Festo introduces new range of pneumatic valves

Festo (www.festo.com) has expanded its CPX automatic platform with the addition of a new range of low cost modular pneumatic valves along with a complementary series of low cost digital I/O modules.

The sub-bases of the MPA-L valve terminals are manufactured from polymer and not from metal to save weight and cost, and can be retrofitted and configured in the field one at a time. The all-new terminals are primarily intended for cost sensitive applications requiring configuration expandability and flexibility, such as in biotechnology, factory automation and food processing industry.

Meanwhile, the complementary CPX-L digital I/O modules are high channel density units, cost optimized and targeted at I/O intensive automation control systems.

Providing increased design granularity, the modular valve terminals, which are based on Festo’s MPA-S terminals, simplify system integration with its wider range of electrical connection options. Aside from being compatible with the company’s CPX modular automation platform, the MPA-L valve terminals are also offered with various hard wired control schemes.

Directly connecting the valve terminal sub-base to a CPX terminal provides access to a range of Industrial Ethernet and fieldbus products, as well as technology and analog modules.

The MPA-L terminals have been equipped with generously proportioned air ducts to ensure reliable switching and maximize flow of multiple valves. With isolated ducting accommodating different pressure zones, a simple selector mechanism allows the pilot air supply of the valve to be derived externally or internally in high or low pressure applications. The terminals’ exhaust air can be ducted to an external outlet or fed through high efficiency surface silencer, making them suitable for use in clean environments such as food processing area.