Festo, a leading provider of pneumatic and electric automation technology, has recently introduced a new product that represents a technological leap in controlled pneumatics. The product is the VTEP proportional valve terminal, which offers high precision, fast response times, and dynamic control over pressure and flow rate of fluids or gases.
The VTEP is the first proportional valve terminal on the market that uses piezo technology, which enables precise control over the valve opening and closing. Piezo valves are compact, energy-efficient, and operate quickly and accurately. They also have no wear, no particle abrasion, and no heat generation, making them ideal for sensitive applications.
The VTEP can be used for a variety of applications, such as wafer polishing, injection molding, robotics, medical devices, and more. It can control pressure and vacuum in the range of 0 to 6 bar and -1 to +1 bar, and can handle different media, such as air, neutral gases, steam, water, and aggressive fluids. It can also switch between different parameters or presets during operation, allowing for the creation of different functionalities using the same valve in real-time.
The VTEP features a closed-loop controller with advanced algorithms that require only a few input parameters. The controller ensures that the valve responds to changes in input signals proportionally and predictably, and that it handles vibrations and disturbances effectively. The controller also provides feedback on whether the setpoint has been reached or maintained, and can trigger the next process step.
The VTEP has a compact design, with a width of less than 120 mm and up to 10 working channels per terminal. It can be easily integrated into multi-channel applications, and can control two separate channels simultaneously within one valve unit. It also uses high-speed EtherCAT communication channels, which enable real-time data exchange and synchronization.
The VTEP is a revolutionary product that demonstrates Festo’s innovation and expertise in controlled pneumatics. It offers a new level of performance, efficiency, and flexibility for pneumatic applications, and opens up new possibilities for using pneumatics in automated systems.
