Heavy duty pneumatic solenoid valves are compact and rugged, incorporate innovative spool technology and have been developed for use in extreme temperatures, as low as -40 deg C.

Parker, the world's largest manufacturer of motion and control technology, has launched a range of revolutionary heavy duty pneumatic solenoid valves, designed for use in extreme conditions. Called Viking Xtreme, the new valves are compact and rugged, incorporate innovative spool technology and have been developed for use in applications where pneumatics systems have to operate at extreme temperatures, as low as -40 deg C, and at pressures of up to 16 bar. Unlike traditional solenoid valves, which typically use O-ring or lip seals between the valve spool and body, the new Viking Xtreme valves feature a single piece aluminium spool, over-moulded with a specially formulated rubber compound.

This eliminates the problems of seals deforming or extruding especially under conditions of high pressure or flow, reduces the number of component parts and provides an extended operating life.

As a result, the new Viking Xtreme valves can be used in higher pressure, high flow applications and offer excellent response times, with extremely low levels of spool break-away force or sticktion, allowing fast change-over even at low operating pressures.

The high pressure capabilities of the new valves, together with their robust construction, enable them to be used in applications that include logging and construction equipment, quarrying and in sawmills or paper and pulp mills.

In addition, Viking Xtreme valves meet the requirements of the various salt spray and vibration tests required by the transport sector and can therefore be used on commercial vehicles, buses and railway carriages.

The New Viking Xtreme is available in four versions, with 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in ports, are fitted 22mm wide solenoids as standard and can be supplied with a choice of coil voltage options, making them suitable for use in European and North American markets.