Blog - EN

Cleanroom Automation with Siemens S7-OpenController and ET200

Back in February, we reported on our decision to operate the FFUs in a demanding automation project not via one of our control units for EC fans, but rather via a powerful combination of a Siemens S7-OpenController and decentralized ET200 peripheral modules. The intuitive operation and visualization are achieved through a generous 21-inch WinCC Unified Panel, which clearly displays all relevant processes. In addition to classic process visualization, the system also offers comprehensive archiving of measured values and user logins. This creates transparency and traceability – crucial factors in modern production environments.

Another focus was on the integration of an FMS system via OPC-UA. This open, standardized interface enables seamless and vendor-independent communication with higher-level systems. The time synchronization of all components is reliably performed via a customer-provided NTP server, ensuring a consistent database. In the area of room air conditioning, a sophisticated solution with a total of 80 FFUs (Fan Filter Units) is used. These are distributed across three RS485 communication lines and controlled via the EBM Papst Modbus protocol for precise room pressure regulation.

For return air conditioning, five air conditioning units are used, complemented by two fresh air systems, which are specifically used to control the plenum pressure. Additionally, a control system for two airlocks was implemented to ensure controlled access and maintain constant pressure conditions. The system is rounded off by an intelligent lighting control system that not only increases energy efficiency but also ease of use. All the technology is housed in high-quality control cabinets that are optimally designed for the system's requirements.

FFU-Controll with SIEMENS PLC

For many years, EC fans have been operated with control devices from vbk technology, in many applications all over the world. But there are also those where the FFUs should be an integral part of the data network and therefore there is a desire for direct control by the PLC.

For an automation company from Nuremberg, EC-FFUs should now be connected to a SIMATIC ET 200 via their multi-fieldbus. The EC drives for this come from ebmpapst and are equipped with a Modbus rtu interface with identification D (5.01 Lite).

Extension of a FFU Plant

3 ago we reported of the accomplishment of a larger FFU-Plant in Eastern Europe. Almost 2000 EC-FFUs with proprietary RS485-Interface have been running since then without any issue.

As the costumer sent us the FFU-Server for the job, we took to opportunity to do a complete system update. From now on the GUI is running no more java based, but on different web browsers.

Power-OFF at FFU Plants

Following the last maintenance of a FFU-plant, voltage OFF/ON tests cycles caused that the EC fans from Nicotra||Gebhardt no longer reached their speed setpoints in a certain time, so that at several EC-drives speed control errors occurred. This kind of self-monitoring serves to ensure product safety so that units with a possible defect, such as a blocked impeller, do not keep trying to reach the set speed and switch themselves off.

The operator of the plant was once again advised with the following hints: “If cyclic OFF/ON tests are absolutely necessary, the FFU power circuits may be excluded. If this is not possible, the FFUs should be stopped before acting. This can be done either from the GLT or from the FFU-server.”

Since neither heavy tools nor spare parts were needed for the appointment, the climate-friendly train journey was a good choice.

Cleanroom-Supplier from Taiwan visits Vogtland

Since more than 10 years General Ventitech Co. Ltd. has been our partner in Taiwan. No matter if support while building FFU-servers for cleanroom applications or the adaption of older EE-fans to latest control networks, or even the normal hardware business of control devices for EC-fans, it has become way more than business, it’s friendship.

CEO Schilling Yu (2nd from the left) and staff members at vbk technology

FFU Control without JAVA

Since round about 3 years the FFU-Server of one of our biggest cleanroom customers has been running on a virtual basis. The actual FFU-Server runs as service, but the graphical-user-interface (GUI) at java-based Internet Explorer. While the server part was more or less permanently improved over the years and utterly accepted by our customers, the GUI caused more and more complains. That part was using Internet Explorer based on JAVA-scripts. Sometimes MS edge took simple over the command and suppressed the old JAVA-GUI.

As the actual FFU-Server-core does not care about its GUI, the scheduler or the Inline I/O interacting and even the total OPC-Control by an overlaid FMS are still in charge, some customers even did not take note about the “deactivated” GUI, but it’s not nice, anyhow. Since a few months there is a solution for this. By a small program all functions of the GUI are presented in any Browser no matter if Edge, Chrome or Firefox. So our customers expect no more surprises if they are going to check the FFU-control.