Low cost pneumatic process actuator

Festo has released an updated, configurable, low cost quarter turn actuator (DFPD). The DFPD fits into the existing range alongside pilot solenoid valves, analogue positional controllers, switch boxes, and ball and butterfly valves giving engineers matched components that are easy to configure and assemble.

The DFPD is claimed to be suitable for tasks including automating butterfly or ball valves and air dampers in the chemical, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in water treatment. It can be used as an individual actuator or combined with other components, such as sensor boxes, positioners and pilot valves, as part of a complete, integrated single manufacturer automated process valve system.

With a torque range from 10 to 480Nm, a rotation angle of up to 180° and corrosion-resistant versions, the versatile and modular single or double-acting DFPD performs well across a range of applications and industries. Both the end stop positions can be adjusted by ± 5° for increased flexibility during commissioning. The direction of rotation can be selected and the rotation angle for standard sizes is up to 90°, rising to 180° for the 40, 120, 240 and 480 sizes.

Nine different spring combinations allow pressures from 2 to 6bar to be efficiently configured in increments of 0.5bar to meet the most precise operating pressure requirements. The standard version is suitable for temperatures between -20 and 80°C, with variants also available to operate reliably at either low or high extreme temperatures, ranging from -50 to 150°C.