Finding pneumatic valve information can be a challenge because there are so many kinds of valves used in many different ways. Training your employees in the proper installation, care and maintenance of pneumatic valves is the key to preventing accidents. Save lives and your bottom line by training your workforce.

Get valve information from several online sources. If you don't already have a manufacturer that supplies your valves, look for pneumatic valve manufacturers that will provide training and assistance. There are also many other educational opportunities for you to utilize including professional training organizations. Start by:

1. Getting a professional organization to train your employees.

2. Using online training materials to give your employees a pneumatic control valves refresher.

3. Asking valve manufacturers what resources they offer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enroll in a professional pneumatic valves education and training course

Training employees isn't always a simple task, and when they are dealing with complex equipment like pneumatic valves, the education shouldn't be taken lightly. Find a professional training organization that has years of educational experience with good results.

I recommend: ToolingU offers a pneumatic control valve class that makes for a solid starter course for anyone who regularly deals with the pneumatic valve. Another offering from The Hope Group gives a hands-on workshop training session dealing specifically with pneumatic valves.

Find information about pneumatic valves to use for in-house training

Whether you are looking to refresh your company engineers or train in a new maintenance operator, in-house educational classes may be a budget-friendly way to get the job done. Look for informative and complete pneumatic valve training materials online and hold your own training sessions.

I recommend: Get any equipment and hands-on training materials you need for pneumatic educational seminars at Industrial Training Equipment, or purchase a pneumatic training course from TPC Training Systems. Their pneumatic troubleshooting course can be purchased for online use, or you can buy the course manual to use at your own discretion.

Get information you need from a pneumatic valve manufacturer

The most current and accurate valve information may be only a mouse-click away. Ask your current valve manufacturer or supplier for any educational materials they offer, or go online and find several good pneumatic valve resources.

I recommend: Enroll prospective or current engineers in a systems engineering certification program offered at Enfield Technologies. Their specialized pneumatic valve distributors and engineering training are aimed at educating organizations considering their technology. Use the information provided by Festo to educate or train your valve engineers, maintenance crew and workers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The pneumatic control valve can easily malfunction without the proper maintenance and constant observation. Make sure employees know what to look for when observing the valve by regularly updating their training.

Pneumatic valves are available for two different purposes. A pneumatically controlling valve, also called an air valve, controls the flow of air, while a pneumatically controlled valve, also called a solenoid valve, uses air to control the flow of fluids. Typically, water or electricity operate a pneumatically controlling valve.

Pneumatic control valves are used in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, food processing and machining. Valves are available for general purpose as well as for specific applications. A pneumatic valve's function can be as simple as starting and stopping a material's flow or as complex as stopping a double-acting cylinder mid-stroke. Because of their frequent exposure to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals, pneumatic valves should be constructed of heat- and corrosion-resistant materials. When purchasing pneumatic valves, consider the following:

1. Browse the inventories of pneumatic valve distributors for direct acting pneumatic valves to control the flow of fluids.

2. Use pilot-operated pneumatic valves to equalize differential pressure.

3. Utilize manual pneumatic valves for an economical option.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Order from direct acting pneumatic valve manufacturers

Direct acting pneumatic valves typically control the flow of fluids and use a plunger that opens and closes the primary opening in the valve's body. Direct acting valves are available in several models, including three- and four-way configurations. Certain models of direct acting pneumatic valves can function without lubrication at low and high temperatures.

I recommend: Order direct acting pneumatic valves from Humphrey. The pneumatic valve manufacturer offers valves with a variety of features, including low current consumption, high/low temperature operation, low leakage, media compatibility and no lubrication. Alcon Solenoid Valves offers a brass high-flow general purpose direct acting pneumatic valve.

Purchase pilot-operated industrial pneumatic valves

Pilot-operated pneumatic valves implement a diaphragm rather than a plunger. This type of pneumatic valve uses an air vent to equalize differential pressure, which allows fluids to flow through the valve. Pilot-operated pneumatic valves are also available in various configurations.

