News

News


  April
2, 2020

  Announcement of Release of Pilot-operated 3/5-port Valves
having Intrinsically Safe Explosion-proof Compliant with International Explosion-proof Standards


CKD Corporation (headquartered in Komaki, Aichi, and led by Kazunori Kajimoto,President) will release pilot-operated 3/5-port valves that are intrinsically safe explosion-proof on April 3, 2020. These valves are compliant with the international explosion-proof standards.

1. Background to Development
To meet the needs for use in narrow explosion-proof areas in Japan and overseas, CKD developed globally deployable pilot-operated 3/5-port valves (including the industry’s smallest class valve with a width of 10 mm) which are intrinsically safe explosion-proof, and compliant with international explosion-proof standards.

2. Major Applications
(1) Air-operated valve operation for chromatography and liquid conditioning equipment for pharmaceutical use
(2) Fluid control valve operation in chemical plants

(3) Fluid control valve operation in coating equipment for rechargeable battery materials


3. Features
(1) Compliant with international explosion-proof standards (IECEx: IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres)
The product acquired the international explosion-proof certificate (IECEx), in addition to the Japanese explosion-proof certification, ATEX Directive (Europe), and GB Standards (China). This product can be used in hydrogen, acetylene, and city gas atmospheres in addition to Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas.

(2) Extensive lineup including the smallest class valves in the industry
A lineup of product series in four sizes, including the industry’s smallest class valve as an explosion-proof solenoid valve with a width of 10 mm, is available to support various flow ranges. Products integrating two 3-port valves are also available for air-operated valve operation.

(3) Space-saving and lightweight
A reduction of 84% in footprint and 82% in weight has been achieved compared to CKD’s conventional products. The product is ideal for use in narrow spaces because it supports a manifold in addition to single unit use. As the product can be installed near the actuator in an explosion-proof atmosphere, it contributes to the reduction of air piping, a decrease in construction person-hours, and improvement in the design flexibility of the building ducts.

(4) High reliability
With the optimization of the sealing function and the special surface treatment of the slide packing, the durability is over 50 million times, and the environmental performance is IP67 with a dust- and water-proof protective structure, preventing temporary stoppage of equipment and contributing to stable operations.

4. Major Specification
(1)Explosion-proof standards    :International explosion-proof standard (IECEx)
                                               Ex ib IIC T4 Gb
                        Japanese explosion-proof certificate (Japan)
                                               Ex ib IIC T4 Gb
                          ATEX Directive (Europe) II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb
                        GB Standards (China)       Ex ib IIC T4 Gb


(2)Applicable cylinder bore size:Φ20 to Φ160

(3)Working pressure range     :0.2 to 0.7 MPa

(4)Lineup           :10 mm (Size 1), 15 mm (Size 2),
                        18 mm (Size 3), 23.5 mm (Size 4)

(5)Rated voltage          :12 VDC

(6)Degree of protection           :IP67

(7)Power consumption          :0.6 W

5. Standard Prices (tax excluded)
(1)Single unit                  :JPY 13,850–27,000
(2)Manifold                   :JPY 30,000–470,000

6. Sales plan
JPY 100 million for fiscal 2022

7. Release Date      
April 3, 2020