Festo Unveils MS6-SV Soft-Start And Exhaust Valve

Festo has launched an electrically operated pneumatic soft-start and exhaust valve that offers safer start-up and the quick, reliable venting of compressed-air supplies in the event of an emergency. The company claims that the MS6-SV provides machine builders with a compact, all-in-one solution for maximising the safety of automation systems. It is fully compliant with the EN ISO 13849-1 standard on machinery safety and is certified to categories 3 and 4.

EN ISO 13849-1 will replace the existing EN 954-1 safety standard on 30 November 2009 and forms part of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which will become mandatory at the end of 2009. The valve is intended to help designers and machine builders address some of the key issues in the directive, including meantime to (dangerous) failure, self diagnostics, common cause failure protection and external validation and certification. Festo's MS6-SV valve provides a three-/two-way function and features fast venting - it has an exhaust flow rate of 6,000 litres per minute, which is one-and-a-half times its standard maximum operational flow rate - making it suitable for implementing 'emergency-stop' functions in safety-critical system areas.

The MS6-SV soft-start and exhaust valve is described as a high-reliability, self-testing mechatronic component with built-in safety redundancy; the design incorporates parallel valves to ensure the failsafe exhaust of the system, even in the event of one of the valves developing a fault.

Fully integrated sensors continuously monitor the physical position of the valve components to confirm the valve's condition and status, while built-in self-test facilities automatically check the safety functions at system power-up and every hour thereafter. Overall system safety is further enhanced by the MS6-SV's soft-start function, whereby the gradual - and adjustable - pressurisation of the system ensures that pre-exhausted actuators move steadily to their start positions without shocks or impacts that could damage machinery or operators.

All MS6-SV valves feature an integral light-emitting-diode (LED) status display for local condition monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting. The company claims that configuration options include an easy-to-read built-in pressure gauge and an exhaust silencer, which is a safety device in its own right.

The silencer features a labyrinth design with a minimum internal bore size of 4mm to preserve airflow even in the presence of heavy contamination. The MS6-SV valves can be optimally combined with the company's complete MS range of configurable air service and preparation units to create ready-assembled and -tested, fully EN ISO 13849-1-compliant, compressed-air safety systems.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Class I Division 2?

Image
A Class I Division 2 is a location: (1) In which volatile flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible liquid-produced vapors are handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids, vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems or in case of abnormal operation of equipment, or (2) In which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible liquid-produced vapors are normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, and which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation of the ventilating equipment. Class I Division 2 Classification Class I Division 2 refers to the ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 standard. This standard was previously UL1604 until UL recommended the newer ANSI/ISA standard be used and that all hazardous location products be certified under this standa
Read more

FUSE SIZING CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIGHER EFFICIENCY MOTORS

Image
When selecting the proper fuse for short circuit protection in motor starting applications, it is important to not only ensure that the fuse will not nuisance open during motor start up times, but also that the fuse will coordinate as required with overload relays. When sizing fuses between 125% and 150% of the motor nameplate current, several advantages, including ease of coordination with an overload device, a smaller disconnect, and increased short circuit protection from a lower fuse rating, can be achieved. However, if sizing at this level prevents the motor from starting, it may then be necessary to increase the fuse ampere rating and it then becomes important to know the NEC sizing limitations. As of June 1, 2016, the US Department of Energy has mandated that newly manufactured electric motors will need to meet NEMA Premium® efficiency standards. As motor efficiencies increase, motor locked rotor currents can also be expected to increase. In addition to this, with across-the-lin
Read more

7/8 16UN Connectors that Provide 600 Volts and 15 Amps

TURCK announces new A-Size 3 and 4-pin 7/8 16UN powerfast™ connectors that provide up to 600 Volts and 15 Amps of power. These IP67 rated connectors provide a modular wiring system designed to handle high current applications for machine power distribution, while providing resistance to vibration commonly associated with conveyors, motors and material handling applications. The cordsets are available with a tray rated, exposed run PVC flexlife ® cable, with or without STOOW rating, and 14 AWG wires that allow you to replace hard wiring with a robust, quick disconnect system that saves the time and money spent installing a conduit system. The A-Size powerfast line offers male and female, straight connectors, standard and custom lengths, and pigtails or extensions. To make the system complete, fully encapsulated mating receptacles, with 1/2”-14 NPT mounting threads are available.
Read more