Pneumatic control valve for safety

June 2006 Pneumatics & Hydraulics

With compensation culture on the increase and the spiralling cost of employers' liability insurance, health and safety compliance is an issue that can no longer be ignored. Machine builders and tool manufacturers using pneumatic circuits to undertake potentially dangerous pressing, crimping or clamping on their production lines now have to ensure the safety of their operators at all times. Automation expert, SMC, can now help guarantee maximum safety, following the launch of its latest control valve - Series VR51. Specifically designed for use in pneumatic air controlled circuits involving press machines etc, the VR51 safety valve uses one output signal and two input signals - which in simple terms means that the valve can only operate when both hands are used, thereby ensuring that hands and fingers are kept well away from any potential danger zones. To activate the valve, both input signals are required within 0,5 seconds of each other and the output will only continue for as long as both the input signals are maintained. Therefore should either input signal be stopped, the valve will simply shut down and will only work once both inputs have been released and the system is restarted again. Designed for use with SMC's easy to use, one touch fittings and Ø6 mm tubing, Series VR51 has EC conformance and meets European EN574 safety requirements.

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