Valves improve flow and positioning

One of the market leaders has increased both the flow and the positioning capabilities of its ranges of pneumatic valves. Tom Shelley reports

Norgren has extended its food grade VM series valve islands to deliver much higher flow rates and brought out microprocessor driven valves capable of being used for pneumatic positioning. The VM15 is a 15mm valve island family with a flow rate of 1000 litres/minute as opposed to the 430 litres/minute capability of the 10mm VM10. Like the VM10, its engineered polymer construction renders it suitable for applications that require chemical wash down procedures. Customers can choose from DIN rail, through hole and sub base mounting options. Valve islands can be configured from 4 to 16 stations with single or double solenoids and with a large number of possibilities for manual overrides and tube fitting sizes. A software configuration tools is available online and on CD. This provides customers with part numbers, prices and dimensions. It is also possible to download CAD drawings in 13 file formats. The V60, on the other hand, is a proportional valve with microprocessor driven position control. It uses a glandless spool and sleeve design. Zero point adjustment via a mini keypad provides an application specific method of adjustment for leakage, drift and offset, and a multicolour LED indicates device status. Used in combination with a PLC, it can be used for positioning. The valve can be used for rotational speed control, velocity control, vacuum generation and torque regulation in mechanical engineering, automotive manufacturing, packaging, printing, paper processing, medical and food applications. It is available in pressure ratings up to 12 bar and with flow capabilities to 1200 litres/min. In standard form, it is suitable for ATEX zone 2 and can deliver more than 250 million operations at full stroke. Protection is to IP65. Connection can be made via G1/4 and 1/4NPT ports Norgren