Understand and Optimise Your Processes with SMC Flow Switches

Available to measure flow rates of liquids and dry inert gases, the wide range of flow switches from SMC will give the information users need. As well as the flowrate display, the switches all provide a digital or analogue output to the control system.

For measuring air or Nitrogen flow the recent expansion of the established PFM series adds the PFMB and PFMC switches. The PFMB offers a clear dual colour red/green LCD display so any deviation outside the ideal range can be instantly identified and corrected. As well as being IP65 rated for difficult environments the PFMC switches additionally offer a two line display. As well as the main red / green flow rate the sub-line can show extra information including total flow that has passed through the switch or the peak flow rate.  With the new PFMB and PFMC the models in the complete PFM series now covers measured flow rates from 0 to 2000l/min.

Latest additions to SMC’s growing flow switch range are their new PF3A7 range which can measure flow rates up to 12000 l/min plus a separate PFG3 external display unit. The PFG3 display unit allows any of the PFMB, PFMC or PF3A7 flow switches to be mounted in pipework while the flow can be monitored at a separate, convenient location.

For measuring liquid flow rates, the PF3W series covers the range from 0.5 l/min up to 250 l/min for water or ethylene glycol solutions. All models in the range feature a two line rotatable display so in addition to the red / green flow rate the sub line can display accumulated flow, maximum or minimum flow. A useful option which can be specified on all models is a temperature sensor, so temperature and flow can be measured with one device. The temperature can be displayed on the display sub-line and is sent as a continuous analogue output to the control system.

Inaccessible pipework need not cause a problem as the entire PF3W series is available with a remote display to be panel mounted in a convenient position, with no loss of functionality.

If there is a need to measure the flow of DI water or low viscosity chemicals, the PF3W can also be specified with PVC piping connections and FKM seals.

The flowrate of cooling water or water based cutting lubricant containing fragments or machining swarf can be measured using the recently introduced LFE series electromagnetic flow switch. Covering flow rates from 0.5 l/min to 200 l/min the robust IP65 protected LFE has a totally uninterrupted internal bore to prevent damage or clogging by the contaminants in the liquid.