Bürkert has launched an 11 mm long Type 6164 cartridge valve. This solution for pneumatic applications can offer up to a 40 per cent space saving compared to traditional valves, thanks to its ability to fit directly into custom manifolds, eliminating external packaging. It’s suited for medical device manufacturers producing therapy machines.
Medical devices, especially portable ones, are becoming more compact for ease of professional and patient use. Whereas traditionally valves would sit on top of the manifold in a pneumatic medical device, the Type 6164 allows for fully sunken or half sunken integration into the manifold itself, which delivers space savings. Such placement is enabled thanks to its cylindrical design with integrated fluid interfaces. This allows OEMs to deliver new devices on a more compact footprint, while still offering the same performance.
Weight is another key concern, especially for devices such as oxygen concentrators. These devices are portable and operated by the patient, so by reducing overall weight via the Type 6164, OEMs can deliver more ergonomic designs that are an easier day to day companion. This also applies to tourniquets and deep vein thrombosis therapy machines, which are both designed to apply pressure to affect blood flow. Smaller pneumatic valves again translate to a more compact, lightweight device which is more comfortable for the patient and more ergonomic for the specialist.
Reducing noise in treatment centres is proven to boost recovery, and this is another area where the Type 6164 is improved. Its switching noise is rated at 42 dB, which ensures that patient comfort is improved during treatment. This helps to secure the tranquillity of an operating environment also.
The Type 6164 delivers a 10 per cent overall energy saving compared to a standard valve, offering a power consumption of less than 0.7 W. This lower power requirement is a benefit for portable devices that run on batteries. OEMs can maximise this advantage by downsizing batteries while still delivering equivalent performance, which again, presents another opportunity to optimise packaging.
Beyond the medical industry, it is suited to any application that requires a pneumatic pilot valve. The body of the valve itself is manufactured from PEEK, while the seal is made from FKM. Operating voltages of either 12 or 24 V DC can be specified, along with orifice sizes from 0.5 to 1.2 mm. The standard Type 6164 variant provides a pressure range from -0.8 to 9 bar.
