Festo introduces VAEM valve controller for multi-head liquid dispensing
April 9, 2020
By CCE
A 'hit and hold' strategy aims to reduce energy consumption.
Festo Canada’s new compact VAEM solenoid valve controller for multi-head liquid micro-dispensing in pharmaceutical manufacturing and laboratory applications provides individualized control and calibration for up to eight valves in applications that require high speeds and a low co-efficient of variation (CV).
The VAEM measures 92 x 100 x 28 mm. It is designed to open a valve in less than two milliseconds, while lab benchmark testing shows a reduction of CV from 3% to less than 0.5%. As users can quickly and easily calibrate the flow through individual channels, they improve precision across multi-head systems.
Further, the VAEM employs a ‘hit and hold’ strategy to reduce energy consumption. First, a short burst of high current ‘hits’ the open position, then the valve controller switches to a minimum current to ‘hold’ the open position for a specified period. By using current rather than voltage to control valves, it diminishes heat buildup and aids in maintaining specified flow.
