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The integrated valve and actuator-control cylinder (IVAC) from Norgren Inc., Littleton, Colo., combines an air cylinder, the pneumatic valve (either 5/2 or 5/3), flow controls, cushioning, position sensors, and speed regulators into a single package. This is in sharp contrast to typical pneumatic actuators that use up to 13 different components for each actuator function.
The actuator was also designed with looks in mind. Customers have already commented that installing them has given their plants and equipment a cleaner, more modern look. And the streamlined housing is easier to clean compared to the standard array of cylinder, valves, and connectors that make up traditional setups. For food applications that see frequent wash downs with harsh detergents, a cleanline version of the IVAC puts all the switches and the valve inside the housing. The cleanline version carries an IP67 rating.
To keep installation and maintenance simple, the actuator has only one pneumatic and one electrical connection. So there is no need for valve islands, tubing, or other accessories. The lack of tubing minimizes “dead” volume and reduces air consumption by up to 50%. Reducing the amount of compressed air used also cuts down on energy costs.
The actuator is sized to fit in the same footprint as standard actuators (ISO 15552), making retrofitting easy. Maximum air pressure of the IVAC is 118 psi. Bore sizes range from 32 to 100, and the maximum force exerted by the actuator goes from 148 to 1,436“lb. Strokes go from 25 to 1,000“mm.