Electricitiy + Control February 2015

VALVES + ACTUATORS

ROUND UP

New benchmarks for pneumatic valves

With the compact, lightweight design of its AV series, Aventics (formerly Rexroth Pneumatics) is setting new benchmarks for pneu- matic valves.The AVO5 valve system, the latest addition to the AV family, is designed to allow a closer mounting to actuators, lowering compressed air requirements! Its specialised designs optimise air- channelling for increased flow volume, up to 700 l/min, in minimal space. The result is the AVO5 that provides air flow channelling performance that is the best in its class. As with its already available ‘little brother’ AV03, theAV05 features an up to 45 % more compact size compared with similar valves on the market. “But the modular range consists of much more than the two valves,” emphasisesWolf Gerecke, head of product management at Aventics. “Customers who last saw theAV03 one year ago will be surprised at all the new features the AV system offers today – we have consistently added new options.” Compared with previous valve systems, theAV series features fast switching times, a lowweight, and a small size. As with theAV03, the flow in the AV05 valve system was also optimised. “The valves can be mounted closer to where compressed air is required,” explains Gerecke.The decentralisedAdvanced Electronic System (AES) field- bus connection also does its part.The AES processes analogue as well as digital signals and allows for fast assembly and flexible use. “We called all known principles of design, materials, and assembly into question during the development of this AV series,” Gerecke reports. Firstly, the valve components in the housing are arranged

diagonally, saving up to 45 % more space and secondly shorter distances between the actuator and valve allow for compressed air savings of up to 20 %. “These unique designs clearly show the innovative leap our AV family takes in pneumatics,” says Gerecke. The concept required much more work and expertise than simply the idea of using the maximum length in a specified geometry. For example, high-tech polymers were implemented and a new injection-moulding process was developed specifically to be able to realise the design principle. These new materials make the product up to 40 % lighter. Enquiries: Erika Bennion.Tel. 011 971 9400 or email erika.bennion@tectra.co.za

Custom-designed actuators

Electricity+Control offers more

Mitech ’s Pneumatic Rotary Actuators can be utilised in many industrial, R&D, labora- tory, production and quality inspection applications which require rotary motion. These pneumatic rotary actuators can handle small to medium size payloads with rotation up to 90 ° and can be mounted and operated in any direction. By using the actuators, productiv- ity is improved and costs are reduced.The Pneumatic Rotary Actuators are custom designed and require little maintenance. They are available with either a double crank mechanism for modulating control or a scotch yoke mechanism for on off duty. The actua- tors are field reversible from clockwise-to-close to clockwise-to-open. With their pneumatic piston design, the ac- tuators are offered in large sizes and can be engineered and fitted to

most valves up to a 250 000 Nm torque. By utilising a square drive, the actuators can be mounted perpendicular to or inline with the pipe work and the adjustable end stops can be externally adjusted in both the open and closed position to within 7 º. The single spring design which is pre-stressed in a detachable pack make the actuator easy to assemble and disassemble. Pressure seals are all simple ‘O’ rings reducing maintenance costs. Enquiries: Pieter Badenhorst. Tel. 011 927 4850 or email enquiries@mitech.co.za

E+C Spot On Find all Electricity+Control articles – and so much more – on E+C Spot On.

Electricity+Control Face Value The most recent Electricity+Control Face Values feature Ian Jandrell with his February 2015 ‘comment’ − and Rene Rose, SEW-EuroDrive’s general manager (communications) who discusses the 2014 PneuDrive Challenge with a few people who were involved in this exciting engineering talent competition.

Enquiries:Wendy Izgorsek, Editor, Electricity+Control Tel. 011 622 4770 or email ec@crown.co.za

February ‘15 Electricity+Control

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