Unique uses for pneumatic valves

Pneumatic valves play an important role in the control of pressure and airflow through pneumatic systems, but they’re useful for more unique applications as well. There are a wide range of pneumatic valves in industrial settings, so continue reading our helpful guide if you’d like to learn more about them.

Where are pneumatic valves used?

Pneumatic valves are used in a wide variety of industries, from medical to chemical and automation to corrugation. Compressed air is clean, easy to use, and readily available. So its wide usage is no surprise.

Two of the larger industries that use pneumatic valves are automation and food. The automation industry uses cylinders and other actuators to produce or process goods at a high rate. The food industry takes advantage of the same quick processing of goods, but without contamination, and while still being resistant to liquids and other food additives.

Unique pneumatic valve applications

Pneumatic valves are not just used for the above industries, though, as they can be used in a variety of applications and systems. Listed below are some of the more unique uses of pneumatic valves, including how solenoid valves are used.

Surgical sterilisation equipment

Pneumatic valves have been known to be useful in the medical field when it comes to sterilising equipment. Although the techniques used for cleaning and sterilising medical tools and equipment can vary, the goal is always the same. That is to efficiently destroy microbes that exist on surgical tools, which guarantees the surgical process isn’t a contributor to a patient’s ill health.

Using low temperature sterilisation dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to efficiently clean medical tools and equipment, from five hours down to just one hour. These machines use vaporised hydrogen peroxide and ozone to destroy pathogens.

Surgical sterilisation equipment features vacuum chambers that use pneumatic valves to ensure cleanliness in their design and function. This particular application uses the high-powered solenoid valves as just one component.

What is a solenoid valve?

A solenoid valve is an electro-mechanical valve that is commonly used to control the flow of liquid or gas in a positive, fully-open or fully-closed mode. They are often used to replace manual valves, or for remote control.

Solenoid valves consist of a coil, plunger and sleeve assembly. In normally closed valves, a plunger return spring holds the plunger against the orifice, and prevents flow. Once the solenoid coil is energised, the resultant magnetic field raises the plunger, enabling flow. When the solenoid coil is energised in a normally open valve, the plunger seals off the orifice, which prevents flow.

Pneumatic level sensing solution

Pneumatic float valves are the ideal solution for an alcohol plant’s level sensing and control needs. The design consists of a buoyancy-style level sensor, paired magnetically with a pneumatic output valve. The buoyant float detects the liquid level and controls the opening and closing of the pneumatic valve.

The pneumatic devices use air pressure to perform their functions, and with no electrical components, they are safe to use around combustibles that are typically found in an alcohol production plant.

Pneumatic valves at Matara

Matara works hard to deliver an unbeatable range of pneumatic and linear automation products, backed by technical expertise and market-leading value.

From our headquarters in Gloucestershire, our team manufactures and supplies to a wide range of customers across all sectors of industry. From automotive to aerospace, food to pharmaceuticals, our reputation has grown as the partner of choice for service, delivery and peace of mind.

As a privately owned business, we are able to operate on a more flexible basis than others in our sector. We know that our clients appreciate this as they see the direct benefit in areas such as pricing policies, relationships with key personnel and management, and short and effective lines of communication.

At Matara, we have a huge range of pneumatic valves. Visit our website today to view our Mindman range of Pneumatic Valves from solenoid valves and manifold islands to pilot and mechanical valves.

For any more information, do not hesitate to contact us.