Valve technology

Valves are used to control vacuum and compressed air. So that you have both well under control, but at the same time remain economical and flexible in your process, we have designed a wide range of valves.

The range includes valves of various types, technologies, and sizes – from solenoid valves and pneumatic valves for vacuums, to solenoid valves for compressed air, to basic valves such as flow control valves, touch valves, non-return valves, throttle valves and manual valves. Often referred to as electromagnetic valves for vacuums, solenoid valves are available in direct- and pre-controlled models, with many different coil voltages, and are especially suitable for fast cycle times. If your focus is on the shortest switching times and your workpiece needs to be held on the vacuum generator even when power is interrupted, a pneumatic valve is the right choice for your process. Solenoid valves for compressed air are available in 3/2- and 5/2-way models. The most common application for 3/2-way solenoid valves is the compressed air control of vacuum generators, such as ejectors. They are also ideally suited for all vacuum gripper systems with integrated ejectors. With directly controlled 5/2-way solenoid valves, you are able to achieve very short transfer times. If there are suction tasks in your automation process that tend to leak due to unoccupied suction openings, the use of flow control valves is the right choice. And the best part: our flow control valves are also available in a self-cleaning model for use in particularly dirty environments and in harsh conditions. Quite different are our touch valves, which always comes through when you need particularly high performance when workpieces with different shapes must be picked up. Throttle valves limit the volume flow or the suction power without changing the vacuum level. You can thus reduce vacuum cup leakage. With FIPA manual valves, the vacuum or compressed air supply can be switched on or off manually. A hand is enough. Non-return valves allow for volume flow in only one direction and maintain the vacuum in case of vacuum generation failure. Mounted between lubricated vacuum pumps and vacuum accumulators, FIPA non-return valves prevent the oil from returning to the vacuum system for very high flow rates in the event of a pressure loss.

Solenoid valves

When it comes to reliable valves, FIPA is the right partner for you. Because you can choose from a variety of different valves for the control of vacuum circuits. In our range of products we have 2/2-way and 3/2-way electromagnetic valves for vacuum. Often referred to as solenoid or seat valves, they are available in direct- and pre-controlled models and with different coil voltages. With a pre-controlled internal vacuum and supported by compressed air, the 3/2-way solenoid valve can achieve very fast cycle times. If your process requires shortest cycle times and the combination of features, such as suction, blow-off and ventilation, then a pneumatic valve is the right choice for your application. Our pneumatic valves are available in various models. Our electromagnetic valves for optimum control of compressed air in automation systems impress with their simultaneously robust and lightweight housing. Also known as solenoid or seat valves for compressed air, they are available as 3/2-way and 5/2-way models. The most common application for 3/2-way solenoid valves is the compressed air control of vacuum generators, such as ejectors. With the directly controlled 5/2-way solenoid valves, you are able to achieve very short depositing times. 

Flow control valves

FIPA control valves with flow pins limit the volumetric flow and maintain the vacuum of the automation system by closing idle suction openings and reducing leakage loss. Control valves prevent you from having to adjust and retrace the path of the vacuum cup when gripping workpieces of different shapes by automatically shutting off idle vacuum cups. The vacuum system operates with very little leakage loss as a result. FIPA control valves for handling air-permeable and porous workpieces (models 63.036 - 63.038 and 63.055) prevent accidental detachment due to residual leakage. These self-cleaning control valves (models 63.013 and 63.015) are designed for use in dusty environments. Heavy-duty control valve models ensure stable operation even in rough environmental conditions. Self-cleaning takes place during the blow-off process. FIPA seat and ball seat valves with flow pins and filters can be used for applications with short cycle times, low dust and dirt levels and low leakage. With the exception of model 63.003, suction power is set in the factory. In the case of 63.003, the suction power can be adjusted manually using a screw. FIPA control valves without leakage loss are the right choice for handling non-porous workpieces. These control valves require the suction cup to be attached before the vacuum can be switched on. 

Touch valves

FIPA touch valves are equipped with a spring-loaded plunger that opens the vacuum supply line as soon as the vacuum cup is placed on the workpiece. The installation of touch valves in compatible vacuum cups allows idle suction openings to remain closed when processing workpieces with varying geometries, thus maintaining the vacuum level in the automation system. Thanks to spring-loaded touch impacts, FIPA touch valves work reliably mounted in any position. 

Non-return valves

Non-return valves only allow the volumetric flow to move in one direction and they maintain the vacuum even if the vacuum generator fails. Thanks to axial connections on both sides, FIPA inline check valves are easy to install in vacuum systems – including as a retrofit solution for existing automation systems. FIPA inline check valves create efficient energy-saving systems when working with non-porous workpieces. Mounted between vacuum pumps lubricated with circulating oil and vacuum accumulators, FIPA control valves prevent the return of oil to the vacuum system if pressure is lost, thus ensuring very high throughput rates. FIPA check valves with blow-off option facilitate the fast depositing of workpieces in handling systems with ejectors as vacuum generators. The check valve may also be used as a safety valve that maintains the vacuum in the system in case of damage to the hoses, malfunctions, or emergency shutdown of the vacuum generator.

Throttle valves

Butterfly valves are basic vacuum system valves that limit volumetric flow and suction power without changing the vacuum level. The result is decreased leakage loss when vacuum cups are idle. This ensures sufficient vacuum for vacuum cups occupied with workpieces. This prevents the accidental depositing and dropping workpieces. A knurled screw is used to manually adjust the limit. A horizontal rotating air connection makes it easy to adjust the screw-in butterfly valves to the given conditions. FIPA inline butterfly valves can be installed directly in the hoses. FIPA inline throttle check valves only allow the volumetric flow to move in one direction while simultaneously limiting it. Throttle check valves can adjust the speed of lifting cylinders, for example. 

Manual valves

FIPA manual valves and manual shut-off valves are used to manually switch the vacuum or compressed air supply on and off. FIPA offers a selection of 2/2 and 3/2 way manual shut-off valves and inline hand valves with dual-side hose connection and manual shut-off valves with hose connection on one side and threaded connector on the other. 3/2 way manual shut-off valves serve to switch on/off and vent/discharge individual vacuum cups. Models 33.084-33.090 are equipped as 3-way ball valves with a valve with L-hole.