In pneumatics, valve terminals refer to a combination of several individual valves. They are combined by a central voltage and compressed air supply, so all valves on a valve terminal are supplied together, both with electrical and pneumatic power. This saves on individual tubing lines and push-in fittings and reduces cabling work. Valve terminals are connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) by default.
Valve terminals are primarily used in process and factory automation, and have become indispensable in the automotive and electronics industries, as well as in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries. With valve terminals and their integrated electrical inputs and outputs, small control tasks can be handled directly on site, independently of the control system. This makes the valve terminal one of the core elements of pneumatic automation.
By using valve terminals, installation work is kept to a minimum and costs manageable – because only one central pneumatic compressed air supply and one central power supply is needed to control a large number of valves and their functions. The configuration represents another advantage: with valve terminals, the communication and automation of numerous valves are combined in one device. This considerably simplifies the installation of software, as valves can be programmed in a network instead of individually. Festo valve terminals also have extensive diagnostic functions, which keep system availability at the highest level and reduce maintenance intervals.
In addition to standards-based and universal valve terminals, Festo also supplies application-specific valve terminals as well as electrical peripheral devices and accessories.
Our standards-based valve terminals are valve modules in accordance with standards ISO 15407-1, 15407-2 and ISO 5599-2 for standard valves that offer versatile valve functions and are available with plug-in or individual connections.
Universal valve terminals are sturdy and modular valve modules intended primarily for standard tasks.
Application-specific valve terminals, on the other hand, are space-saving and compact and designed for special requirements.
You will find accessories for your valve terminal in the form of valves, sub-bases and manifolds, mounting components, actuator attachments as well as valve module-specific products.