Why is a Full bore vacuum valve so important?

The use of vacuum valves in industrial vacuum systems is essential for many applications, including high-speed pick-and-place systems, vacuum forming, and vacuum holding. Selecting the correct valve is critical to achieving a reliable, efficient, and responsive system.

2-way and 3-way vacuum solenoid valves are commonly used to control vacuum. A 2-way valve is typically used to isolate and maintain vacuum within an application, while a 3-way valve switches the vacuum off and vents the system to atmosphere, allowing products to be released quickly and efficiently.

Many valves currently used in vacuum systems are originally designed as pneumatic valves and then adapted for vacuum applications. However, in most cases these valves do not provide a true full-bore flow path. For example, a 1-inch ported pneumatic solenoid valve may have an internal restriction that reduces the effective flow area by as much as 60% when the valve is actuated.

These restrictions significantly reduce the vacuum flow through the valve, resulting in slower evacuation times. They also restrict the return flow of atmospheric air during release, increasing product release times and reducing overall production efficiency. In addition, once the valve switches, the time required for the system to recover back to the required operating vacuum is also extended.

VUOTOTECNICA vacuum valves are specifically engineered for vacuum applications and feature a true full-bore design. This allows maximum airflow with minimal restriction, delivering faster evacuation, quicker release, and improved system performance.

If your application is experiencing any of the following:

• Your electric or pneumatic vacuum pump runs continuously but is slow to achieve the required vacuum level.
• Slow product release is affecting production cycle times.
• There is a noticeable pressure difference between the vacuum pump and the application.

The cause may not be the pump—it could simply be an incorrectly selected vacuum valve. Choosing a purpose-designed full-bore vacuum valve can significantly improve system performance, reduce cycle times, and increase productivity.

For the very best advice and vacuum solutions please call us: 01908 227892 or visit www.vuototecnica.co.uk