Save 40 Percent Compressed Air On The Return Stroke

If users combine the pressure control valve ASR and the flow control valve ASQ on the cylinder of their electric drives, they can reduce their own air consumption by 40%. The response time on the return stroke can also be shortened considerably. In addition, the control valve series ASR and ASQ in vertical applications help to harmonize the lifting movement and prevent jerky start-up. In press applications, they can ensure a quick supply of compressed air at the end of the stroke. The valve body and plug connection of the new control valves can be swiveled 360 °, so that quick and easy installation is guaranteed.

Saving energy in the compressed air system

The range of pressure regulating and flow regulating valves ASR / ASQ comprises 5 models each. SMC offers these for connection sizes R1 / 4, R3 / 8, R1 / 2 and for hose diameters from 6 to 12 mm. Customers can choose between valves with fixed or variable set pressure. While the optional variant is fixed at a pressure of 0.2 MPa, the pressure in the variable standard models can be adjusted between 0.1 and 0.3 MPa depending on the application. The setting is made manually using a rotary knob with a three-part scale.

Adhesive technology in criticism

Bonding: insufficient

Pressure regulating valve and flow regulating valve are combined on cylinders. The ASQ flow control valve is on the working stroke side and the ASR pressure control valve is on the return stroke side. The construction of the two valve series differs only slightly: The pressure control valves of the ASR series consist of a regulator with a check valve and a throttle check valve. The ASQ series flow control valves include a quick supply valve, a bleed valve and a one-way flow control valve. The screw thread is coated with fluoropolymer. The valve body and plug connection can each be swiveled through 360 °.

The saving effect increases with the size of the cylinders

The use of the ASR / ASQ control valves makes economic sense for all cylinders that have a diameter of at least 50 mm and a stroke of at least 200 mm at an inlet pressure of at least 6 bar. The prerequisite is that the required cylinder operating pressure in the working stroke and return stroke differ. The saving effect for users increases with the pressure difference between working stroke and return stroke as well as the size of the cylinder and the required air volumes.

Multiple uses

“The importance of the energy efficiency of machines and systems will continue to increase due to the political framework and rising energy prices. Many current studies confirm this,”explains Harald Kühne, SMC Sales Engineering. “With the compressed air saving valves from SMC, machine manufacturers can now make their product more energy-efficient. And that without having to make fundamental design changes."

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