Direct Drive Valves

In the industrial world, valves have always performed the essential function of regulating the flow of gases and liquids. Solenoid valves, whether pneumatic or hydraulic, have been staples in many types of products in a variety of sectors. The automobile industry, for example, often uses pneumatic solenoids to control pistons. Often times the valve is part of a larger system where the solenoid is linked to secondary and/or main valves. Irrigation systems are one such instance where this occurs.

Within the classification of solenoid valves, there are many specific products that all have unique capabilities. Direct drive valves and direct drive on/off valves are two types which are typically used for fluid control in a variety of applications such as machine tooling, automation, automotive, and cutting. This product is different than other valves because the valve spool and the armature are coupled, which means the spool is driven from the force created by the armature. There are many advantages to this arrangement. First, there is no quiescent flow. This alone gives direct drive valves an upper hand over some of their counterparts. However, the smaller size of these devices is often a big selling point. Because they are not as large as other valves, they can fit into more places, giving them lots of versatility. The only real downside is that these products have less driving force, putting them at higher risk for contamination. However, companies often employ a fine mesh filter to cut down on the level of debris. Before selecting any valve it is crucial to assess the desired capabilities and consult with ISO standards.

Another desirable quality of these products is that they can be customized to suit your company’s unique requirements. For the direct drive on/off valves there are a number of options including 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, latching, sump-mount, cartridge-style, and pilot solenoids. Direct drives offer 2, 3, 4, and 5 way control as well as flow and pressure control. When purchasing either of these products it is important to first determine what capabilities you need in terms of flow, supply pressure, and operational temperature. Knowing your requirements in advance will always help the supplier work with you to develop a product that will exceed your expectations.