Mechanical Valves

Mechanical valves in pneumatic systems are integral to actuation control, directional control, feedback, and more. Hand valves, foot valves, and button valves allow a human user to control actuation and/or its direction. These are highly reliable devices that do not require electrification. British Pneumatics stocks and supplies a wide range of mechanical valves for pneumatic use. Read more.

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More About Mechanical Valves

Mechanical valves are pneumatic valves that are mechanically operated, rather than via a solenoid. Mechanical valves are much a lower start up cost and are also less complicateted to setup. This is because there is no requirement for DC/AC supply lines, PLC controllers, and additional programming. In most cases, other than for highly automated tasks where impeccible timing, synchronisation, and scheduling is needed, a mechanically operated pneumatic valve is preferred. Here are a few basic types of mechanical valves:
Hand Valves
Mechanical valves that are operated by hand can be push button valves, lever valves, and rotary levers. In the case of a push button valve, there is usually a poppet that is displaced. The force required to displace a poppet is P x a newtons. Lever valves are not ordinarily construced with a spool, but a poppet. Rotary lever valves are constructed with a rotary spool, whereby manual hand operation physically shifts the spool within the valve body via a lever.
Foot and Pedal Valves
Foot valves are especially useful in manufacturing facilities where a simple foot press starts and stops actuation. They allow a human user to retain free use of their hands.
Roller Lever Valves
Roller Lever Valves are a type of mechanical valve that allows the sensing of moving parts through mechanical means. For example, an actuator might pass through the roller element of these valves, and when it does, it will change the paths in which compressed air can flow within the valve. Most often, it is used as a stop limit switch for when the stroke of the cylinder encounters the roller element.
Check Valves
These valves often have the simplest of construction and design. Their costs are often neglibible but provide immense benefits to pneumatic systems by way of preventing problems. The primary task of check valves is to prevent backflow of pressurised air.