Bifold PICO zero-bleed pneumatic controller

Bifold has developed a control system that is claimed to transform pneumatic actuation in positional control as well as on/off and ESD valves.

The PICO will be available with one control logic head which is then amplified by the Bifold filter booster range from ¼″ up to 2″. The Bifold filter booster technology allows a flow rate equivalent to larger systems to be achieved by the PICO: a ½″ filter booster system delivers a flow performance of a 1″ tubed system.

This higher flow is achieved by moving all the pressure regulation and valve control logic away from the flow line at the same time as combining the filter into the booster itself. This final step results in the maximum possible differential pressure across a single element, maximising flow.

In addition to the positional control capability, the PICO can be used with on/off and ESD actuators due to its true zero leak capability, combined with proportional control and high flow.

The benefits of the PICO with on/off actuators include: efficient use of compressed air, by only pressurising the actuator to open fully and not continuing to fill to a regulator set pressure; higher operating pressures, resulting in smaller actuators (10 bar working pressure); and allowing controlled and accurate partial stroke with diagnostics, without the need to vent any actuator overpressure before initiating movement.

The Bifold Universal controller is a fully configurable controller with on-screen valve diagnostics, signatures and data capture and features HART, Modbus and Bluetooth communications.