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Easy Steps To Valve Specifying

Fluid power components called valves are actually control devices that direct pneumatic or hydraulic flow through a fluid power system. Applied to cylinders, they control the extension, retraction or stopping. Applied to motors or rotary actuators, valves control clockwise or counterclockwise motion or they stop rotation.

Specifying a valve component in a system requires the observation of the system characteristics, and the application of logic and information. Most of the questions are pretty straightforward.

The information sought below can help you communicate with IBT and get the right replacement unit first time every time. Some of the questions assume a certain technical familiarity with fluid power, but most do not.

Questions to be ready to ask and/or answer:

Is the system hydraulic or pneumatic?
Do you know the brand name of the valve?
Do you have a model number, part number and/or serial number?
What is the CFM (pneumatic) or GPM (hydraulic)?
What is the operating pressure?
How is it actuated? (electrical, lever, air or hydraulic pilot)
If the valve operates electrically, what is the voltage?
What does the valve do? (Does it operate a cylinder, motor, rotary actuator)
Do you know the purpose of the valve? (Does it retract and extend a cylinder, does it stop midway, does it turn a motor, is the motor reversible)
How many positions does the valve have? (two positions, three positions)
What size are the ports?
How does it mount? (Sub-base, inline, stacking)
Do you require any related products? (cylinders, motors, rotary actuators, tubing, tubing fittings, filters, regulators, lubricators, mufflers, flow controls)
How many valves do you need? How quickly do you need them?
Do you have any specific brand preferences or requirements?
Do you need a valve to replace something that has exhausted its useful life? Or did some other problem in the design or maintenance of the system lead to the need?
If an existing valve is being replaced, is the unit in place the proper size and performance specification? Or do you different or modified specifications and tolerances?
Who spec'd the system originally? Has the application been reviewed within the past 2 years?

To learn more about valves or the full line of products and services available from IBT Fluid Power Products, just ask us.




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