Centrifugal control systems


For many years, BMA – Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG – has been one the world’s leading manufacturers of centrifugals for the sugar industry. In 2003, the BMA Management decided to develop a new generation of control systems for batch-type centrifugals. This decision was based on the fact that process engineering together with plant control technology and programming play an increasingly important part for the customer as well as for the development of customer equipment and production workflows.

Key consideration in the development of the new centrifugal control system:

  • Sophisticated safety concept
  • Extensive standardization of software to achieve short commissioning times
  • Integration of BMA’s entire process-engineering know-how
  • Comprehensive visualization and operation via touch panel for easy and user-friendly operability
  • Easy adjustability of changes in product properties and selectable options
  • Pre-installation to a large extent at the manufacturer’s site
  • Integration of non-contacting layer thickness measuring unit DynFAS FS
  • Control hardware from leading manufacturers available worldwide in order to offer an optimum after-sales service
  • Teleservice option
  • Option of integration with process control systems




Extensive visualization and operation via a touch panel mounted to the centrifugal guarantee high-level user-friendly operation.

Different variants of this control unit are available in order to safeguard an optimum integration into the customer’s existing infrastructure:

  • ABB AC 500 “Touch”
  • Allen Bradley CompactLogix
  • Allen Bradley ControlLogix
  • Siemens S7 300 “Touch”
  • Siemens S7 300 “Heavy Duty”

The centrifugals work fully automatically. Numerous options such as syrup washing, steam nozzle assembly, integration with a higher-level control system and selectable modules allow the centrifugal to be adapted to the individual application. Moreover, motors from different manufacturers with various ratings of up to 408 kW are available, which return the energy released during braking into the factory mains. All this contributes to an energy-saving mode of operation.


For batch-type sugar centrifugals (with a capacity of up to 2,200 kg per batch) the safety concept is of particular importance. The minimum requirements are defined by European standard EU 12547. In addition, the strict regulations of the German sugar trade association as well as an internal risk assessment have been taken into account in the development of the BMA control system.

The centrifugal control system is continuously improved and enhanced on the basis of the experience gained in practical operation. Such hardware and software updates are regularly offered to the customer. BMA Assistance – the worldwide service unit of the BMA Group – supports the customer with its expert personnel in the integration of these updates.