Whats A Press Safety Valve?
Many presses operate by releasing a brake and using a clutch to engage a flywheel. Generally this is done by applying air to override a spring. A valve is used to apply the air in order to stroke the press. This valve is the critical link in the control of the press. Regardless of what other mechanical, electrical or electronic precautions are on the press, if this valve passes air, the press will stroke. For this reason, a special valve is used. A press safety valve should have 2 valve elements which are operated simultaneously (built-in redundancy). The air flow path should be in series to the press and in parallel for the exhausting air. This means that both valve elements should operate to apply air – but either valve element can exhaust air. (For an explanation of safety valve flowpaths, click here – opens new window – you may have to “allow blocked content” by clicking at the top of the page.) In addition, if both elements don’t operate simultaneously, this indicates a problem, a
