Product category:
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
News Release from: Festo | Subject: VTSA
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 January 2006
Pneumatic valve terminal simplifies
automation
A new Festo electro-pneumatic valve family builds full-featured automation systems around a configurable manifold - replacing control cabinet functionality with a standalone, point-of-use system
Festo has launched a major electro-pneumatic valve family that allows full-featured automation systems to be built around a configurable manifold - allowing the functionality of a control cabinet to be replaced with a standalone, point-of-use system Ease of configuration and access are fundamental to the design of the new valve family - VTSA - to suit users creating machines for demanding application environments such as continuous processes
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 20 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Modular valve terminal offers major cost-savings
The new valve terminal is a highly flexible system that permits any combination of valves and regulator modules, and offers advanced industrial Ethernet and fieldbus-based diagnostics
Here, the advantages of a terminal with industry-standard dimension valves - compliant with ISO 15407-2 - are complemented by intrinsic modularity that allows systems to built with different pressure zones, gas zones, and electrical power isolation.
Festo is renowned for its innovation in pneumatic valves, and it has used its very wide application experience in this area to give VTSA a high degree of versatility.
For example, VTSA supports 'hot swap' valve changeovers, enabling valve bodies to be exchanged without turning off the air supply to the manifold for reduced downtime and disruption.
Further reading
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Latest-generation valve terminals from Festo feature AS-interface, for fast, cost-effective distributed I/O control systems with drop-in flexibility
Festo launches new products and services
Europe's leading pneumatics and automation company, Festo, will be actively participating in this year's PPMA show at the TOTAL Processing and Packaging Exhibition
It's also possible to make all air connections face in the same direction, to suit the space available or to offer an improved controls layout.
This focus on user-oriented detail extends to the gauges on the optional pressure regulator sandwich plates, which swivel for easier setting and reading.
Large easy to read labels can be clipped onto valves and sub-bases for instant commissioning, fault finding and identification.
The VTSA terminal family includes over 150 new components, ranging from solenoid valves in all standard configurations, through sub-bases, supply-plates, end-plates and gaskets, to a wide choice of vertically stackable components and accessories such as pressure and flow regulators and hot-swap adapter plates.
VTSA is compatible with both 18 mm (ISO 02) and 26 mm (ISO 01) valves.
A novel feature of the VTSA design is its ability to combine both valve sizes in one installation without an adapter.
This can save considerable installation space in the machine or control cabinet.
Electrical actuation can be achieved by configuring VTSA systems with terminal boxes, multi-pin connections, or the popular Festo CPX modular electrical I/O system.
As standard, integrated diagnostics allow incorrect valve allocations, coil short-circuits or lack of a load supply to be detected directly via LEDs.
If systems are fitted with the CPX I/O system, powerful additional diagnostics are available via a handy plug-in MMI or via the fieldbus system to help minimise downtime, increase availability and reduce operating costs.
To support machine builders in the target markets for this new product, Festo offers a free software tool for configuring VTSA systems, via its online shop.
Configurations generated by this tool can be ordered from Festo electronically using a single part number, for delivery as assembled and tested modules within two days. Request a free brochure from Festo ...
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