What can you expect from us in the new year? We have new developments for various applications:
Take a look at our overview here: Flyer News 2025
The plug amplifier family is being expanded by the Duo amplifier – a compact valve amplifier for direct installation on the solenoid coil for directional valves with two coils. The individual amplifier handles the coordination and control of both solenoid coils for smooth direction control.
The amplifier controls both magnets via one parameter set. It is no longer necessary to adjust the setpoints for two different devices using external mechanisms.
The flexible control cable makes it possible to move the connection to a more convenient location. This reduces the space required for the valve assembly. The cable length of the satellite connection for the second magnet is long enough so that there are no restrictions on the selection of the valve size.
The plug amplifier is programmed as usual with the tried and tested WEST software WPC-300, so it is not necessary to familiarize yourself with new software.
This year we will be exhibiting for the first time on the all about automation in Düsseldorf. Of course, we have our “Cube” with us again, which we can use to demonstrate how our modules work. For example, we can show you how easy it can be to synchronize hydraulic axes with our modules.
We will be there on October 1st and 2nd, 2024 and look forward to your visit. You are also welcome to arrange appointments with us in advance and tell us your preferred topics: contact@w-e-st.de.
A particularly cost-effective and precise axis control, flexible additional functions and quick and easy commissioning – all this is offered by our new POS-321-P module.
In addition to the well-known function of the commissioning assistant, the script language based on the “FlexiMod” concept was integrated into this unit. This means that the function of the device can be easily adapted to the requirements of a wide variety of applications without external control functions.
The implementation of oscillating controls, parameter switching, own monitoring functions, etc. is extremely easy, programming knowledge is not necessary.
A particular advantage is that the basic function of axis positioning is already available in the delivery condition. This function can be adapted and extended by the script.
FlexiMod offers a simple concept to integrate custom solutions for electrohydraulic applications, while main-taining the advantages of continuous deliverability of standard solutions and the individuality of customer-specific designs.
Under the guiding principle “parameterization instead of programming”, W.E.St. Elektronik GmbH has developed the script-based concept, “FlexiMod” which eases the implementation of customer-specific functions in a commonly available product line. The concept is based on a standardized hardware architecture with a core of basic control functions and a flexible engine that complements the base with user defined operations. Due to the simplicity of the script-based engine, there are almost no programming skills required to compose custom solutions.
In its basic configuration all input signals like process and setpoint values are simply mapped 1-to-1 to the available outputs, either analogue outputs or the power stage output directly controlling the valve.
The actual function for meaningful processing of the signals can be freely defined by the script. No programming knowledge or experience with common PLC programming languages is required. The script editor is clearly divided into rows and columns, with each row basically reflecting the result of an operation and each column defining the input signals of the operation. These are then processed cyclically line by line from top to bottom.
The script provides logic operators, time functions and mathematical operators as well as some special func-tions. With this it is possible to extend functionality from generating a simple saw tooth signal profile to more complex tasks, such as closed loop controls.
We also offer variants that already provide a basic functionality as factory default, for example for positioning control. This basically allows to immediately get into the customization part of the design by implementing individual operations within the pre-set control function without having to implement the baseline positioning task first.
The script environment “WestScript” is available as a free download. It allows online and offline configuration as well as simulation. The integrated oscilloscope tracks the signal curves of up to 4 different operations offline during implementation or online during com-missioning and operation. So that the behavior can be validated and, if necessary, be adjusted prior or during commissioning and maintenance.
The hardware architecture of the new series offers a new core with higher processing power that allows a constant cycle time of not more than 1ms, independ-ent of the length of the script. FlexiMod is a platform-based solution and re-uses expansions of our current platforms, so that we can provide e.g. derivatives with or without power output stage or network connectivity from stock. The base comes with analog and digital inputs/outputs which can be assigned flexibly to process and setpoint signals via the configuration in the script. That means that, that in many cases, additional PLC hardware such as analogue I/O units are no longer necessary.
When individual solutions are requested, they are usually provided as order-based engineering service by component manufacturers or implemented in a PLC program at high efforts. In both cases, the related expenses in terms of cost and time to implement the function as well as the requirements related to HW performance and expertise of the implementing per-sonal are not insignificant. It is not unusual that it takes months. In contrast, the effort involved in script de-velopment is reduced to days or maybe a few weeks. W.E.St. Elektronik offers both the service to develop scripts for customers upon request and the assistance/guidance for customers developing their own script. It is also possible to get an OEM version of the product, which already has the individual configuration on board as factory default.
Due to its flexibility and adaptability FlexiMod can be considered the swiss-army-knife of electrohydraulic controls that can be utilized to execute many differ-ent control tasks. It is ideal e.g. as functional replacement for control units when machines are renewed or repaired to reproduce the previous functionality with a more contemporary solution.
