text.skipToContent
text.skipToNavigation
![]()
It is important to know how much air is consumed in a process. Air is a clean medium and does not cause pollution when blown into the environment, but the cost of compressed air is relatively high. Therefore it is important to have as less leakage as possible in the compressed air piping network! And therefor the compressor has to produce less air and this saves energy!
In the first place by inspecting all couplings, valves, cylinders, etc. with a special ultrasonic meter. This time-consuming and expensive method can be carried out by an (external) company that detects the leaks. But the good news is that a shorter route is possible. Namely by installing a flow sensor. In these Industrial Internet of Things (Industrie 4.0) days, we want to be able to monitor everything at any time in order to detect and remedy faults or air leaks as quickly as possible.
By placing a flow sensor, for example close to the air consumer, it is possible to monitor whether the air consumption changes over time. An increased flow can indicate a leakage in the pipe system.
The Festo flow sensors of the SFAH series are units that are mounted in the air duct. Operation is based on the principle of measuring the temperature difference. Two temperature sensors mounted at a fixed distance from each other in the unit. In the SFAG flow sensor there is a heating element with the two temperature sensors, one in front of the heating element and one after.
The heating element has a constant electrical power and is cooled down by the air flowing past it. The two sensors now measure the difference in temperature before the heating element and after the heating element and that difference is converted into a measured value. The more flow, the smaller the temperature difference.
The result of the measurement is converted to a usable signal, 0...10V, 4...20mA or with an IO-link which can be connected to the PLC to take actions from the obtained information.
A vortex flow meter works according to the principle of "Kármán vortex street" as shown schematically. This principle works as follows. In the airflow there is a resistor is mounted, e.g. a shaft which is also called "shredder bar" or "bluff bar". This causes vortexes in the airflow that change with a certain frequency. These frequency is proportional to the flow that is hindered. Further on in this tube, an ultrasonic signal is emitted by means of a transmitter. The receiver that measures the frequency and converts this into a value for the flow. Because a relatively small "shredder bar" or "bluff bar" is used in the airflow, which this gives a very low pressure drop over the flow meter. It also gives a high sensitivity measurement at low flow rates.
Below are the various types, the measuring range and a link to the technical documentation for further choices.
Of course, our Industrial Automation department can advise you further in the choice of the right sensor.
Click here for more information about STFE
Click here for more information about SFAH
Click here for more information about SFAW
Click here for more information about SFAB
The individual SFAM-… -T comes with an inlet tube to stabilize the air flow.
The SFAM-… -M can be built together in the service unit MS-6 or MS-9
Click here for more information about SFAM
More information about flow sensors? Please contact itsme.
Saving energy with a SFAH flow sensor from Festo
Why a flow sensor?
It is important to know how much air is consumed in a process. Air is a clean medium and does not cause pollution when blown into the environment, but the cost of compressed air is relatively high. Therefore it is important to have as less leakage as possible in the compressed air piping network! And therefor the compressor has to produce less air and this saves energy!
How could you measure leaks?
In the first place by inspecting all couplings, valves, cylinders, etc. with a special ultrasonic meter. This time-consuming and expensive method can be carried out by an (external) company that detects the leaks. But the good news is that a shorter route is possible. Namely by installing a flow sensor. In these Industrial Internet of Things (Industrie 4.0) days, we want to be able to monitor everything at any time in order to detect and remedy faults or air leaks as quickly as possible.By placing a flow sensor, for example close to the air consumer, it is possible to monitor whether the air consumption changes over time. An increased flow can indicate a leakage in the pipe system.
How a flow sensor works
The Festo flow sensors of the SFAH series are units that are mounted in the air duct. Operation is based on the principle of measuring the temperature difference. Two temperature sensors mounted at a fixed distance from each other in the unit. In the SFAG flow sensor there is a heating element with the two temperature sensors, one in front of the heating element and one after.The heating element has a constant electrical power and is cooled down by the air flowing past it. The two sensors now measure the difference in temperature before the heating element and after the heating element and that difference is converted into a measured value. The more flow, the smaller the temperature difference.
The result of the measurement is converted to a usable signal, 0...10V, 4...20mA or with an IO-link which can be connected to the PLC to take actions from the obtained information.
The vortex principle.
