Contents

Why are valve terminals and fieldbus systems so attractive? ............................................. 2

Position in the product range of Festo AG & Co. KG ............................................................ 2

Overview of the valve terminals of Festo AG & Co KG ......................................................... 3

Origin and principle of construction.................................................................................... 5

Functional structure of valve terminals ............................................................................. 11

Electrical part.................................................................................................................... 11

Pneumatic part ................................................................................................................. 17

Mechanical structure of valve terminals ........................................................................... 27

Installation concepts ........................................................................................................ 31

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
1
 Valve terminals
Significance and Importance

Why are valve terminals and fieldbus systems so

attractive?

In the 1980's, the development of industrial automation

progressed quickly and the systems being built became
ever bigger and more extensive. Thus, the number of
pneumatic and electric and control elements and the
locations where they were used grew as well. The pipe
connections and wiring, becoming ever more complex,
not only drove up the complexity of installation, but also
caused the costs to become immense – and therefore
made a new technical solution absolutely necessary.

Valve terminals are so attractive because, by using

them, the large number of pneumatic, electric and
mechanical installations and connections in a system
can be drastically reduced.

Thanks to the technical and financial development of

computer technology, another good way of supporting
the solutions presented itself: bus systems were
developed. Their use drastically reduces the number of
control-related cabling in the systems, and therefore
reduces the financial as well as the organisational effort
in the system installation for both manufacturers and
users. Why that is will be explained later in this
handbook.

Position in the product range of Festo AG & Co. KG

The valve terminals – as well as the valves used on them

– clearly form part of the core business of Festo AG &
Co. KG. The first valve terminals were sold in 1989 to
Hassia, the mineral water group. This first valve terminal
had no numerical type designation, but the next version
was the designated as “type 02”.

Today, there is a wide variety of different valve

terminals.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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2
 Valve terminals
Overview

Overview of the valve terminals of Festo AG & Co KG

The Festo AG & Co. KG product range can be divided into two

categories with regard to the basic mechanical design:
Hassia –
 Compactly designed valve terminals (fixed number of valves) the first Festo customer
for valve terminals
 Modularly designed valve terminals (can be extended gradually)

Compact valve terminals (fixed grid specified, examples)

Hassia is a group of
companies from the
CPV-SC German federal state of
(Type 80) Hesse; it was founded in
4 to 16 valve positions 1864 by Johann Philipp
Wilhelm Hinkel, the great-
grandfather of the present
managing partner Günter
Hinkel.

CPV
(Type 10)
4, 6 or 8 valve positions Hassia has its company
headquarters in Bad Vilbel,
near Frankfurt am Main.

Tiger
(Type 02)
4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 16 valve positions

Festo AG & Co. KG

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3
 Valve terminals
Overview

Modular valve terminals (examples)

CPA
(Type 12)
Up to 22 valve positions

MPA
(Type 32)
Up to 32 valve positions

Midi/Maxi
(Type 03)
2 to 26 valve positions

ISO
(Type 04)
2 to 16 valve positions

VDMA
(Type 14)
2 to 26 valve positions

Festo AG & Co. KG

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4
 Valve terminals
Origin and Principle of Construction

Origin and principle of construction

Before the development of valve terminals, all systems

were installed with equal complexity – regardless of whether it was

individual cylinders, small groups or even larger systems. Every
individual valve was first electrically connected, i.e. every solenoid More than standard –
coil was wired individually to the control system. Then the silencers application-tailored
and the compressed air supply, as well as the fittings and the Valve terminals
corresponding tubing connectors for the working lines had to be
In addition to valve
connected to the cylinder. Furthermore, all component parts which
terminals which are based
were necessary for operating and installing the valves had to be on existing valve product
separately ordered in advance. ranges, Festo also offers
valve terminals which are
With this, there was already a large potential for error in ordering optimised for certain
the component parts. Parts which didn't fit each other or missing applications.
parts weren't noticed until installation. Reordering and redelivery This includes, for example:
were time-consuming, costly and always led to major delays in the
commissioning of a system. In addition, the individual connection Valve terminal CDVI
of the valves involved a lot of technical work, which in the end also (type 15)
led to much higher financial costs.
It is specially designed for
the conditions in the food
industry. Proven valve
technology is supple-
mented here by a highly
resistant plastic
encapsulation.

