Piezo proportional flow control valve for dynamic performance

The VEMD is a mass flow controller integrating a flow sensor with a proportional valve and controller, and is designed to proportionally control the flow of compressed air and inert gases within a small, neat and calibrated package. It compares the required signal value with the actual, sensor-measured value within its closed loop electronic controller and then adjusts the output using the piezo pilot valve. The piezo pilot valve provides a wide variety of advantages including silent operation, the absence of heat generation, a compact and lightweight design and long service life - as well as an unmatched low power consumption of only 1 Watt.

These characteristics make the VEMD eminently suitable for life sciences and mobile applications, ranging from ventilators and anaesthesia to operating equipment for ophtalmology and dental drills. Its small size, energy efficiency and silent operation make it suitable for patient-side operation for those who are bed bound and need rest uninterrupted by noisy solenoids. It is also very attractive for patients reliant on portable oxygen delivery systems, where it is less socially intrusive than alternative designs. An additional benefit is that it is non-magnetic and so does not interfere with other medical equipment.

Other industries can also benefit for the VEMD's characteristics, including applications in semiconductor / electronics manufacture (control of combustive gases), food and beverage (quality inspection, protective gas delivery) and pharma (bioreactors and fermenters). In special purpose machine building, the VEMD can be specified for a wide variety of tasks, such as mixing of air into test stations, controlling humidity, inert gas welding, 3D printing, mass spectrometry and many more.

The VEMD is designed to control flows of up to 20 l/m at a maximum pressure of 2.5 bar. The modular design of the VEMD addresses the needs of OEM customers as well as end users. The gas flow at the output of the valve can be adjusted very easily and controlled in linear mode by entering a setpoint between 0 and 10V. An integrated control circuit with thermal sensor makes the VEMD precise and dynamic. It responds up to 35 times faster than comparable products to a setpoint change, and is ready for operation straight out of the box.

The VEMD proportional flow control valve is part of Festo's high-performance piezo technology gas-handling range, which includes a selection of proportional valves and pressure regulators. Based on this technology platform Festo's specialist application engineering team has worked closely with clients in medical, semi-conductor and other sectors to provide application-specific products, e.g. for oxygen and other volatile gases.

Follow the link for more information about the VEMD proportional flow control valve from Festo.