CU4plus - Valve Control Units
CU4plus valve control unit offers seamless automation with ASi-3 and ASi-5 bus systems, Direct Connect and IO-Link capabilities, ensuring efficient, reliable control of hygienic sanitary valves, enhancing connectivity and improving overall system performance for various fluid management applications.
CU4plus Valve Control Unit Overview
Smart Control for Hygienic Valve Operations
The CU4plus unit enhances the performance, safety, and reliability of APV® and Waukesha Cherry-Burrell® air-operated sanitary valves. Ideal for dairy, beverage, food, healthcare, and pharmaceutical applications, it delivers precision control and seamless monitoring.
Core Features and Advantages
Advanced Monitoring and Feedback
- Highly Accurate Valve Stem Measurement: The contact-free valve stem measuring system ensures precise positioning, improving process accuracy and reducing operational errors.
- Teach-In Function: Simplifies the feedback adjustment process, making setup fast and efficient.
- Clear LED Indicators: Ultra-bright LEDs provide clear, immediate feedback on valve position, power status, and solenoid activation, aiding in smooth operations.
- Manual Overrides and Adjustable: Solenoids include manual override functionality, with an adjustment screw to easily control actuator air flow.
- Retrofitting Capability: Easily adaptable to existing valves, allowing for seamless upgrades without the need for major system overhauls.
- Toolbox Software: Offers advanced monitoring, control, and diagnostic tools to help maintain optimal valve performance.
Connectivity and Protocol Support
CU4plus supports 24VDC Direct Connect, IO-Link, ASi-3, and ASi-5 technologies for flexible integration.
CU4plus ASi-5 Variant
Next-Generation Performance
Built on ASi-5 standards, the CU4plus ASi-5 variant improves connectivity, control, and scalability in automated valve systems.
Key Benefits
- Increased Productivity: Controls up to 96 devices on a single network, handling 36% more devices than ASi-3.
- Fast Response: Delivers process control four times faster than ASi-3, improving efficiency and performance.
- Quick Maintenance Response: air pressure and valve parameter monitoring alarm indicates service needs in real-time in the PLC, enabling improved operating efficiency.
- Comprehensive Data: Transfers up to 32 bytes of process data per control unit, ensuring detailed monitoring.
- Automated Configuration: Stores and reloads configurations for fast system recovery during valve service.
- Enhanced Sustainability: Reduces cleaning-in-place (CIP) leakage by up to 80% through advanced seat-lift pulsation technology.
- Reduced CAPEX / OPEX: Reduced installation costs, maintenance and downtime compared with other protocols.
CU4plus IO-Link Variant
Industry 4.0 Connectivity and Maintenance Optimization
The IO-Link version connects directly to all APV valves via an IO-Link master. It delivers real-time data, preventative maintenance insights, and pressure monitoring without requiring major system upgrades.
Key Benefits
- Ease of Installation: IO-Link enables quick integration across multiple protocols.
- Improved Uptime: Real-time data monitoring updates valve limits and triggers maintenance based on hours, cycles or air pressure.
- Reduced Downtime: Automated configuration storage in the IO-Link master ensures fast, error-free system restoration during replacements.
- Enhanced CIP & Sustainability: on-off pulse seat lifting reduces cleaning-in-place (CIP) time, fluid waste, and disposal costs.
Supporting Resources
IO-Link Device Description File
Download the CU4plus IO-Link IODD file here.