A soft-start valve is used to regulate the pressure in a pneumatic system. The pressure is slowly built up to a specific level, so that the system is pressurised appropriately. As soon as the set pressure level is reached, the valve switches to 100%. The valve also exhausts the system to prevent it from being damaged. Soft-start valves are used in a wide range of pneumatic systems, such as in factory automation or in the automotive and aerospace industries.
An on/off valve is used to control the air flow in a pneumatic system. It can be used to start or stop the air flow and regulate it to a certain degree. On/off valves are commonly used in pneumatic systems to control the movement of pneumatic components.
Both types of valves are important in pneumatic systems as they help to ensure the system functions correctly and prevent damage to the system and its components.
The MS series has a comprehensive range of manually, pneumatically as well as electrically actuated on/off valves and soft-start valves in four sizes. The valves of the MS series are characterised by a high flow rate performance, easy-to-integrate sensors and certified safety valves for safely exhausting pneumatic systems. They are ideal for every application.
The pneumatically and electrically actuated valves of the MS series can be configured with and without an integrated soft-start function. They are also available as individual devices and
are easy to install in service units of the MS series thanks to the modular system.
Depending on the configuration, they are also suitable for use in the potentially explosive areas of zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 as well as with UL approval.
The D series with polymer housing has a manual spool valve for specific pressurisation and exhausting. It is available as an individual device, but can also be combined with filter regulators of the D series in polymer.
Devices of the PVEL series can be operated pneumatically and manually and are available as pressurisation and exhaust valves for pressure ranges up to 50 bar. In addition, with the HE-LO series, Festo provides shut-off valves in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 147 "Control of Hazardous Energy" of the US Department of Labor.
Soft-start valves can be used in many possible compressed air preparation applications in pneumatic systems. Here are a few examples of where valves from our various series are needed:
Valves can be actuated manually, pneumatically and electrically. Manually operated valves are usually opened and closed mechanically using levers or handwheels. Valves that are actuated pneumatically are controlled using compressed air. Electrically actuated valves, on the other hand, are actuated using solenoid valves. The type of actuation depends on the specific requirements for the application and should be chosen depending on the requirements for speed, precision and safety of the control system.