Hoerbiger-Origa has enhanced its intelligent proportional pressure control valve, Airfit Tecno, with a redesign that improves its performance and ensures its reliability in the most arduous application zones. When the Airfit Tecno range was first introduced, its combination of piezoelectric technology and precision miniature component engineering completely redefined user expectations for speed and precision of air pressure control. Smaller than a computer’s mouse, Tecno can handle a flow rate of up to 380 litres/min, providing pilot, main pressure regulator valve and electronic controls in a single package. At its heart, instead of conventional solenoid technology, is a piezo chip which functions as a continuously operating 3/2 way pilot control valve. By applying a variable signal of less than 0.25W to a cantilevered piezo element between inlet and outlet, the control airflow may be varied. The output pressure control signal is then amplified via a diaphragm mechanism to control the main pressure regulating valve. As of this month, Tecno is supplied with an extruded and anodised aluminium body rather than the original cast construction. This provides increased rigidity and robustness, eliminates the need for surface coatings and is aesthetically more attractive.
Control air consumption has been reduced by 40% to less than 0.6 Nl/min, which further enhances the quiet operation of the Tecno unit, a major advantage over solenoid-operated valves that are particularly noisy under constant operation. A reaction time of less than 7ms provides an almost instantaneous response and enables the output control to be cycled at speeds in excess of 40Hz.
