Pneumatic manual valve

Pneumatic manual valve

Pneumatic manual valve

Pneumatic valves are an important element of pneumatic systems, responsible for the flow of compressed air supplying individual elements of the system. The manual pneumatic valve is used in places where it is necessary to supervise the work manually by the operator. It has the ability to directly control the air flow by moving the valve slider. The slider can be moved by means of a lever, button or pull rod. A wide selection of pneumatic valves in the Pneumatig offer will allow you to choose a solution compatible with any pneumatic system.

What are pneumatic valves used for?

In pneumatic systems, individual working elements are supplied with compressed air under high pressure. It is generated by a compressor that introduces air into the system after appropriate treatment, which is done by filters. In order to achieve the specific specifics of the system operation, the air flow must be properly controlled. Depending on the application of the system, air pressure must be reduced or increased, transferred to various elements of the system, and at the same time cut off access to others, as well as control the specificity of the movement by introducing and cutting off compressed air. A manual pneumatic valve is one of the elements that allows you to control the direction and pressure of compressed air.

Not all systems allow the use of fully automated processes. Sometimes it is necessary for an operator to directly control air flow and pressure. Depending on the functions performed, the pneumatic valve can be divided into several categories: dividing, non-return, choke or reduction. Safety valves also play an important role, as they allow the pressure to increase when it becomes too high a pressure to be stopped. We can also divide the valves due to the way they are operated by the operator. They can be equipped with a lever, a button, a pull rod or a pedal. A correctly selected pneumatic manual valve has a very significant impact on the operation of the entire pneumatic system.

How does a manual air valve work?

Simply put, any manual air valve works on an action-response principle. The action is to press a button or pull a lever. The response differs depending on the type of valve selected. It can be a pressure increase or decrease, a diversion, a release, or a cut-off. As the name implies, a pneumatic manual valve is operated by a skilled operator who determines the response to interaction with the valve.

Pneumatic systems are indispensable in all branches of modern industry. They play an important role in production and transport lines. The operation of the entire system is ensured by the supply of compressed air to individual components. The pneumatic manual valve allows direct influence on the operation of the entire system. In this type of systems, there is a need to reduce the pressure, completely choke the flow or open it at the right moment. In places where automatic valves cannot be used, manual valves controlled by the operator are used.

What is a manual pneumatic valve used for?

Controlling the air flow determines the operation of the entire pneumatic system, which sets certain elements in motion. These types of systems are used in production plants, sorting plants, in warehouses, workshops or processing plants. A manual pneumatic valve allows you to conveniently control the air flow, which of course allows you to obtain a specific response, depending on the needs and specifics of the work.

The advantage of pneumatic systems is the lack of ignition, which enables operation in various conditions. Therefore, such systems cannot always incorporate the numerous sensors and other electronic systems that would be necessary for the automatic control of the valves. Furthermore, constant control by the operator is sometimes necessary. A manual pneumatic valve is used in precisely such situations, when the automation of processes for various reasons is not an option.

Popular types of pneumatic valves

As we said, depending on the type of valve, you can get a certain reaction. Therefore, the selection of a specific valve is a key factor. Which Pneumatic Manual Valve is Right for You? It depends on how you want the airflow to change. Here are the most popular types:

  • Distribution valves - with the help of these valves, you can change the direction of the compressed air flow, e.g. by transferring it to specific elements of the pneumatic system, or to an outlet when venting the system.

  • Check valves - These valves can be used to control the air pressure in the system. By rapidly emptying the cylinder chamber, it is possible to increase the speed of the piston. For this purpose, a manual quick pneumatic valve is used, as valves with this specificity usually require a specific action to be performed at the right time.

  • Throttle valves - This type of valve is also used to control the pressure of compressed air. In the case of rotary and linear actuators, a manual throttling pneumatic valve enables the stepless adjustment of the speed of the working elements.

  • Pneumatic pressure reducing valves - a very important group of valves that allows you to maintain a specific value of the output pressure and air intensity. They are equipped with a spring which is controlled by the mushroom button or lever. With the help of this valve, the flow can be throttled or shut off in order to precisely control the pressure of the compressed air.

In order to increase the safety of pneumatic systems, you can also use a specialized small manual pneumatic valve , which will allow you to quickly stop the increase in operating pressure in a situation where it reaches incorrect values. These are safety valves that can be placed in several strategic places in the system.

How can the valve be controlled?

One of the most important criteria for valve selection is, of course, the control method. The most popular valves are the manual pneumatic profession with a lever. Such valves usually have a 3/2, 5/2, 5/3 slide structure, while appropriate setting of the lever in the right position allows for air flow with specific parameters. On the other hand, a valve with a button is a bit less common, which is commonly used in the case of safety valves, as well as throttle valves, in which the compressed air flow can be released or throttled with the use of a button.

Yet another solution is a valve with a cable connected to a cable, which is responsible for setting the valve in the right position. Valves of this type ensure good regulation of compressed air parameters. The foot valve is also used in pneumatic systems. This is a special pedal that allows the operator to control the airflow by pressing and releasing with his foot. This type of solution is very popular, for example, in rotary work tables, which enable more efficient and faster work. There are also indirectly controlled valves that can be managed e.g. with a remote control. Such a wide selection of control methods makes it easier to choose a manual pneumatic valve to the specificity of the system operation.

What to look for when choosing a pneumatic valve?

Knowing the specific application of pneumatic competition, it is of course easier to deduce what criteria are most important when choosing the right part. An important issue is the number of flow paths. The valves can be divided into 3-way, 4-way and 5-way. Another factor is the number of possible valve positions. In the case of valves with a push button, these are usually 2 positions, while in the case of valves with a lever, there are also 3-position valves. Each position determines the setting of specific compressed air paths.

A well-chosen pneumatic hand valve must also be compatible with the connections used in the system. For this, pay attention to the type and diameter of the valve. When it comes to valve control, we already know that there are valves with a lever, a push button, a poppet. a cable as well as a foot pedal. However, the above elements can be connected to wires screwed into threaded connections as well as to plates. In this way, we can distinguish between in-line and plate valves.

What should a good pneumatic valve look like?

The entire operation of the pneumatic system depends on the correct air flow. It is the correctly selected and fitted pneumatic manual valve that will allow the operator to directly influence the pressure and flow direction. A good valve must be made of quality components with care for the smallest details. As a result, moving a lever or pressing a button is a simple and effortless operation. Much also depends on the type of valve itself, whether it is intended for quick reactions or for precise settings. Professional valves meet certain ISO standards and norms.

Pneumatic manual valves in the Pneumatig offer

In the Pneumatig store you will find a wide selection of manual pneumatic valves needed to directly control the pressure and direction of the air flow. Our offer includes valves from proven and reputable manufacturers. They were made of the best components, and their quality is confirmed by certificates confirming compliance with European standards and requirements. In our store you can easily find a specific type of pneumatic manual valve , designed for specific purposes. Each of the products has been described in detail, thanks to which the choice of a model with a specific specification becomes much easier.