Compact Pneumatic Valves Offer High Performance
Festo launched a new generation of pneumatic valves which, it claims, offer “a size-to-performance ratio never before achieved by any other valve”. The VUVG valves are based on a patented cartridge design which achieves extremely high power densities and will allow smaller valves to be used than at present in around 90% of all applications. Alternatively, the valves will operate more dynamically with faster cycle times than conventional valves of a similar size, achieving flow rates up to 100% higher.
The new cartridge design incorporates a unique seal profile that allows vacuum operation, high flow rates and a pressure range of up to 10 bar. The high pressure and the use of smaller cylinders lead to shorter cycle times and more dynamic performance. As a result, when the valves are used, for example, with a 25mm piston diameter cylinder with a 160mm stroke and 350mm tube length, the advancing time at 10 bar is 88% faster than with conventional valves.
The cartridge design also supports separated two-pressure operation. There is no overlapping between the air ducts as is common with other valves.
The valves are said to be particularly suitable for use in applications needing cost-effective, compact devices with high flow rates. Their small size, combined with the low weight of their aluminium housings, also makes the valves ideal for uses such as direct mounting on robot arms.
Two 3/2-way valves can be combined in one housing that can operate two single-acting cylinders, thus halving the required installation space.
There is no need for adapters or mounting attachments when installing the valves. Axial mounting bores allow individual valves to be assembled in series without special manifold strips or brackets, creating a valve manifold from a single valve. Multiple pressure zones can be set up easily using separating plates. Integrated LEDs provide a 360° view of the valve status.
The valve’s electronics can be replaced in a one-click operation. The housing remains the same, only the connection is changed. A wide range of variants can be fitted, with connection options that include M8 and stranded wire.
Self-adjusting Cushioning for Pneumatic Cylinders
May 26, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Cylinders, Equipment, Industry News
No more need for toing and froing when you are adjusting the cushioning of pneumatic cylinders. Festo’s self-adjusting cushioning PPS makes commissioning easier and also saves time. It makes it possible to achieve a dynamic but gentle cushioning action into the end positions of cylinders without the need for manual intervention.
Festo round cylinders DSNU are now available with self-adjusting pneumatic cushioning. (Photo: Festo)
Until now, users always needed to adjust the end-position cushioning integrated into cylinders manually, with the risk of slow cycle times or excessive noise generation. Manual adjustment of end-position cushioning also takes time; this makes commissioning a very long drawn-out process in the case of installations with a lot of drives requiring cushioning.
Without any need for manual interventions, self-adjusting cushioning PPS from Festo now ensures an optimum cushioning action every time, even if parameters such as friction and pressure change. It also reduces the acceleration forces acting on components and workpieces. This cuts down wear and minimises time-consuming vibration. What is more, in comparison with shock absorbers, self-adjusting cushioning is less expensive and more robust. This unique cushioning, not offered by any other supplier, is now available with the Festo round cylinder DSNU, of which millions of examples have already been sold.
With Festo’s self-adjusting cushioning PPS for round cylinders DSNU, longitudinal slots on the inside of the cylinder discharge exhaust air in a controlled way, thus making it possible to achieve dynamic but gentle cushioning action into the end positions without the need for manual intervention. (Photo: Festo)
The DSNU-PPS variant with self-adjusting cushioning described above is not the only member of the DSNU range to offer impressive performance. In addition to the basic, standardised version, DSNU is available with four different mounting options, created by combinations of a total of three different bearing caps and four end caps. This include end caps of block design for direct mounting or with flange threads, end caps with threaded lugs and swivel bearings, with air supply connections that are lateral or in-line with the cylinder axis. The advantages for customers are: no need for costly special solutions, more flexibility during system design and less work when ordering. To ensure that ordering remains transparent and simple, the wide variety of available piston diameters, stroke lengths, functions and variants can be selected with just a single order code. Further variants are available with a through piston rod, heat-resistant seals and clamping units.
The DSNU covers all the applications within the ISO 6432 standard but also goes well beyond this. It will appeal to all users who place the most stringent requirements on round cylinders with regard to quality, a wide choice of variants, availability and price/performance ratio. The well-known long service life of Festo cylinders helps ensure system availability and thus guarantee maximum productivity.
Festo
www.festo.com
Solenoid Valves Are No Match For Jet Valves
Festo is launching a new series of jet valves that are said to provide exceptionally rapid switching times of less than 1ms – an order of magnitude faster than standard pneumatic solenoid valves. Based on a new design featuring just one moving part, the new MHJ series jet valves also provide very high switching time repetition accuracies, and are claimed to have an industry-leading service life of 10billion switching cycles. The jet valves are suitable for diverse high-volume sorting applications, especially in the food processing and waste recycling industries.
Festo’s MHJ series jet valves are designed for use with standard 40um filtered compressed air supplies and accommodate a wide range of operating pressures from 0.5 to 6bar. They offer a choice of three 2/2-way fast-switching models, with nominal flow rates of 50, 100 and 150 litres per minute. The valves employ a special short-stroke solenoid and patented damping plate developed using extensive CAE modelling of the magnetic, temperature and flow characteristics to optimise the switching characteristics. To switch at this speed and provide such a long life, the novel design dispenses with dynamic seals and lubrication. The design of the solenoid and damped flat plate also enables the valve to deliver the consistent switching repetition of less than 0.1ms required throughout the operating life of specialist sorting machines.
MHJ series jet valves have a trigger signal voltage range of 3 to 30V DC, enabling them to accommodate standard 5V PLC-level signals without any need for voltage conversion. The valves have a power consumption of 7W, which can be reduced to 2W after the initial turn-on period by use of a holding current control feature, which can be supplied by Festo either integrated into the coil assemblies or incorporated into the application control board.
Festo’s MHJ series jet valves are available as individual units with integrated push-in fittings and can also be supplied with sub-bases for manifold mounting. Festo also produces customised manifolds that enable groups of valves to share the same air supply; these can be fitted with integral jet nozzles, if required.
