Direct-acting valves for food and beverage applications

The valves are actuated directly by a solenoid, and design simplicity enables cost efficiency for high-volume OEM procurement. The new valve range is ideally suited to OEMs of a wide range of equipment, such as commercial coffee machines and hot drink vending machines.

The valves provide on/off control and the range includes the two-port (2/2) 7015 plunger valve, the three-port (3/2) 7016 plunger valve, as well as the three-port (3/2) 7017 rocker valve for media separation, such as milk dosing. The powerful solenoid enables a compact valve design while the core can endure up to 100,000 cycles. The valves feature robust push-in connections and a highly durable body, constructed from PPS food-grade plastic. This enables them to handle media temperatures up to 100C, and the valves are pressure-resistant up to 12 bar.

The new range has been developed according to Brkert's renowned design and manufacturing quality, yet its material construction and direct action enables it to achieve a competitive price point. This makes the valves ideally suited to high-volume OEMs that place a high priority on cost efficiency.

For fast and simple maintenance that can minimise downtime, all of the valves feature tool-free opening and closing. The 7015/16 valves include screw tops that can be quickly removed, enabling easy replacement of the magnetic core during servicing. To maintain the 7017 media separation valve, only the diaphragm requires replacement as opposed to the complete fluidics unit. The diaphragm is also reached via a quick-release, tool-free mechanism, that offers easy access and inspection.

To simplify initial OEM installation, a hose connection directly on the valve means that no additional adaptors, seals, or push-in fittings are required. The valves can also be mounted directly onto a backplane.

To optimise hygiene, the valves are also fast and simple to clean, including the 7017 valve with rocker technology used for media such as milk. The range achieves hygienic compliance and meets FDA and NSF approvals, as well as EC 1935/2004.