I recommend: Air-Oil Systems offers same-day shipping on pilot-operated pneumatic valves. The company's inventory includes pilot-operated pneumatic valves in a four-way configuration. Find pilot-operated pneumatic poppet valves at Lexair. The valves are constructed of non-corrosive materials and suitable for many applications. OceanTec Electronics manufactures pilot-operated pneumatic valves for gases, fuels or cryogenic oxidizers.

Implement a manual industrial pneumatic valve

Manual pneumatic valves are operated by a worker's hand or foot as opposed to electricity. Manual valves are available with foot pedals and buttons or levers. This type of valve is an economical option for actuating both single-acting and double-acting cylinders.

I recommend: Browse an inventory of manual pneumatic valves, including foot-operated valves, at Sizto Tech. The manufacturer of pneumatic valves offers a models ranging from two- to four-way configurations. Find general purpose cam, foot, hand and button pneumatic valves at Mead Fluid Dynamics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Industrial pneumatic valves made from aluminum alloys offer both high heat resistance and high corrosion resistance. Corrosion resistance is necessary for pneumatic valves that come into contact with chemicals.

Pneumatic valves, also referred to as air valves, are versatile components in many manufacturing and industrial systems. Utilizing air, these valves can control the flow of all manner of liquids and gases as well as controlling the movement of parts within a system. These valves can be found in a wide variety of environments, from garages to laboratories to boiler rooms.

As useful as pneumatic valves are, they may not apply to all industries. Learning more about pneumatic valves applications and uses will help to determine if they are a good fit for your needs. The following is a sample of the industries most often utilizing pneumatic valves:

1. The transportation industry, from suspension to the engine
2. Utility equipment, from furnaces to industrial laundry equipment
3. A wide variety of life science applications
4. The packaging of materials, from food to pharmaceuticals

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for pneumatic control valves in the suspension and engines of transportation vehicles

Transportation is a major industry that utilizes pneumatic control valves. They are present in simple aspects, such as air suspension systems, as well as the intricate workings of engines of everything from cars on the street, to planes in the air, to shuttles in space.

I recommend: HPS explains the basics of air suspension systems. Parker Hannifin discusses the various aerospace and transportation uses of the pneumatic control valve.

Find industrial pneumatic valves in heating and laundry equipment

Many pieces of heating equipment, such as boilers and furnaces, will have an industrial pneumatic valve controlling the flow of steam or fuels. Pneumatic control valves in industrial laundry equipment can control the flow of water for washing and gas for drying and pressing.

I recommend: ASCO Valve gives pneumatic valve information for a variety of combustion-based heating equipment as well as explaining the use of the pneumatic valve in industrial laundry facilities. United Brass Works offers information on pneumatic valves made specifically for laundry equipment.

Notice pneumatic valve distributors offering valves for life science applications

Pneumatic valves can be made compact, low energy and low heat. This makes them useful in a wide variety of life science laboratory applications, in both the medical and research fields. Processes that utilize pneumatic valves include fermentation, water treatment, filtration and inside the centrifuge.

I recommend: ThomasNet Industrial Newsroom discusses development of a low energy pneumatic valve that works well for life science applications. SMC has developed a line of pneumatic valves that work well in laboratory situations.

Take note of pneumatic valve manufacturers supplying valves for packaging needs

Pneumatic valves show up in many spots along the packaging process. They can be used for plastic molding to create the packages, as well as used in packaging lines for food, beverage and pharmaceuticals, among other industries.

I recommend: Decision News Media discusses new pneumatic valves designed for high pressure plastic molding operations. Norgren offers a line of pneumatic valves ideal for packaging applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Once you determine pneumatic control valves would be useful for your business, be sure to educate yourself on pneumatic valve information to become familiar with the many types of valves, including relief, solenoid, poppet, globe and butterfly valves, to ensure you are making the most of your pneumatic system.