New Festo VTUX pneumatic valve terminals squarely aimed at machine builders As you would expect, the technology has transformed during this time. Festo has continuously evolved the format and features of many new valve terminal ranges. As the technology has matured both the mechanical valve mountings and the electrical connectivity have evolved through several iterations. Festo decided to create one of its largest cross-function design teams to look at what machine builders are going to be looking for in the next 5-10 years. Their brief was for a ground-up rethink to create another true step change in valve terminals technology. They were tasked to develop a new product range to be called VTUX standing for Valve Terminal Universal “X”. They knew any radically new terminals needed to address both the mechanics/ pneumatics and the electrical connectivity within a single platform therefore both disciplines were embedded from the start. Pneumatic valve terminals are a key element in the performance of many of today’s automated machines. They interface between the electronics – the software and controls, providing the intelligence, and the actuators and sensors driving the motion and sending feedback. Steve Sands of Festo looks at the scope for improvement even within this mature piece of equipment. Valve terminals have come a long way in the 30 years since Festo introduced them New Valve Terminal Universal “X” To maximise the benefit of the platform approach they focused on creating a design that spanned from high-volume, low-cost, basic functionality to highly featured, technology rich options that addressed future technologies and specialist requirements in sectors previously seen as niches. The “X” in the type description signified the ‘built-in flexibility’ to incorporate many new and innovative features in the coming months and years. The VTUX designers and developers reaped the benefits of long-term investments the company research department has made, building up computer aided design experience and expertise, and developing software tools created by comparing theoretical CAE models with thousands of hours of real life pneumatic lab results to hone the accuracy of the software predictions and to provide developers with a uniquely powerful CAE software tool kit. This enabled the VTUX engineers to optimise production and material costs, CO2 usage during manufacture and balance these against supplying higher flow rates in less space, increase the operating life expectancy and identify ways to improve the electrical (solenoid) energy efficiency. Festo introduced the concept of valve terminals to the automation sector 30 years ago, moving the technology on from purely mechanical/pneumatic sub-bases by integrating electrical connections to the solenoids and feedback signals e.g., cylinder switches. The machine building sector welcomed the time and cost saving innovation with open arms.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=