Distributor Valve

OPERATING PRESSURE

This Distributor Valve is capable of operating over a wide range of pressures. When operating on AIR, it is recommended that the valve be operated at a minimum of 80 psi because of the balanced condition that is needed between the SPOOL and the BODY of the valve. At lower pressures, any side loading on the SPOOL will cause the valve to lose its seal. On hydraulics, the valve will operate anywhere from 100 psi to 3000 psi. One drawback is that the force required to rotate the valve increases with pressure due to the behavior of the O-ring seals. Make sure that the arm holding the SPOOL is of adequate strength (see mounting instructions).

FLUID AND AIR REQUIREMENTS

If air is to be used with the valve, it should be as clean and dry as possible. A small amount of lubrication is desirable but no more than what the control valves or clamping devices in your system require. Any hydraulic oil should work well with the valve (refer to the assembly drawing to determine if the seals are compatible). Water-glycol may also be used with this valve with only moderately higher wear due to its lower lubricating properties.

VALVE CONFIGURATIONS
Passages	Ports	Hex Size
1/8"	1/8" NPT (Standard)	1-1/4
	#4 SAE (Optional)	1-1/4
1/4"	1/4" NPT (Standard)	1-3/4
	#6 SAE (Optional)	1-3/4

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

Located on the bottom of the valve BODY is a 1/8" long 2" diameter pilot and some 1/4-20 tapped holes around its perimeter. Since these vary according to the number of stations, please consult your drawings for their locations. You are required to make your own plate to adapt the VALVE to your index table. At minimum it must be of 1/2" thick steel or 3/4" thick aluminum. THE VALVE BODY MUST BE CONCENTRIC WITH THE INDEXER. In order to perform its function, the center (or SPOOL) of the valve must be held stationary. This may easily be accomplished by using the hex provided on the top of the SPOOL which allows it to be held with a standard 1/2" drive socket (hex size indicated in chart above). It is VERY IMPORTANT that the arm holding the socket is able (without side force) to withstand the torque required to turn the SPOOL when the system is up to pressure. Once the sequence valve is set remove the hose, plug the port and reset the system pressure to 500 PSI.

PLUMBING THE VALVE

Depending on size and port options, the Distributor Valve comes with 1/8" NPT , 1/4" NPT, #4 SAE, or #6 SAE tapped holes (see previous chart). All SPOOLS have two ports marked PRESSURE and TANK, while remote models have two additional ports marked CLAMP and UNCLAMP. If there is no remote controlled operation, all that is required is the plumbing of pressure and return lines to the proper ports. If one station must be remotely opened and closed, the CLAMP and UNCLAMP ports must be plumbed to your control valve. Please note that it is very important for the TANK LINE to be as free from resistance as possible. Excessive back pressure in the TANK LINE can cause the valve to lose its seal and not operate properly. Around the outside of the BODY of the valve are seceral sets of ports indicated as pairs by slash marks. The bottom row of ports must be plumbed to the clamp side of your fixtures and the tp row into the unclamp side.

SETUP AND TIMING

On the top of the RETAINER are several "timing lines". The timing line on the SPOOL must be aligned with the timing line on the RETAINER above the UNCLAMP port that goes to the operator station. Once they are properly aligned, lock the SPOOL into place. The need for any final timing adjustment may be determined by observing the operation of the fixtures.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Very little is required in the area of care and maintenance of your Distributor Valve. If the valve should malfunction or develop a leak around the RETAINER and SPOOL, the O-ring seals should be replaced. The Valve should give you several years and millions of cycles before requiring any major service. At this time it is still possible to bring all the parts back into original tolerances.

TECHINCAL SUPPORT

If you have any questions or problems, you can call us at our regular business number for technical support. If you desire to have any help in mounting or plumbing your Distributor Valve, you can contract with us to do the work for you at our regular shop rate plus travel expenses.