An advantage that system integrators and/or machine builders typically benefit from is that with just a few catalog numbers, different configurations can be mapped, which are integrated into different variants of your systems/machines. At the same time, the logistics related to procurement and warehousing become easier, since only one hardware basis must be kept on stock instead of different derivatives.
The first devices with the FlexiMod Engine are DSG-112-U, with analog outputs, and DSG-112-P, with power output stage for direct control of valve mag-nets. They are completely free configurable and pro-vide the full FlexiMod capability.
The UHC-126-U-PFN control module for position and pressure controls can be controlled via Profinet, Profibus or EtherCAT and thus offers quick and easy integration into the existing machine control.
Function blocks for the S7 are available. The position controller has been revised to meet special requirements. Best dynamics and highest positioning accuracy are the result of this development.
In addition to the standard position control, the following options are implemented:
In addition, a PQ pressure control function can be activated (with or without position controller). In PQ mode, both pressures are typically measured to form the differential pressure.
The interface to the PLC is a Profinet interface. With a view to Industry 4.0, all target values and all feedback (process data) are available in the log. The module can also be parameterized via the bus.
New to our family of hydraulic axis positioners is now a module with integrated power stage and Profinet interface. This combination allows cost-effective and robust proportional valves to be used without internal electronics. The Profinet interface enables seamless data exchange with the machine control system. Setpoints and actual values are transmitted digitally and without loss of accuracy. Extensive diagnostic information is available. The unit can be fully parameterised via the free WPC-300 program as well as via the Profinet interface. For this option, we provide a convenient function block for controllers of the Simatic S7 series. This also makes it possible to save parameter sets in the PLC and automatically write them back in the event of a device replacement.
With the UHC-126-U-S2 we have developed no less than three units with identical functions but different fieldbus interfaces to make even demanding synchronisation applications easily manageable. The ideal device technology for presses, motion drives and all other applications where power and precision are important.
The UHC-126…S2 features a distributed synchronisation system, a new and very robust approach. The patented MR controller linearises the controlled systems and completely eliminates interactions between the individual axis control loops.
Furthermore, the solution enables a theoretically unlimited number of synchronised axes and a high accuracy of the position measurement due to the possibility of connecting SSI sensors; alternatively, an analogue sensor interface is available. There is also the option of a superseding pressure control, in which the effective force of the cylinders can also be controlled. In addition, driver modules for Simatic PLCs are available for simple and fast integration into the machine control system.
The tried and tested made even better: MDR-337-P with commissioning assistant
Our MDR-137-P module has been tried and tested for years for pressure control in combination with proportional pressure valves or variable pumps and has been extremely successful. Now with the new MDR-337-P we can once again present a clear upgrade of the concept. New in this module is the function for characteristic-based pilot control and the commissioning assistant, which perfectly matches the pilot control to your application and also performs the controller optimization automatically.
For you as a user, this has tangible advantages:
You benefit from a really exact linearization …
… but have no additional effort!
You save the time that you would otherwise invest in setting the controller parameters …
… but have an excellent result immediately!
Would you like to learn more? Complete technical information is available here: Application Note AN-104
Or just contact one of our technicians: Tel. +49-2163-577355-18 or email technics@w-e-st.de.
20 years after founding the W.E.St. Elektronik GmbH, Mr Ulrich Walter has decided to begin his well derserved retirement and to sell the company to new owners. This step has been very carefully prepared over the last months with the new owners, namely Thomas Helpenstein and the Swedex Holding GmbH. Based on that, we would also like to announce that Thomas Helpenstein will be named managing director of W.E.St. Elektronik GmbH, effective October 1st, 2019.
The Swedex Holding GmbH has established its market presence by the Swepro group for more than 30 years, as a specialized supplier of innovative and sophisticated pneumatic solutions including industrial tools and the broadest offering of air nozzles, complemented by electrostatic solutions. The Swepro group currently employees over 100 people in 13 countries globally.
Thomas Helpenstein has made his career in developing and marketing of industrial control device. He has held positions in engineering, product management and business management with global responsibility for a wide range of industrial components used for machinery automation and functional safety for machinery.
Affiliating with a solid corporate business offers a wide range of opportunities for collaboration and to leverage each other’s competencies and resources. With this and together with Thomas Helpenstein‘s broad experience we strongly believe that the W.E.St. Elektronik GmbH is very well prepared to foster our key competencies, evolve products and technologies and expand their distribution in future.
We will continue to focus on developing and expanding our offering of electronic control modules for hydraulic applications, especially complementing this offering by network based components to provide a contemporary solution for your hydraulic system with seamless integration with superior controls (PLC).
Customer loyalty and a close relationship has been and will be a key value for us. Therefore, the team and location of W.E.St. Elektronik GmbH will remain as is so that nothing changes for you! Please use the same contacts as usual and place your orders via email, fax or phone etc. as before.
Finally, we would like to thank Elke Walter and Ulrich Walter for the the last 20 years and wish all the best for their retirement!
