How to choose a piezoelectric valve? 9 key points covered comprehensively.
Release time:
2025-02-25 09:00
Source:
Shenzhen Laike Technology Co., Ltd.
### How to Choose a Piezoelectric Valve? 9 Key Points Covered
In the fields of industrial automation, fluid control, and precision instruments, piezoelectric valves have become indispensable key components due to their high precision, fast response, and low energy consumption. However, faced with a dazzling array of piezoelectric valve products on the market, how to select the one that best meets your application needs has become a challenge for many engineers and procurement personnel. This article will help you systematically understand and choose piezoelectric valves based on nine key points.
#### 1. Clarify Application Scenarios and Requirements
First, clarifying the specific scenarios and requirements for the application of the piezoelectric valve is fundamental. This includes understanding the type of fluid to be controlled (gas, liquid), working pressure range, flow requirements, working temperature, and whether special features such as explosion-proof and corrosion resistance are needed. Different application scenarios have distinctly different requirements for the materials, structure, and performance of piezoelectric valves.
#### 2. Choose the Right Piezoelectric Drive Technology
The core of the piezoelectric valve lies in its piezoelectric driving element, which commonly includes piezo stacks, piezo chips, and piezo films. Piezo stacks typically provide greater driving force and stroke, suitable for high-pressure and large-flow applications; while piezo chips and films, due to their fast response and small size, are more suitable for micro-flow control and fast switching applications. Choosing the appropriate driving technology based on actual needs is crucial.
#### 3. Consider Valve Type and Structure
Piezoelectric valves can be classified into various types based on their structure, including normally open, normally closed, two-way, and three-way valves. Normally open valves remain open when power is off, suitable for scenarios requiring rapid pressure or fluid release; normally closed valves are the opposite, suitable for situations requiring safe isolation. Two-way valves are simple to control and suitable for unidirectional fluid control; three-way valves can achieve more complex fluid switching logic. Correctly selecting the valve type can effectively enhance system efficiency and safety.
#### 4. Evaluate Response Time
Response time refers to the time required from receiving the control signal to the valve being fully opened or closed. For systems requiring high-precision time control, such as inkjet printing and high-speed liquid dispensing, a fast-responding piezoelectric valve is crucial. When selecting, carefully review the response time parameters in the product description and evaluate them based on actual needs.
#### 5. Durability and Lifespan
The durability and lifespan of piezoelectric valves directly relate to the stability of the system and maintenance costs. This depends on various factors such as the choice of valve materials, manufacturing processes, and sealing designs. Inquiring suppliers about the valve's cycle count, wear resistance test data, and whether there is long-term warranty service are effective means to assess durability.
#### 6. Consider Electromagnetic Compatibility
In some applications with complex electromagnetic environments, the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of piezoelectric valves becomes an issue that cannot be ignored. Ensuring that the selected piezoelectric valve meets relevant EMC standards, can withstand external electromagnetic interference, and does not generate interference signals is crucial for ensuring stable system operation.
#### 7. Integration and Control Interfaces
With the increase in automation levels, the integration and compatibility of control interfaces of piezoelectric valves have become increasingly important. Choosing piezoelectric valves that support mainstream communication protocols (such as RS-485, CAN bus, Ethernet/IP, etc.) can facilitate integration with control systems like PLCs and DCS, simplifying system design and debugging processes.
#### 8. Cost-Benefit Analysis
When selecting piezoelectric valves, cost is naturally an important factor. In addition to direct purchase costs, installation costs, operating energy consumption, maintenance expenses, and indirect costs such as losses due to downtime should also be considered. Conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis helps make a more economically reasonable choice.
#### 9. Supplier Service and After-sale Support
Finally, a reliable supplier and a good after-sale service system are also factors that cannot be ignored when selecting piezoelectric valves. Choosing suppliers with rich industry experience, capable of providing technical support, quickly responding to customer needs, and having a complete after-sale service network will provide solid assurance for your procurement decisions.
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How can daily maintenance help extend the service life of a valve body?
