Sensing and control

Alfa Laval ThinkTop®

The compact Alfa Laval ThinkTop® V50 and ThinkTop® V70 are the second-generation of the leading sensing and control units for hygienic valves. It ensures unmatched control of all Alfa Laval valves used in the dairy, food, beverage, brewery and pharmaceutical industries.

• Fast, intuitive setup takes place in seconds
• Smart control with 24/7 self-diagnostics
• 360° LED visual status indication, visible from any direction
• Built-to-last waterproof design withstands vibration and thermal expansion
• Fastest ever burst seat cleaning reduces water consumption by up to 90%

ThinkTop® D30 is a cost-effective alternative for use where space is limited and operational simplicity and reliability is important. It is a compact and intelligent easy-to-install integrated control unit for hygienic applications.

How does sensing and control work?

Alfa Laval valve automation solutions include advanced ThinkTop sensing and control units and cost-effective indication units to meet different process requirements.

Compatible with all Alfa Laval valves, the Alfa Laval ThinkTop series uses microchip sensors for precision measurement of the valve stem movement and valve end positions.

Digital PNP feedback signals, AS-Interface, or IO-Link communication protocol connect sensors and actuators, regardless of fieldbus, to your automation systems. Collecting, storing, analyzing meaningful real-time data brings the power of Industry 4.0 to your hygienic processing lines.

Mounted directly on the valve top or the valve yoke, Alfa Laval indication units feature up to two feedback signals that show the valve position (open or closed). Operating principles vary, depending on the sensor type, including non-contact proximity sensors, two- or three-wire proximity sensors, and sensors with M12 plug or encapsulated cable.

ThinkTop® V20

Boost process productivity and secure product traceability with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V20 valve indication unit. Reliable and cost-effective, it provides intuitive sensing of the hygienic valve status and position in real time. Easy to install on Alfa Laval valves with standard mushroom connections, the valve sensor is suitable for hygienic applications across the dairy, food, beverage, home and personal care, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and many other industries.

Product features and benefits

• Reliable, cost-effective, intelligent indication unit for the real-time status of hygienic valves
• Highly accurate indication of hygienic valve positions within ± 1 mm
• Aesthetic and hygienic design based on the ThinkTop V-series
• Intuitive live setup for fast installation and digital, AS-I or IO-Link interfaces
• Compatible with Alfa Laval hygienic valves with standard mushroom connections, making it easy to upgrade older valve indication units
• 360° LED visual status indication, visible from all directions

Enjoy more cost-effective, intelligent valve indication with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V20. With a no-touch sensor system and standard functionality, the ThinkTop V20 valve sensor provides reliable, intuitive sensing of hygienic valves. Get real-time information while saving historical data for traceability.

The ThinkTop V20 valve indication unit has the same look, setup, and ease of installation as the proven ThinkTop V-series. With its IP69K rating for high protection against the ingress of dust and high-temperature, high-pressure water, the ThinkTop V20 is an excellent valve sensor choice for indoor and outdoor use. Its durable, fully encapsulated housing protects the unit.

Replacing or hot swapping the valve top is easy and boosts productivity without disrupting production. No expertise, training, adapters, or special tools are required.

Video: See how the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V20 enhances hygienic valve automation with real-time feedback and easy setup.

ThinkTop® V40

Get process reliability with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V40. This user-friendly, resource-smart control top for butterfly and single seat valves enhances product safety and uptime. Advanced communication protocols provide valve status in real time, streamlining operations and ensuring efficiency across the dairy, food, beverage, and home and personal care industries.

Product features and benefits

• Automated valve control for safer, smarter processing
• Safe, reliable production due to enhanced control
• User-friendly design for fast installation, automatic valve detection and low maintenance
• Resource-efficient operation with low energy use and long service life
• Precise control for quick response with digital and ASi communication protocols
• Safe production due to durable, IP69K-rated construction

Enhance process reliability and product safety with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V40 control unit. Gain real-time monitoring and control with 24/7 valve status updates. An integrated solenoid valve enables precise actuation, while accurate sensors provide real-time valve position feedback, reducing human error and maximizing uptime.

Durable and easy to clean, the control top meets strict industry standards for hygiene. A plug-and-play setup ensures fast installation, while 360° LED status indication improves visibility.

When laying the groundwork for basic automation, the ThinkTop V40 is a durable, scalable, and cost-effective choice for efficient valve control.

