Solenoid Valve Selection Guide for Home Appliance Manufacturing: Technical Parameters and Solutions

Solenoid Valve Selection Guide for Home Appliance Manufacturing: Technical Parameters and Solutions

In the automated production lines of home appliance manufacturing, solenoid valves are the core components that enable precise pneumatic control. Whether it's a refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, or another household appliance, assembly, testing, and packaging processes all rely on the efficient collaboration of pneumatic components. Unlike the semiconductor industry, home appliance manufacturing places more emphasis on cost-effectiveness, high reliability, versatility, and ease of maintenance for solenoid valves.

 

Core Requirements for Solenoid Valves in Home Appliance Manufacturing

 

  1. High Cost-Effectiveness: Home appliance production involves high-volume manufacturing, where cost control is paramount. Therefore, solenoid valves need to offer stable performance at a reasonable price.

  2. High Reliability and Durability: Production lines must run stably for long periods, so the failure rate of solenoid valves must be extremely low to minimize downtime for maintenance.

  3. Versatility and Diversity: Different stations may require solenoid valves with different port sizes or control methods. The product series needs to have good compatibility and a wide range of options.

  4. Easy Installation and Maintenance: Simplified installation processes and easy-to-replace components are crucial for improving production line efficiency.

 

Solenoid Valve Solutions for Home Appliance Manufacturing

 

Brands like Airtac, widely used in general automation, have their 4V series solenoid valves extensively adopted in the home appliance manufacturing industry due to their excellent cost-effectiveness and reliability.

 

1. Compact Solenoid Valve Series (e.g., Airtac 4V110/210/310 Series)

 

This series represents the most common and classic solution in home appliance manufacturing. These valves are compact and stable in performance, meeting the needs of most pneumatic control applications.

Technical Parameters and Features:

  • Models: 4V110-06 (1/8" port), 4V210-08 (1/4" port), 4V310-10 (3/8" port)

  • Valve Type: 5-port 2-position, 5-port 3-position (closed center, exhaust center)

  • Port Size: 1/8", 1/4", 3/8"

  • Operating Pressure: 0.15~0.8 MPa

  • Maximum Actuation Frequency: 5 cycles/sec

  • Power Consumption: AC: 4.5VA, DC: 3.0W

  • Features: High cost-effectiveness, wide range of flow rates, can be installed individually or as part of a valve manifold. They offer flexible control for pneumatic grippers, positioning cylinders, and pneumatic pushers on home appliance assembly lines.

 

2. Miniaturized Solenoid Valve Series (e.g., Airtac 4V110-M5 Series)

 

For production lines of small, precision home appliances or stations that require control of small cylinders, compact valves with small port sizes are the best choice.

Technical Parameters and Features:

  • Model: 4V110-M5

  • Valve Type: 5-port 2-position

  • Port Size: M5

  • Operating Pressure: 0.15~0.8 MPa

  • Features: Compact size, suitable for space-constrained stations. Often used for fine-tuned operations like screw fastening on appliance casings or gripping small components.

 

3. Valve Manifold (Integrated) Solutions (e.g., Airtac 4V100/200/300 Series Manifolds)

 

When multiple cylinders on a single production line need to be centrally controlled, using a valve manifold is the most efficient and space-saving solution. It integrates several solenoid valves onto a single base with a unified electrical connection, which greatly simplifies wiring and installation.

Technical Parameters and Features:

  • Models: 4V100 series, 4V200 series, 4V300 series multi-station manifolds

  • Control Method: Options for shared wiring or individual wiring

  • Features: Simplifies wiring and saves installation space. A single air inlet and one electrical connection can control multiple cylinders. This significantly improves installation efficiency and makes future maintenance more convenient. Commonly used for complex home appliance testing platforms or large assembly stations.

 

Selection and Application Recommendations

 

  1. Choose Port Size Based on Flow Requirements: Select the appropriate port size based on the cylinder dimensions and actuation frequency. Generally, large cylinders require a higher flow rate, so a 1/4" or 3/8" port valve may be needed. For small cylinders, M5 or 1/8" ports are sufficient.

  2. Consider Control Mode: For single-acting cylinders, a 3-way solenoid valve can be used. For double-acting cylinders, a 5-port 2-position valve is the most common choice. If you need to stop the cylinder at any position, a 5-port 3-position valve with a closed center or exhaust center is recommended.

  3. Voltage and Electrical Interface: Home appliance production lines typically use DC24V or AC220V for control voltage. Choose a solenoid valve that matches your control system.

  4. Maintenance and Spare Parts: Select a brand with a large market presence and a comprehensive supplier service network to ensure timely availability of spare parts, minimizing downtime.

 

Conclusion

 

In the home appliance manufacturing sector, the selection of solenoid valves should be based on a comprehensive consideration of cost, reliability, versatility, and ease of installation and maintenance. General-purpose solenoid valves like the Airtac 4V series, with their mature technology, reliable performance, and excellent cost-effectiveness, have become the preferred solution for home appliance automation production lines, providing a solid guarantee for efficient and stable production.

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