As a precision component that operates at high frequency, the precision dispensing valve requires scientific daily maintenance to extend its service life and maintain dispensing accuracy. Shenzhen Laike Technology has compiled the following key maintenance points for you: Daily cleaning is crucial and should not be overlooked. After finishing work, promptly remove any residual adhesive from the exterior of the valve body, especially around the nozzle and plunger area. Once cured, adhesive can cause blockages or wear, affecting subsequent use. It is recommended to gently wipe with a suitable cleaning solvent, taking care not to damage the seals. Regularly inspect sealing components—seals and other parts will naturally degrade over time during prolonged operation. We recommend checking their condition periodically based on usage frequency. If you notice signs of hardening or wear, replace these components promptly to prevent adhesive from seeping into the valve body and causing more serious damage.
The stringing issue during the dispensing process is often closely related to fluid properties, equipment parameters, and process settings. Drawing on years of industry experience, SZLKTE has compiled and optimized key points for you: Fluid temperature control is crucial. Proper heating can reduce the viscosity of the adhesive, improve its flowability, and minimize stringing and trailing. SZLKTE’s dispensing valves can be equipped with precision temperature-control modules to ensure that the fluid remains in a consistently stable working state. The back-suction parameters must be finely adjusted. The negative-pressure back-suction applied at the moment the glue dispensing stops can effectively cut off the adhesive flow, preventing dripping and stringing. We recommend gradually adjusting the amount and speed of back-suction according to the adhesive’s viscosity until you find the ideal balance.
SZLKTE takes a multi-dimensional approach to ensure zero errors and long service life for its products even under high-speed, continuous operation. The piezoelectric valve series employs piezoceramic actuation technology; its non-contact drive design eliminates mechanical wear common in traditional solenoid valves, enabling a service life of over one billion cycles. At the same time, these valves deliver millisecond-level response times, completely eliminating trailing and stringing issues. The needle valve KC-9870, on the other hand, features a specially engineered, wear-resistant material for its needle component, offering exceptional resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Even in industrial environments with prolonged operation, this valve maintains outstanding stability. Moreover, its components can be quickly disassembled and maintained, significantly reducing production downtime.
Contact Dispensing vs. Non-Contact Jetting Valves: How Should You Choose for Micron-Level Processes?
Contact dispensing involves the needle making physical contact with the substrate surface to apply the fluid. Its main advantage lies in its strong adaptability to high-viscosity fluids and relatively controllable dispensing process. However, since it requires coordinated movement along the Z-axis, the dispensing speed is limited. Additionally, there is a risk of the needle colliding with and damaging the workpiece or deforming the needle itself. Therefore, careful evaluation is necessary when applying this method in miniaturized packaging scenarios. In contrast, non-contact jetting valves use a driving mechanism to rapidly spray adhesive onto the workpiece surface without any physical contact between the needle and the substrate. This feature makes them ideally suited for substrates with uneven surfaces or those that are fragile. They excel in micron-scale processes such as bottom-fill applications for chips and precision coating. The jetting method eliminates the need for Z-axis movement, significantly boosting production efficiency while also avoiding common issues associated with contact dispensing, such as stringing and trailing.
The stability of the piezoelectric valve dispensing process directly determines product quality. Common issues such as uneven dispensing, stringing, and glue leakage can be effectively addressed through parameter adjustments and optimized matching. Laike’s piezoelectric valves support multi-level parameter adjustments, enabling precise matching of pressure, injection frequency, and nozzle aperture according to the specific characteristics of different fluids.
Blocking the hole is Piezoelectric valve The most common failures in dispensing operations are often caused by fluid solidification, residual impurities, and nozzle wear, which directly affect dispensing accuracy and efficiency. Given the structural characteristics of piezoelectric valves, these issues can be addressed in three steps: “diagnosis—cleaning—inspection.” First, stop the machine and visually inspect the nozzle for obvious glue deposits or foreign objects, determining whether the blockage is temporary or a persistent issue caused by nozzle wear.
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