The control valves installed in press machines, mainly in metal stamping factories, must have a safe mechanism because they are responsible for turning the press machines on and off. The double valve with monitor recommended by Los Asia is a must-have feature for safety-conscious Americans and Europeans, and greatly enhances the safety of press machines. In addition to being safe, there are various benefits that can strengthen the competitiveness of factories in the face of intensifying global competition. Here, we introduce various features of the world-class double valve with monitor.
Why are monitored double valves safe?
How does a monitored double valve improve safety compared to a normal unmonitored double valve?
The non-monitor double valve also has higher safety performance than the single valve, ensuring safety by stopping the machine even if one of the valve discs fails. Most double-valve failures are due to valve body failure, in which the valve that opens and closes the air passage does not operate. Since it is unlikely that two valves in a double valve will stop at the same time, most of them are considered to be one-side valve failure. The double valve has a structure that prevents air from passing to the press machine even if one side of the valve body fails, preventing unforeseen circumstances.
However, the drawback of the double valve is that even if the disc on one side is broken, it will start normally when the power is re-energized. One of the valves has failed and is stuck open, so when power is applied, air will pass normally through the good disc. Of course, this situation is dangerous, and we will continue to operate with the risk of a major accident such as a double failure of the press.
If the double valve is equipped with a monitor, it is possible to detect a single-sided valve failure and keep it stopped without restarting. Safety is improved because the machine does not operate with a failure.
There is also a "dynamic monitor" that is a further evolved type of double valve with monitor. In addition to the normal monitor function, it is equipped with a function that "detects whether the operation is normal or abnormal" even during normal operation, boasting an even higher level of safety.
Improved cost performance and consideration for the environment
The advantage of the double valve with monitor is not only that it prevents unintentional restarting after a failure. The monitor immediately informs you that the double valve has failed, which helps extend the valve life.
Failure of the double valve can be detected without a monitor. However, in that case, it is necessary to identify the "air leak", and depending on the location of the double valve, it may be difficult for humans to find it. With a double valve equipped with a monitor, failures can be detected immediately and repaired as soon as possible, thus prolonging the life of the valve.
In terms of early detection of failures, the double valve with monitor can sometimes detect "one step before failure". A valve failure is a failure that causes the valve to stop operating, but in some cases, a "delay in movement" occurs first due to wear of the packing, etc., instead of stopping the valve. Since the monitor compares and monitors the opening and closing timing of the two valves, it detects and notifies such delays in operation. It can be said that it is very difficult for the human eye to detect this defect.
If the monitor cannot be reset or operates frequently, early maintenance can be performed to extend the life of the machine. For example, if dust and moisture are not sufficiently removed from the air, the inside of the valve may be damaged. In addition, electrical problems such as coil burnout, malfunctions due to excessive high temperature / low sound, etc. affect the operation of the valve body. By identifying and addressing these causes, the productivity of the factory can be improved and the running costs can be reduced.
In addition, if failures and defects can be detected and repaired early, it will lead to less industrial waste and less burden on the environment. Since it becomes difficult to repair when the wear of the parts has progressed, the double valve with monitor is excellent in terms of environmental consideration.
A double valve with a monitor that has various features, including safety, that can enhance the competitiveness of the factory. In the US, double valves are required to have a monitor, and in Europe, a dynamic monitor is mandatory. Ross Asia offers a wide range of these double valves with world-class safety performance. It is also possible to install a monitor on an existing double valve, so please feel free to contact us.