Think automation. ThinkTop V40.

How it works

The Alfa Laval ThinkTop V40 control unit provides a single-sensor solution for butterfly and single seat valves. Equipped with one solenoid valve, it converts electrical PLC output signals into mechanical energy to energize or de-energize the air-operated valve using the physical sensor target mounted on the valve stem.

Installation with Live Setup is fast and straightforward. Simply activate the manual override on the solenoid valve to initiate the Live Setup sequence. The ThinkTop automatically recognizes the type of valve and completes the programming. Alternatively, setup can be performed remotely from a PLC using the remote Live Setup function – without dismantling the control head.

ThinkTop® V50

Alfa Laval ThinkTop V50 is a compact valve control unit for hygienic valves. It offers a single sensor solution and can be fitted with 0 or 1 solenoid valves, ensuring unmatched control of Alfa Laval DV-ST, Butterfly valves and Single seat valves for use in the dairy, food, beverage, brewery and pharmaceutical industries.

Product features and benefits

• Intuitive, intelligent hygienic valve control
• Auto Setup, Live Setup and Flex Setup streamline and making setup quick and easy
• Smart, continuous monitoring through 24/7 self-diagnostics
• 360° LED status indication, easily visible from all angles
• Built-to-last: IP69K rating and vibration proof
• Savings of CIP liquid consumption on drain valve cleaning by up to 95% when using ASi and IO-link models

Control your hygienic valves with peace of mind using the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V50 valve control unit. A single sensor target control board handles all valve functions and communication. No adapters, special tools or cover screws are required. Non-crossing, colour-coded air hoses ensure straightforward connections. On top of this, enjoy a minimalist aesthetic housing made of composite material. Alfa Laval offers advanced sensing and control units for hygienic valves, ensuring precise and reliable operation in various applications.

With only one sensor target and included adapter, ThinkTop V50 are easily retrofittable to existing Alfa Laval valves.

How does the ThinkTop V50 work

The Alfa Laval ThinkTop V50 valve control unit offers a single sensor solution for Diaphragm valves, Butterfly valves and Single seat valves and it can be fitted with 0 or 1 solenoid valves. The ThinkTop valve control unit converts the electrical PLC output signals into mechanical energy to energize or de-energize the air-operated valve, using the physical sensor target mounted on the valve stem.

Experience a seamless and speedy installation process with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop valve control unit's auto setup feature. To begin, just press the "Select" button, followed by the "Enter" button, and the setup sequence will initiate automatically. The process adapts according to the number of solenoid valves connected to the control unit. Additionally, if needed, you can perform a "Live setup" without disassembling the control head, enabling convenient remote configuration.

ThinkTop® V70

The compact Alfa Laval ThinkTop V70 is the second-generation of the leading sensing and control units for hygienic valves. It can be fitted with up to three solenoid valves and ensures unmatched control of all Alfa Laval valves used in the dairy, food, beverage, brewery and pharmaceutical industries.

Product features and benefits

• Intuitive, intelligent hygienic valve control
• Fast, intuitive setup takes place in seconds
• Smart control with 24/7 self-diagnostics
• 360° LED visual status indication, visible from any direction
• Built-to-last: IP69K rating and vibration proof
• Fastest ever burst seat cleaning reduces water consumption by up to 90%

Maintain your peace of mind and control your hygienic valves effortlessly with the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V70 valve control units. Enjoy minimalist aesthetic housing made of composite material with a single sensor target control board to handle all valve functions and communication. No adapters, special tools or cover screws required. Non-crossing, colour-coded air hoses ensure straightforward connections.

How it works

The Alfa Laval ThinkTop V70 valve control units offer a single-sensor solution for butterfly, single-seat and mixproof valves; a single control unit can be fitted with up to three solenoid valves. ThinkTop valve control unit converts the electrical PLC output signals into mechanical energy to energize or de-energize the air-operated valve, using the physical sensor target mounted on the valve stem.

Installation with auto setup is intuitive and fast. To initiate auto setup, simply press the “Select” button and then the “Enter” button to begin the setup sequence. The process is completed in accordance with the number of solenoid valves fitted to the control unit. Alternatively, the ThinkTop valve control unit can be set up without dismantling the control head using the built-in “Live setup” feature for remote configuration.

Alfa Laval ThinkTop®. Rethought.