Festo debuts directional control valves for manual or mechanical actuation

Festo’s new VMEF/VHEF directional control valves can be controlled by a finger, hand or workpiece making contact with a trigger mechanism.

These valves are based on touch actuation with minimal force – there is no energy to convert, no long cables or additional response time.

They perform functions that directly result in a follow-up action, like clamping or closing safety doors (if manually actuated) or acting as a signal generator (if mechanically actuated). The actuated stem switches the valve and triggers that next step in the process.

For manual actuation, the VHEF offers a choice of “triggers” – a finger, handle or toggle lever or a push button. VMEF offers a stem, roller-lever or one-way roller-level actuation.

These ergonomic manual/mechanical valve series have a robust metal housing and are capable of withstanding sudden, significant force to allow for occasional rough treatment. They can be installed without backlash in just a few simple steps.

All configurations are available as 3/2 way and 5/2 way valves with G1/8 and G1/4 connections as well as NPT variants. More variants like 5/3 way valves are available, depending on model selected.