Festo Controlled Pneumatics: VEAB Piezoelectric Proportional Pressure Regulator for Precise Closed-Loop Control

Efficiency, process stability and energy savings are key factors in modern production, especially in applications involving sensitive goods. Achieving this requires an intelligent control concept that precisely and flexibly regulates pressure and flow while minimizing energy consumption. With Controlled Pneumatics, Festo offers the perfect solution by combining proportional technology, sensor systems, and digital control.

Unlike conventional systems with fixed settings, Controlled Pneumatics continuously adjusts values in real time. The result is improved product quality, reduced compressed air consumption, and longer service life for components.

Stable Processes: Eliminating Defects from Pressure Fluctuations

In practice, fluctuations in pressure and flow often lead to defective products. This is especially critical in industries such as automotive, medical technology, food, and packaging, where stable processes are essential to prevent rejects and costly rework. Inconsistent pressure across different production stations is a common issue and can cause cylinders to position components inaccurately or seals to be applied with incorrect force.

Proportional valves with closed-loop control can make a significant difference. They reliably maintain the pressure at the required level, regardless of load changes, fluctuating input pressure, or minor leaks. In practice, unstable processes often result in high reject rates. These can be drastically reduced with intelligent pressure and flow regulation.

Pushing the Boundaries of Pneumatics with Controlled Pneumatics

This innovative technology is opening up entirely new areas of application, especially in the precise regulation of pressure and flow. Controlled Pneumatics pushes beyond the boundaries of conventional pneumatics, resulting in solutions that are simpler, more reliable, faster, more precise, and more energy-efficient.

Traditional standard pneumatics, by contrast, are typically used for straightforward applications such as point-to-point movements. Their simplicity, robustness, and cost-effectiveness continue to make them the ideal choice in many cases. Controlled Pneumatics, however, are mechatronic pneumatic systems that incorporate advanced valve and communication technologies. These systems enable digital control combined with closed-loop regulation of sensor-based variables.

VEAB Proportional-Pressure Regulator: Piezo Technology with IO-Link Diagnostics

The new proportional-pressure regulator VEAB with IO-Link is an example of Controlled Pneumatics in action; it demonstrates just how precise and flexible modern pressure regulation can be. Based on cutting-edge piezo technology, the VEAB stands out with the following features:

• Exceptional control accuracy: Piezo-proportional valves respond extremely fast with far greater precision than conventional solenoid-based proportional valves
• Virtually silent operation: Piezo technology has no mechanical moving parts, resulting in ultra-low operating noise
• IO-Link communication: Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities and parameterization for Industry 4.0 applications
• Four customizable presets: Quick switching between different pressure levels for multi-variant production
• Intelligent switching functions: Automatic operating condition detection and control strategy optimization
• Easy plug-and-play commissioning: Simplified installation and parameter setting

The VEAB is the perfect solution for demanding applications such as web tension control, dosing processes, force-controlled polishing, and any sensitive manufacturing process requiring precise pressure regulation.

Application Industries

Controlled Pneumatics technology has proven its value across multiple industries:

• Automotive: Precision assembly, seal installation, force-controlled press-fitting
• Medical technology: Precise fluid control in cleanroom environments
• Food processing: Metered filling, packaging seal force control
• Packaging: Web tension regulation, label application force control

The Festo Controlled Pneumatics product family, including the VEAB proportional-pressure regulator and companion proportional valve series, is now available through Festo’s global sales network. Contact our technical engineers for detailed product specifications and application consultation.