Seamless digital retrofit for pneumatic control valves
26/08/2026 Burkert Fluid Control Systems
Bürkert’s SideCONTROL series of electropneumatic positioners and controllers integrate with virtually any pneumatic control valve actuator to provide the advantages of digital communications. SideCONTROL offers fast and simple integration to upgrade analogue pneumatic control valves without the time, cost or complexity of a full digital system transition. Original pneumatic control valves remain in place while SideCONTROL devices are added with no downtime or intervention required to existing processes.
SideCONTROL positioners and controllers can provide the advantages of digitisation to any application involving analogue pneumatic control valves. For processes that require the continuous, modulating control of flow, pressure, temperature, level, or wider process variables, upgrading to a digital system can enhance accuracy, precision and repeatability. Automating processes also enables 24/7 monitoring, reporting, and alarms to minimise downtime and reduce labour demand.
Digital connectivity
Instead of transitioning to a full digital control system, which adds cost in hardware and complexity in development and commissioning, SideCONTROL provides a seamless retrofit solution for existing pneumatic control valves.
The straightforward upgrade approach is integrating a Bürkert SideCONTROL device and communicating via IO-Link to achieve a point-to-point, bidirectional digital connection to an IO-Link master module. This provides two-way, high-speed communications with standard cabling to achieve plug-and-play connectivity to the IO-Link master with no additional switches required.
In addition, Bürkert SideCONTROL devices with Profibus communications onboard can integrate directly with Profibus masters. SideCONTROL devices are also able to communicate via the AS-i protocol, as well the CAN-based Bürkert system bus (büS), to a compatible master or gateway.
High-speed, Ethernet communications integration including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, and EtherCAT protocols are also available on appropriately configured SideCONTROL devices.
Easy hardware integration
The Bürkert SideCONTROL range comprises the Type 8791 Digital electropneumatic positioner, designed for mounting on both linear and rotary actuators. It supports communication via IO-Link, AS-i, or büS and features integrated diagnostic functions for valve monitoring.
The Type 8792 Digital electropneumatic positioner adds a graphical display with keypad, allowing the device to be easily configured or commissioned, and extends communications via Ethernet or field bus communication networks.
Finally, the Type 8793 is a digital process controller with an onboard PID to enable localised, control-loop control, and it features the same digital communication integration as the Type 8792 digital positioner.
Installation of the SideCONTROL devices is achieved by universal mounting to virtually all designs of pneumatic control valve actuator, including NAMUR-standard part-turn and linear actuators. The SideCONTROL positioners and controllers are also compatible with non-standard actuators including Type 3277 Samson designs thanks to an adaptor kit for valve strokes from 7.5 mm to 30 mm.
Simple commissioning
To ensure valve position tuning virtually out of the box, the SideCONTROL device’s X.Tune commissioning tool features self-teaching. By automatically adjusting the control parameters for the specific actuator and process conditions, X.Tune optimises the valve's response time, stability, and accuracy. It’s also possible to switch from single- to double-acting actuators at any time.
Meanwhile, automated process control initialisation for the Type 8793 digital process controller is achieved by the P.TUNE function that self-optimises PID parameters.
Print this articleFor more information, please contact:
Kirsty Anderson
Burkert Fluid Control Systems
Fluid Control Centre
1 Bridge End
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1QY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1285 648720
Email: kirsty.anderson@burkert.com
Web: https://www.burkert.co.uk
Share article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.