AxFlow UK supplies APV valve actuators and control units for reliable automation of hygienic valves used in food, dairy, beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical and personal-care processing.
APV pneumatic valve automation can provide remote valve operation, position feedback and integration with plant control systems. Current APV solutions include CU4 and CU4plus valve control units, with options for Direct Connect, AS-Interface and IO-Link communication.
As APV's exclusive UK distributor, AxFlow can help match the correct actuator and control technology to your APV valve and automation system.
What does a valve actuator do?
A valve actuator provides the mechanical force required to open or close a process valve.
On APV hygienic valves, pneumatic actuators use compressed air to operate the valve automatically rather than requiring manual intervention.
They can be used on valve technologies including:
- Single seat valves
- Mixproof valves
- Butterfly valves
- Ball valves
- Safety and process valves
What is an APV valve control unit?
A valve control unit sits on or alongside the pneumatic actuator and manages valve operation, feedback and communication with the wider plant-control system.
APV CU4 and CU4plus control units combine functions such as:
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Solenoid-valve control
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Valve-position feedback
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Visual status indication
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Manual override
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Airflow adjustment
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Valve diagnostics
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Automated seat-lift control on suitable valves
APV's current CU4plus range supports modern automation protocols including Direct Connect, AS-i and IO-Link.
CU4 or CU4plus: which should I choose?
| Requirement | APV option |
|---|---|
| Straightforward valve automation | CU4 |
| Direct-wired control | CU4 / CU4plus Direct Connect |
| AS-Interface network | CU4 / CU4plus AS-i |
| IO-Link integration | CU4plus IO-Link |
| Advanced diagnostics | CU4plus |
| Modern plant automation / Industry 4.0 | CU4plus |
| Suitable hazardous-area applications | Certified CU4 / CU4plus configuration |
CU4plus also provides contact-free valve-stem measurement, teach-in functionality and enhanced monitoring capabilities.
Why automate hygienic valves?
Automated valve actuation can help improve:
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Process repeatability
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Product routing
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CIP sequencing
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Valve-position confirmation
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Production efficiency
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Operator safety
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Fault detection
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Maintenance planning
In larger food and beverage plants, automated valve control can also simplify operation of complex valve manifolds.
Which APV valves can be automated?
APV control units are designed for a wide range of pneumatically operated hygienic valves.
Current CU4plus documentation includes configurations for butterfly valves, single-seat valves and D4/DA4 double-seat mixproof valves.
The exact actuator and control-unit configuration depends on the valve type and whether functions such as seat lifting are required.
What information is needed for selection?
For an initial assessment, provide:
- APV valve model
- Valve size
- Required fail position
- Available compressed-air pressure
- Required feedback
- Plant communication protocol
- Seat-lift requirements
- Hazardous-area classification where relevant
Why choose AxFlow for APV valve automation?
AxFlow is APV's exclusive UK distributor and supports customers with valve automation, control-unit selection, genuine APV components and technical support.
Whether you are automating a new APV valve or upgrading an existing installation, AxFlow can help identify the correct actuator, control unit and communication option.
Speak to AxFlow about your APV valve automation requirements.
