Pneumatically operated valves, Namur valves, ATEX valves and ISO valves.
Over 30,000 high-quality products for pneumatic control and drive technology and drilling
Made in Germany
Made in Germany: AIRTEC offers you a wide selection in the areas of pneumatic control and drive technology and drilling as well as innovative customised solutions, which we develop for you and with you and bring to series production readiness. You can rely on our certified quality and technical expertise.
Pneumatically actuated valves switch and distribute compressed air using a steering signal from the pneumatic system itself, eliminating the need for a solenoid. This makes them the premier choice for applications where electrical signals are either unavailable or undesirable. The AIRTEC portfolio features pneumatically actuated directional control valves in 3/2-, 5/2-, and 5/3-way configurations. These are available as monostable (with mechanical spring or air spring return), bistable, or with a defined center position. Offered in NAMUR and ISO designs, they come in various port sizes to suit diverse environmental conditions—ranging from compact valves for tight installation spaces to robust, specialized designs for aggressive process environments.
Overview of Pneumatically Actuated Valve Types
3/2-Way Valves
Three ports, two switching positions. Available as normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) in the rest position. When actuated, the outlet port is either pressurized (NC) or exhausted to the atmosphere (NO).
Typical applications: Single-acting cylinders, grippers, and clamps.
5/2-Way Valves
Five ports, two switching positions. These valves control double-acting actuators by alternately pressurizing either side of the piston. Available in monostable and bistable configurations, featuring either air spring or mechanical spring return.
Standard for: Linear drives, rotary actuators, and handling tasks.
5/3-Way Valves
Featuring the same port geometry as the 5/2-way valve, but with a defined mid-position (center position). AIRTEC offers all three common center-position variants: closed center, exhausted center, and pressurized center, depending on your specific requirements for signal loss or mid-stroke stopping.
Standardized Valves: NAMUR and ISO 5599-1
NAMUR valves comply with the NAMUR standard and are typically used to control rotary actuators, such as butterfly valves and control valves in the process industry. The standardized interface allows for direct mounting onto the actuator. The PN-05 series covers this range and includes ATEX certification.
ISO valves according to ISO 5599-1 feature a manufacturer-independent interface available in three standardized sizes (ISO 1–3) with nominal sizes from 9 to 14 mm and flow rates exceeding 4,000 Nl/min. They are mounted on standardized sub-bases, which are also available as manifold blocks—ideal for control blocks and modular systems.
Applications for Pneumatically Actuated Valves
- Packaging and Conveying Technology: Cycle control of gripping, sliding, and clamping units.
- Mechanical Engineering: Flexible, tailored solutions for custom machinery and systems.
- Process and Chemical Industries: NAMUR valves for rotary actuators, with ATEX versions for Zone 1/21.
- Life Sciences / Medical Technology: Low-maintenance valves for hygienically sensitive processes.
- Building Automation / Water Treatment: Control of shut-off and regulating valves.
FAQs
Here are the frequently asked questions.
This depends on the actuation type. Valves with mechanical spring return typically require a pilot pressure of 2 to 3 bar to overcome the spring force. Bistable valves only require this pressure briefly for the switching operation itself, after which they maintain their position without a continuous signal. For air spring return models, the pilot pressure depends on the operating pressure; exact limits can be found in the performance diagrams of the respective datasheet.
Both are monostable designs that return the valve to its home position when the pilot signal is removed. A mechanical spring resets the valve independently of the system pressure, even during a complete loss of air supply. An air spring utilizes the system pressure as the reset medium and will fail if system pressure drops. Therefore, only mechanical spring returns are suitable for safety functions requiring a defined fail-safe position.
AIRTEC offers two explosion protection concepts. Fully certified ATEX versions compliant with Directive 2014/34/EU (Equipment Category 2, suitable for Zone 1/21 and above) are available for selected product lines. Additionally, we offer versions without an inherent potential ignition source. While these do not carry an official ATEX mark, they have been verified via ignition hazard assessment for safe use in Zones 1, 2, 21, and 22 across all explosion groups. The right choice depends on the plant operator's zone classification. Please contact us directly with your specific requirements.
All AIRTEC valves are rated for compressed air according to ISO 8573-1:2010, Class 7:2:4 (filtered, oil-free, and dried). Please note that the pressure dew point must be at least 10 °C below the lowest ambient temperature encountered. Internal condensation leads to corrosion and seal damage, and can cause the valve to freeze at sub-zero temperatures. For applications involving unavoidable oil content or aggressive media, specialized product series featuring FKM (Viton) seals are available.
Contact us
Do you have a special requirement or an idea?
Let's find a solution together!
We look forward to your enquiry.
Phone: +49 6173 95620
E-Mail: info@airtec.de