A vortex flow meter works according to the principle of "Kármán vortex street" as shown schematically. This principle works as follows. In the airflow there is a resistor is mounted, e.g. a shaft which is also called "shredder bar" or "bluff bar". This causes vortexes in the airflow that change with a certain frequency. These frequency is proportional to the flow that is hindered. Further on in this tube, an ultrasonic signal is emitted by means of a transmitter. The receiver that measures the frequency and converts this into a value for the flow. Because a relatively small "shredder bar" or "bluff bar" is used in the airflow, which this gives a very low pressure drop over the flow meter. It also gives a high sensitivity measurement at low flow rates.Overview flow sensors from Festo.
When selecting the flow sensor, it is important to know what flow range is required, accuracy and installation location. The type of signal, digital or analogue, is also a choice to be made.Below are the various types, the measuring range and a link to the technical documentation for further choices.
Of course, our Industrial Automation department can advise you further in the choice of the right sensor.
| Type SFTE | Type SFAH |
|
|
Click here for more information about STFE
Click here for more information about SFAH
| Type SFAW | Type SFAB |
|
|
Click here for more information about SFAW
Click here for more information about SFAB
The individual SFAM-… -T comes with an inlet tube to stabilize the air flow.
The SFAM-… -M can be built together in the service unit MS-6 or MS-9
| Type SFAM-62 (Can be mounted with MS-6 serie) | Type SFAM-90 (Can be mounted with MS-9 serie) |
|
|
Click here for more information about SFAM
More information about flow sensors? Please contact itsme.
Stay up to date with the latest news:
-
Rittal - VR pedestalRead moreDelve into the world of the VX plinth plinth system - a successor that takes your cabinet arrangement to the next level. More stability, but also flawless installation. Experience the evolution of your workspace today! Rittal strives to constantly refine and improve its products. As part of this process, the VX plinth plinth system has been redesigned this product has been available since 1 March 2024.
-
Siemens - SINAMICS G220 variable speed drive now also in IP55Read moreIn addition to the previously released IP20 variant of the SINAMICS G220 variable speed drive, the IP55 version of this innovative drive is now also available. This version comes standard with coated circuit boards that make the inverter resistant even outside the control cabinet to aggressive influences in a harsh industrial environment. As an option, a housing-mounted isolating switch can also be supplied to ensure safe disconnection of voltage without any other external components.
-
News - Fluke - 87-V digital multimeterRead moreTechnological advances now allow accurate electrical measurements to be taken during installation and maintenance using a digital multimeter (DMM), allowing technicians to diagnose problems that lead to premature failure.
-
Pilz: PSENmlock mini and PSENslock 2Read moreWhen securing fences, a wide variety of factors such as the fence type, the respective installation situation and the specific use must be taken into account depending on the application. For this purpose, Pilz is expanding its range in the field of safety interlocks with two new sensors immediately: PSENmlock mini for space-critical applications and PSENslock 2
Check out our other success stories:
-
Dymotec - Open Lines in a ‘Perfect Storm’Read moreCOVID-19 and global component scarcity threw the industry into a ‘perfect storm’. Industrial automator Dymotec and Breemes kept the phone lines constantly open to tackle the scarcity problem together with creativity and proactivity. Dymotec in Olen (B) focuses on industrial automation spanning a broad spectrum of industries, from food and pharma to logistics and metal. The company has been around for 30 years and joined the Jeco Energies Group in 2022. Dymotec now has some 50 employees and also has a flexible shell with technicians, programmers and project engineers. Ever since its establishment, the company from Kempen has had a relationship with (the predecessors of) Breemes.
-
Enduro - Complete package for heavy-duty workRead moreEnduro Softslings builds machines for the manufacture of its own heavy lifting soft slings. For a new machine, it called in itsme for the full package: advice on the drives, supply of components and programming of the controls. “We completed the entire project in just over six months. That’s fast for such a specialised machine.”
-
Stimac - Good technical support for ever-changing specificationsRead moreIf the description for an automation project is clear from the start, it is easy for the industrial automation specialist to give it substance. In practice, however, specifications often change during the course of a project. This happened to Stimac/SNK when designing the control technology for a horticultural machine. For the problems that arose during the process, itsme quickly provided Stimac/SNK with a solution. “When a customer calls us, we respond immediately. So it’s nice to have a supplier like itsme who can also help immediately.”
-
Innovatec - Hatching Better ProcurementRead moreInnovatec Hatchery Automation launched a process of professionalisation for its procurement process last year. The company partnered with itsme because of its technical expertise, logistics concepts and intensive contacts with manufacturers. “First we were dating, but now we’re thinking about moving in together.”