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• Use, storage and transport conditions for Festo products
• Standards in pneumatics
• Compressed air preparation
• Operating conditions for valves
• Port designations of pneumatic components to ISO 5599
• Operating conditions for drives
• Pressure/force table and graphBuckling load graph
• Air consumption
• Pneumatics and explosion protection – ATEX
• EC directives/approvals
• Design – Clean room suitability
• Paint-wetting impairment substances and resistance to media
• Corrosion resistance class CRC
• Protection classes according to IEC/EN 60529
• Functional earth – protective earth – PELV
• Spark arresting

Individual valves or valve terminals – which is the most suitable option for actuating pneumatically automated process valves? What are the technological and economic differences between the two? We will use a cost comparison to compare and contrast the two options. And what are the differences in terms of commissioning? Which diagnostic options are available with valve terminals for reducing unscheduled downtime? These are the questions that will be examined in this article.

Number one choice as a control valve
Designed for the toughest demands, even in extreme environments
Certificates, expert opinions and testimonials demonstrate that the solenoid valves are suitable for the toughest demands when it comes to operational safety, availability and flexibility in use. Even outdoors and in difficult ambient conditions. The world’s preferred ignition protection types are offered: Ex e mb, Ex ia, Ex db and Ex d.

On/off process valves can be automated in different ways using pneumatics. This white paper looks at automation using an individual valve, a valve terminal and a digital valve terminal, and compares the three actuation methods in terms of:

• Required hardware/components and the installation

effort involved

• Investment costs

• Potential for compressed air savings and increased

energy efficiency

• Diagnostic and maintenance options

• Potential for function integration

• Possible applications in safety-related circuits

• Possible applications in potentially explosive areas

Why should you choose your valves carefully?

The increasing demands placed on valve technology in recent years have led to a formidable extension of the range of available technologies and valve types, models, and properties. The most commonly used are poppet valves and piston spool valves. Nowadays, there is hence a much wider choice of customised valve technology to successfully plan a project. However, choosing the right parts for the application at hand requires comprehensive knowledge and an accurate appraisal by the consulting engineer or technician. This White Paper is intended to offer you a brief overview.

This white paper contains information on:

• An introduction to valve technologies
• Poppet valves, piston spool valves and the cartridge principle – what you need to know
• Which valve type suits you best? A valve selection aid

Summary:
Due to their bistable characteristics, bistable valves in certain applications present the user with tasks that seem to be difficult to solve. This application example is to show how a solution can be developed systematically taking the various operating states and operating transitions into account. Considering the various hazards in the various operating statuses of the machine appears a sensible approach to finding the solution. They require chronologically successive, different reactions of the safety circuit to implement the required protective measures.

Summary:
Technical Reports 2 and 3 [1-2] and DGUV Information FB HM-076 [3] already explained the circumstances under which bistable valves can be used in safety-related applications. The present report links these reports to the current product portfolio of Festo AG & Co. KG. The suitability of the bistable valves listed for safety-related applications can be confirmed taking the previous series of technical reports and respective technical documentation of the individual components into consideration.