Small, direct, and efficient: Miniature solenoid valves in 2/2 and 3/2-way versions

The 3/2-way variant benefits not only from a compact design and the already high performance values of the 2/2-way version but also expands the possible areas of application. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

From sorting systems to oxygen concentrators to blood analyzers: in medical or pharmaceutical applications, speed and accuracy are crucial. Direct-operated solenoid valves are therefore the first choice to achieve these goals. With the SX090 series, SMC now expands its SX90 series to include a 3/2-way version of the miniature solenoid valve, offering customers a space-saving, powerful, and energy-efficient solution, especially for mobile applications.

Particularly in mobile applications, the requirements for medical and pharmaceutical devices are high: even with very limited space, they must operate accurately and with minimal self-heating.

Energy-saving circuits also improve the runtimes of energy storage systems. To control the flow of media such as air or inert gases, small yet powerful solenoid valves are used. To broaden the range of applications, SMC has therefore supplemented its solenoid valves of the SX90 series with the SX090 series, additionally offering a directly operated 3/2-way solenoid valve. Despite the expanded functionality, the automation and pneumatics specialist continues to rely on a compact design and energy-efficient technology.

Powerful in a small space

With the same dimensions in height and width (each 10 mm), the miniature solenoid valve in the 2/2-way version has a length of 38 mm and a weight of 10 g, while the 3/2-way version measures 54 mm in length and weighs 20 g. Despite its compact design, both are capable of achieving flow rates between 45 l/min (2/2-way) and 90 l/min (3/2-way) at an operating pressure range of 0.2 MPa. The Cv value of the flow coefficient is 0.07 for the former and 0.14 for the latter.

Fast response for precise applications

The SX90/090 series also impresses with its response time: within a maximum of 10 ms or 15 ms, the valves respond to changes in the electrical input signal and switch very quickly. The advantage: flow can be controlled especially rapidly and precisely. Thanks to an energy-saving circuit, the miniature solenoid valves operate very efficiently and require only a power consumption of 0.7 W (2/2-way) or 0.8 W (3/2-way) to hold the switching position. The operating pressure range from -100 kPa to 0.2 MPa provides additional application possibilities.

3/2-way version for optimized process control

Some applications require not only the supply and exhaust of air or inert gases but also the ability to switch between different media. For example, the flow of compressed air can be switched to an inert gas such as nitrogen. In position 1, the miniature solenoid valve switches from port A to port B; in position 2, from port B to port C.