Norgren VR Series Valve Manifolds

Flexible and Modular for all Industrial Automation Applications

Norgren is part of the global engineering organization IMI plc. IMI is at the forefront of delivering the solutions we need in a changing world and is focused on creating tremendous value by solving key industry problems in attractive markets and employing the best.

Norgren has a proud history of creating innovative engineering solutions in precise motion control and fluid technology, and we collaborate with our customers across more than 50 countries in critical areas such as Factory Automation, Material Handling, Rail, Energy, Process Control, Life Science, and Commercial Vehicles.

From improving speed, productivity, reliability, and efficiency of equipment, to generating significant energy and cost savings, or lowering the total cost of ownership across many industries, Norgren’s high-quality solutions are designed to help customers pursue progress, achieve new goals, and overcome problems.

With market-leading industry expertise, we offer the capability, resources, engineering intelligence, and global support infrastructure to tackle the largest project demands.

Our world-class portfolio of fluid and motion control products includes Norgren, Buschjost, FAS, Herion, Kloehn, Maxseal, and Thompson Valves. Supplied either individually or combined into powerful customized solutions to meet customer needs.

VR Series Valve Manifolds

Flexibility and modularity have reached new levels with the Norgren VR Valve Manifold range. A simple plug-in, sub-base style design allows for valves to be easily exchanged for easy installation and maintenance. Expanding the size and functionality of your valve manifold to match the changing demands of your application is a simple “plug-and-play” experience.

Product Highlights:

• Modular – A modular system offering a wide range of configurated options
• Flexible – Available in 10mm and 15mm with up to 24 solenoids with a wide range of valve functions
• Reliable – Using proven technology for long life of over 30 million cycles
• Connected – Fast and easy connectivity via Multipole, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT and IO-Link
• Easy Installation – No restrictions when installing as connectors can be horizontal or vertical. The valve manifold can be direct mounted or mounted on a DIN rail.
• Maintenance Friendly – Simple plug-in sub base allows for easy exchange of system components and has an interruption-free valve replacement option, and integrated silencers offer a simple replacement
• Energy Saving – Low power solenoids (0.4w power consumption) with LED indicators
• Space Saving – If space is an issue, the IP40 base is available with valve slices
• Easy to Configure – Best in the class online configurator

Available in two body sizes – 10mm and 15mm, the VR10/15 series can be used across a broad range of Industrial Automation markets, from food & beverage, packaging, labeling, textiles, glass production, and metal production to paper and print.

Technical Specifications:

• Two sizes, 10 mm and 15 mm widths
• Flow: 220 to 270 l/min (VR10), 460 to 590 l/min (VR15)
• Operating pressure: Maximum pressure 101 psi (7 bar)
• Operating temperature: +23°F to 122°F (-5°C to +50°C)
• Up to 24 solenoids
• 24V DC & 12V DC Multipole, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT and IO-Link
• Dynamic soft seal spool valve, solenoid pilot operated
• LED indicator of solenoid function
• No restriction on installation orientation
• Easy to replace valves, fittings, and silencers
• Robust yet lightweight construction
• IP40 and IP65 versions available

Valve Manifold Configurator:

• Intuitive, flexible, and easy-to-use
• The flexible step-by-step process that is easy to navigate for any user regardless of experience
• Enables quick specification of the valve manifold to meet your exact requirements
• Provides price, availability, and order now options
• Unique part number assigned to your manifold
• Live visualization of your configuration and downloadable 2D and 3D CAD files
• Download your configuration in your native CAD format. We support 60+ native CAD formats including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, NX and Catia
• Easy to access and download all technical documentation and available in multiple languages
• Save your configurations for a later date and view your history anytime
• Online and telephone support available

(Courtesy of Norgren)

10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds

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 are 10 reasons why a valve manifold could be the right solution for your application.

1. Where space is at a premium

Valve manifolds provide the flexibility of various compact body sizes and widths. 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 manifold to be used in a control cabinet, then a Multipole IP40 version provides an even more compact unit than compared to a standard IP65 version. With a Multipole IP40 version, the connectors can be positioned either vertically or horizontally to best suit the application.

2. Ease of installation

Mounting a valve manifold is often an easily overlooked step in the configuration process. Valves manifolds provide wall mounting capability and come with pre-installed DIN Rail fasteners. This provides a wide range of flexible mounting options without needing to order additional components later.

3. Field maintenance and valve replacement is made easy

A simple plug-in sub-base design enables quick and easy valve replacement which can help minimize 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 manifold can be easily replaced too. On the other hand, if your application requirements change or your specified valve manifold needs to be adapted, expansion kits are offered which can be used to readily expand a valve manifold in the field.

4. Allows users to save energy and money

Why use the maximum pressure for your application if you don’t need it? On a valve manifold using up to four ISEMs (Intermediate Supply & Exhaust Modules) can be combined on a single manifold 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

Valve manifolds provide a low minimum operating pressure requirement of just 2 bar, meaning less pressure is required for the valve slices to function. With an externally piloted supply, the valve manifolds can also work with -1 bar (vacuum). Making them 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

Valve manifolds provide high working frequency allowing them 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 into improved productivity and greater throughput in a process.

7. Providing IO-Link connectivity

Most valve manifolds offer IO-Link connectivity in addition to other Industrial Ethernet communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, Multipole). IO-Link provides insight and feedback from the valve manifold 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 minimize 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 valve manifolds. If the application or machine needs changing or adapting, extension kits are available allowing users to add more valves onto the manifold as well as swap control modules to adapt to a different communication protocol.

9. Easy to use the online configurator

Using a simple and easy-to-use configurator helps create a custom valve manifold that 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 the configuration or save the configuration and return to it later in just a few clicks.

10. Dedicated technical support team

Having customer support teams with many decades of experience working on industrial application solutions to support customers with their valve manifold specifications is important. If you’re looking to use a valve manifold inside a control cabinet, working on an electro-pneumatic control system or simply need help choosing the right manifold for your application, there are technical and customer support teams on hand to help.

(Courtesy of Norgren: Part of IMI PLC)