Electric & Pneumatic Control Valves

Functions of directional control valves

SMC directional control valves are a key part of your application. Whether to control single or double acting actuators, to pilot another valve or to cut-off air in line, we have the best solution for you.

Our catalogue of directional control valves offers you products and components that enable your equipment and machinery to operate and function according to your requirements.

Different types of directional control valves we offer at SMC

Directional control valves are devices that control the flow of fluid (such as oil, water, steam or air) in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They can be classified according to their actuation type:

• Electric valve: the valve position is changed via electrical signal; there are direct or pilot operated solenoid valve.
• Pneumatic valve: with the pneumatic valves the valve position is changed via the pilot air.
• Mechanical valve and manual valve: in the mechanical valves the valve position is changed via an operator or an object that makes contact with the valves.

Throughout our entire valve portfolio, we offer our safety pressure release valves which are certified according to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC to be used in safety systems as defined by ISO 13849-1.

Fieldbus system options

Furthermore, SMC also provides fieldbus system options, coded communication between PLC and valve manifold. Some of the important communication protocols are:

• PROFIsafe,
• Ethernet POWERLINK,
• PROFINET,
• EtherNet/IPTM,
• EtherCAT®,
• PROFIBUS DP,
• DeviceNetTM,
• CC-Link,
• CANopen,
• Modbus/TCP
• AS-Interface.

In SMC we work on industrial communication in two ways: supporting our customers in specific solutions and offering state-of-the-art products, such as our unique Wireless Fieldbus System and our wide variety of IO-Link solutions, thereby providing your factory with smart digitalization and automation.

Directional control valves applications

Some of the directional control valves applications are:

• Painting
• Tyre building
• Packaging
• Maintenance operations
• Metal cutting
• Material transport
• Product sorting
• Battery manufacturing

How to select directional control valves?

When choosing directional control valves, you need to take into account various factors that relate to the process conditions and the application, such as:

• Function and flow rate of the valve
• Response time and operating frequency of the valve
• Operating pressure of the system
• Degree of protection required for the valve
• Voltage of the power supply

You also need to consider the customer's requirements, such as:

• Type of electrical connection preferred
• Installation extension plans
• Accessories needed for the valve

It is also important to consider environmental factors in order to maximise the service life of pneumatic components. For example, excess of humidity, oil and particles can cause failures in industrial processes.

Optimising the quality of compressed air, taking into account the recommendations of specialists, is the basis for preventive maintenance of pneumatic systems.

Easily create your tailor-made valve manifold with our valve manifold configurator and other engineering tools at your disposal.

Do you have any doubts about your valve selection? Ask our experts.