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10 Reasons to Specify VR Valve Islands

Specifying the right valve manifold for an application can sometimes be a complex and difficult decision, especially with so many options out there and with many factors to consider. Here we examine 10 reasons why Norgren’s VR Valve Islands could be the right solution for your application.

1. Where space is at a premium

The VR Valve Island range provides the flexibility of two compact body sizes of either 10mm or 15mm valve width. Additionally, it offers a choice of 5/2, 5/3 or 2x3/2 valves in a single body. This gives users the option to either control more valves within the same footprint or configure the same number of solenoids within a reduced space, bringing value to customers who are concerned with product footprint. If IP rating is not a priority or you’re specifying a Valve Island to be used in a Control Cabinet, then the Multipole IP40 version of the VR Valve Island is an even more compact unit than the standard IP65 version. With the Multipole IP40 version, the connectors can be positioned either vertically or horizontally to best suit the application.

2. Ease of installation

Mounting a Valve Island is often an easily overlooked step in the configuration process. With the VR Valve Island range, in addition to wall mounting capability, it comes with pre-installed DIN Rail fasteners. This provides customers flexibility in mounting options without needing to order additional components later.

3. Field maintenance and valve replacement is made easy

The simple plug-in sub-base design of the Norgren VR Valve Island enables quick and easy valve replacement which can help minimise process downtime. Valve slices are removed by simply unscrewing two screws on each valve slice and new valves are then added using the same method. The silencers and push-in fittings used on the Island can be easily replaced too. On the other hand, if your application requirements change or your specified Valve Island needs to be adapted, Norgren offer expansion kits which can be used to readily expand the VR Valve Island in the field.

4. Allow users to save energy and money

Why use the maximum pressure for your application always if you don’t need it? With the VR Valve Island up to four ISEMs (Intermediate Supply & Exhaust Modules) can be combined on a single Island allowing up to four pressure zones for pilot and exhaust (by using blanking plugs in between the zones). The generation of compressed air consumes energy and costs money. By separating the valves into zones and using just the required pressure for the zone, users can save both money and energy.

5. Where operating pressure is low

The VR10/15 range has a low minimum operating pressure requirement of just 2 bar, meaning less pressure is required for the valve slices to function. With externally piloted supply, the VR range can also work with -1 bar (vacuum). This makes the VR10/15 suitable for use in a wide range of applications including operators who run at lower pressures in their factory.

6. For improved productivity and high throughput

The VR10/15 range has a high working frequency allowing it to be specified in applications requiring high switching frequency (e.g.: packaging, textile etc.). As higher switching frequency allows for more valve cycles, this translates to improved productivity and greater throughput in a process.

7. Providing IO-Link connectivity

The VR Valve Island range offers IO-Link connectivity in addition to other Industrial Ethernet communication protocols. IO-Link provides insight and feedback from the Valve Island device allowing for condition monitoring and process diagnostics. Monitoring the number of valve cycles and if any valves short circuit or fail remotely allows users to minimise downtime due to faults.

8. Readily available kits of accessories, spare valves and replacements

Spare valves, blanking plates, sub-bases, wiring and cables are readily available for the VR range. If the application or machine needs changing or adapting, extension kits are available allowing users to add more valves on to the island as well as swap control modules to adapt to a different communications protocol.

9. Easy to use online configurator

With our simple and easy to use configurator a custom Valve Island can be configured in just 5 minutes. Customize each valve slice, check price and availability and order directly from the configurator. Users can also download CAD configurations in native formats, obtain technical documentation containing details of their configuration or save the configuration and return to it later in just a few clicks.

10. Dedicated technical support team

Our customer support teams have many decades of experience working on solutions for industrial applications and supporting customers with their Valve Island specifications. If you’re looking to use a Valve Island inside a control cabinet, working on an electro-pneumatic control system or simply need help choosing the right Island for your application, our technical and customer support teams are on hand to help.

Valve Islands offer real benefits over Inline Valves, Sub-base Valves and Manifold Valves for applications with complex/multiple control needs or space constraints and can be easily configured using our Valve Island configurator to suit your application needs.

Find out more information about Norgren's Valve Islands