An example:
For a system with 200 valves, one requires:

200 valves
400 coil plugs
400 cables for the coils
200 connections for the compressed air supply
400 silencers
400 fittings for the working lines

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
5
 Valve terminals
Origin and Principle of Construction

All the installation work involved with this number of

parts can only be roughly estimated. In addition, the
probability of errors made during ordering, installation
and commissioning increases considerably in proportion
to the increasing number of component parts.

The first step to reduce complexity was to group the

pneumatic connections as much as possible.

The basis for this idea is an extruded aluminium profile.

In the longitudinal direction, continuous air ducts were
introduced via which the valves are connected to the
supply and exhaust air.

Instead of piping or screwing in valve connectors for the

compressed air and silencers, in this solution one fastens
the valves to the profile together with a seal. Now only
one line needs to be attached for the common
compressed air supply and two silencers on the end of
the profile. This means a major reduction in the number
of component parts and the installation requirements.
Continuous air ducts
for the compressed air
supply and the exhaust air
Port patterns for the valves
to be mounted

Modern pneumatic manifold with mounted valves (left),

and (right),.attached supply connector port 1, with silencers at ports 3
and 5

Festo AG & Co. KG

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6
 Valve terminals
Origin and Principle of Construction

All remains is to install the electrical connections.

And here, too, a lot of thought has gone into simplifying
the pneumatic system.

With this came the second step – consolidating the electric 

connections.
PRS manifold?
This was done first on valves with two coils. Their connections were
consolidated to only one connection, using an adapter. This alone The designation ‘PRS’
originates from the now
allowed 50% of this part of the installation work to be saved. obsolete designation of the
valve connections.

P – stood for the supply

Adapter with only one
connection
port, R and S – for the
exhaust ducts.
Today, these connections
are labelled with numbers
at the international level.
For this reason, the PRS
manifold should actually be
called the 135 manifold,
which, however, isn't that
easy to remember.

Now that electric connections were situated on only one side of the Don't forget –
If you look at the end of the
valves they could be consolidated in a similar way to the pneumatic
profile, you will find two
ones. smaller ducts with the
To achieve this, a housing with the electrical contacts was mounted designations 82 and 84
parallel to the aluminium profile for the pneumatic connections. next to the three ducts 1, 3
and 5.

These are two exhaust

ducts for the pilot exhaust
air used for some valves.

84

1
PRS – Manifold
with additional “electrical strip”
5

82

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7
 Valve terminals
Origin and Principle of Construction

This completed the valve terminal – The consolidation of

the pneumatic and electrical connections for multiple
valves.

Since these initial steps, the technology has been

continually developed, and today - 15 years after the sale
of the first valve terminal - a high standard has been
reached with regard to the pneumatic, as well as the
electrical system.

Modern valve terminals:

MPA with CPX (left) and
CPA with AS-i (right)

Festo AG & Co. KG

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8
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions
Exercise
Try it for yourself!
The answers to the questions can be found on the next page.

Question 1: Why are valve terminals of interest?

Because the electrical, pneumatic and mechanical

installation complexity is reduced.

Because they offer more valve functions than individual valves.

Question 2: When where the first valve terminals made?

In the 1960s

At the end of the 1980s

Around 2003

Question 3: Which company first developed and marketed valve terminals?

Festo AG & Co. KG

PARKER

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
9
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions
Exercise answers

Question 1: Why are valve terminals of interest?

Because the electrical, pneumatic and mechanical

installation complexity is reduced. 
Because they offer more valve functions than individual valves.

Question 2: When where the first valve terminals made?

In the 1960s

At the end of the 1980s 

Around 2003

Question 3: Which company first developed and marketed valve terminals?

