Cost-effective pneumatic valve terminal

Festo has launched a new pneumatic valve terminal that delivers high performance in a compact and robust unit. The cost-effective VTUG multipin terminal is a simple-to-apply universal valve device that has many electrical connection options, giving machine builders and end users greater flexibility for ease of control and installation.

The VTUG gives excellent performance with a high flow rate and high pressure for its compact size and is ideal for food, beverage, packing, electronics, semiconductor and light assembly industries where assured performance is essential.

This valve terminal is connected and controlled via D sub or ribbon cable connectors for easy connection and simple system integration. This multipin connector can be easily swapped out for an iport connector allowing connection to the industry standard IO-Link network as well as to many Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet protocols.

The valve terminal is also available with various pneumatic working port connection options including semi-inline, sub-base as well as a sub-base solution with working ports underneath, making it ideal for control cabinet installation as the manifold itself forms part of the cabinet. This enables the fast build of cabinets and saves on the cost of separate gland plates to get the tubing in and out of the cabinet.

It is a robust and reliable terminal and is available with up to 24 valve positions on a single valve terminal and with two 3/2 valves in one position you can achieve up to 48 functions on one manifold. Alternative products do not have as many valves on one manifold, and as a result, it saves cost and space as well as making machines easier to build.

The valves are suitable for low and high pressure operation, from -0.9 to 10 bar, and can support positive pressure and vacuum on one manifold thanks to being able to create multiple pressure zones on one terminal. This means that machine builders no longer need two separate manifolds, therefore saving cost and space.

Users can easily switch between external and internal pilot air without having to specify prior to building, making the terminal ideal for use with vacuum or low pressure applications. This flexibility means OEMs can change their mind during the build without ordering additional parts.

VTUG is robust and tough, with an IP40 or IP67 rating providing reliable operation in a wide range of environments and in ambient temperatures of up to 60°C, meaning that one standard product is suitable for all applications.

Festo’s VTUG pneumatic valve terminals operate with air filtered to 40 microns, so only one air filter is required in the air preparation system. With alternative products, air needs to be filtered three times, to five microns in particulate size. However, each time air is filtered, energy is lost, so as a result of using the VTUG, end users can increase energy efficiencies throughout their process.

VTUG is exceptionally easy to order using Festo’s online configurator. Users simply enter their specifications and the configurator produces one part number and a 2D or 3D CAD drawing. It is then delivered fully assembled in just one week.

“The VTUG is one of the most economic, reliable and simplest to use universal valve terminals with a long service life,” says Jacqui Hanbury, product manager at Festo. “It is pre-built and tested before being delivered, so it arrives ready to plug in, which means it is exceptionally easy to install, therefore saving time and reducing errors and risk of air leakage associated with having to build a terminal from separate parts.”