Small valves give faster response
For the fastest response, it is necessary to have a pneumatic valve as close to its associated actuator as possible
Problem: . The fastest a pulse can travel, through air, is the speed of sound and actual response is slowed further due to the compressibility of the medium. At the same time, pneumatic valves can be chunky items with a certain associated weight, so their addition to the 'working end' of a piece of fast moving machinery may add excessive inertia.
Solution: Festo has just brought out its CPV-SC valve terminal, which weighs in at just 44g for a multi-pin sub 'D' or flat connector, plus 35g per valve position. Construction is plastic and aluminium alloy, and the SC, standing for Smart Cubic, refers to the 40 x 40mm block cross section.
Despite the low weight and small size (the valve grid is only 10mm), flow rates are up to 150 litres/min. Power consumption is only 1W per coil with a switch on and switch off time of 10ms. The low power consumption arises from use of miniature valves as pilot operators. If supply pressure is within the range 3 to 7 bar (8 bar on request), the valves can be operated with internally distributed pilot air. If supply pressure is within the range -0.9 to 3 bar, they must be operated with external pilot air.
Applications: The valves are considered especially suitable for the operation of miniature cylinders, rotary actuators, vacuum grippers and slides with typical applications being envisaged on robot arms, handling units and in electronic and semiconductor micro-assembly. The terminals can be configured for 4, 8 or 12 valve positions and their operating voltage is 24VDC. TS
