosure.
What do these OEM examples have in common?
Although the three applications are very different, each required several engineering disciplines to be considered together. Successful OEM integration depends on how the complete assembly behaves, rather than the performance of one component in isolation.
Mechanical integration
The assembly has to fit the available envelope while maintaining suitable pipe routing, mounting, cooling and service access.
Fluid-control integration
Flow range, pressure conditions, gas compatibility, valve response and pressure loss must be evaluated as a connected system.
Electrical integration
Power, communications, analogue or digital signals, alarms and fail-safe behaviour must align with the wider machine controls.
What should be defined at the start of an OEM project?
- Minimum, normal and maximum flow for every channel
- Gas or liquid composition and material compatibility
- Inlet pressure, outlet pressure and possible back-pressure
- Required flow or pressure accuracy and repeatability
- Operating and storage temperature ranges
- Available installation envelope and maximum weight
- Preferred connections and their required orientation
- Power supply and electrical connection requirements
- Analogue, serial, fieldbus or Ethernet communications
- Start-up, shutdown and fail-safe behaviour
- Expected annual quantities and production programme
- Calibration, traceability and certification requirements
A complete specification does not have to exist before the first discussion. Early engagement can help identify which requirements are fixed and where there is flexibility to simplify the design.
Explore OEM flow and pressure control options
- Flow and pressure instrumentation for OEM equipment
- Alicat Scientific flow and pressure products
- Alicat BASIS OEM mass flow controller
- Alicat EPC OEM electronic pressure controller
- Alicat EPCD dual-valve OEM pressure controller
The application examples and photographs on this page are based on Alicat Scientific’s Integrated Systems for OEM brochure.
Discuss your OEM flow or pressure application
PCT can help evaluate the operating requirements, select suitable Alicat technology and consider how the fluid-control components will integrate with the mechanical and control architecture of your equipment.
Discuss your OEM project
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