{"id":6060,"date":"2018-02-15T13:44:03","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T18:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assuredautomation.com\/news-and-training\/?p=6060"},"modified":"2023-02-14T15:01:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T20:01:31","slug":"diverter-valve-ink-paint-caustic-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assuredautomation.com\/news-and-training\/diverter-valve-ink-paint-caustic-media\/","title":{"rendered":"When You Need a Diverter Valve for Ink, Paint Dispensing, and Caustic Media"},"content":{"rendered":"
Diverter valves<\/a> are one type of 3-way valves. Unlike modulating and mixing 3-way valves that combine two inputs into one output, diverter valves separate one input into two outputs. Diverter valves are frequently used in control processes because they are less expensive and require less space than using multiple 2-way valves to divert flow. Although multiple 2-way valves can achieve the same goal of diverting, or mixing, the additional cost of purchase, installation, and maintenance on two 2-way valves, and the larger footprint required, more than justifies the use of a single 3-way valve. Factoring in the cost of actuation, a single actuated 3-way valve can save thousands of dollars over multiple 2-way valve configurations.<\/div>\n

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\nManufacture of paints, solvents, and other corrosive media require special valve construction material and seals. For example, paint adherence to an EPDM seal can create adhesion problems, which is why stainless steel valves with silicone free seals, such as Assured Automation’s 33D Series<\/a>, are preferable for these applications. The 33D 3-way valves’ body, ball, and stem are all made with 316 Stainless Steel, the seat with RPTFE, and the stem seal with RPTFE, and is available in sizes from \u00bc” to 2″. It is designed to perform in temperatures from -20\u00b0 to 400\u00b0 F, under a maximum pressure of 800 PSIG.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When determining which type of actuator to use – pneumatic or electric, Assured Automation’s actuator decision tree<\/a> is a helpful reference. In our experience, we find that roughly 70% of the 33D Series valves are sold with pneumatic actuators, and 30% with electric actuators<\/a>.\u00a0 Pneumatic actuators provide rapid actuation and high cycle life, and are safe when working with flammable media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When selecting a pneumatic actuator, the instrumentation engineer has the choice of a rack and pinion style or scotch yoke style actuator.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Scotch Yoke Pneumatic Actuator<\/strong><\/td>\nRack & Pinion Pneumatic Actuator<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Long life span, with lifespan of millions of cycles<\/li>\n
  • High duty life cycle<\/li>\n
  • Used for on\/off applications<\/li>\n
  • Less expensive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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