Festo AG & Co. KG 

PARKER

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
10
 Valve terminals
Functional structure

Functional structure of valve terminals

In principle, valve terminals consist of


an electrical part,
which ensures control of the valve solenoid coils and also enables Speaking of terminals (1)
connection to the control system data exchange (or ‘valve islands’):

Did you know that

a pneumatic part, Germany has 119 islands?
which contains the air supply and exhaust of the valves
The largest German island
a mechanical part, is Rügen, which is off the
which holds all the terminal elements together and makes their Pomeranian coast and
connection possible. belongs to the state of
Mecklenburg-Western
Pomerania.

Electrical part The total length of its

coastline is 574 km!
Of course, it must be possible to actuate every single valve on a At the northern tip of
Rügen is the Cape of
valve terminal individually. However, one also tries to save Arcona.
installation time, and therefore money and space by having as few
connections as possible.
In principle, one can distinguish between the following valve The northernmost island is
connection types by the terminals: the Island of Sylt. The
northernmost point in
Germany, the town of List,
is on Sylt.
Individual connection

In the individual connection – as the name suggests – all valve coils There are various theories
are individually wired. about the origin of the
name “Sylt”.

Some say that the name

Individually wired coils on
a valve slice
“Sylt” comes from the
English word ‘sill’ and
means something like “land
sill”.
Others say that the name
comes from the Danish
word for herring (“sild”),
since the Sylt sailors were
once very active in fishing
for herring.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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11
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

This is more complicated than multiple connectors, but

might be necessary, for example, when individual valves
have to be separately switched on and off for sequencing,
safety or other reasons.

Since in the case of the individual connection, the

electrical part of the terminal is unnecessary, the valve
terminal is initially less expensive. However, thought
must be given to the fact that individual coil plugs have to
be procured, and then wired, involving more complexity.

Individual connections are always made to the pneumatic

manifold without the electrical consolidation discussed
earlier.

Individual wiring on a pneumatic

manifold

Multi-pin plug connector

In the multi-pin plug connector, the connection between

the valve terminal and the controller is established via a
cable which has a wire for every valve coil and also a wire
for the common ground for all valve coils.
(For 20 coils, then, 20 + 1 = 21 wires are required in the
connection cable.)

Design of a multi-pin
plug socket on a
terminal

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12
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

The multi-pin plug connector is available in various

designs:

With Sub-D plug

with different numbers of pins – depending on the number of 
valves coils on a valve terminal and exclusively for the standard 24 D-Sub?
V DC supply. Or maybe DSUB?

The American company

ITT-Cannon developed a
plug connector type in
1952, which was called a
“D subminiature” due to the
D-like shape.
Various versions of the Sub D plug.
This plug type was quickly
With the Harting plug accepted into the world of
a more robust design for standard valve terminals, for example. standards, specifically in
These are also available for versions with an input voltage of 120 V the MIL standard 23308.
AC.
After many years of use,
several different
abbreviations for this
“D-shaped subminiature”
connector have established
themselves on the market,
such as:

D Sub
D-Sub
DSUB,
Sub-D
DB9 (D-Sub 9-pin)
Harting plug DB25 (D-Sub 25-pin),
HD15 (D-Sub 15-pin, high
With a round plug density)
an earlier variant which was replaced by the Sub-D plug. HP50 (D-Sub 50-pin, half-
pitch) ...

Hence the “confusion”

which comes up every
once in a while.

Round plug

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13
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Within the terminal, the connections are made via

corresponding contacts to the respective coil
connections.
Contacts
Common earth conductor for
the coils

Electrical
contacts

Contact wiring principle within the valve terminal

As a matter of principle, in the

multi-pin system, the switching
capacity for the coils has to be
provided over the entire path
from the controller to the valves,
and the controller itself must
have outputs with the
corresponding capacity for
providing current to the coils.

Naturally, compared to the wiring of Valve terminal slice with

contacts
individual connections, much work is
saved using the multi-pin connector. As
already mentioned, only one wire is needed for each coil
on the terminal and an additional wire for the common
ground). (Overall, then, one wire less per coil.)

Moreover, with the multi-pin plug system, one is not

dependent on data transmission protocols which are
required for the fieldbus system.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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14
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Fieldbus connection

With the development of computer technology, and especially data

communication technology, it became possible to noticeably 
reduce the required wiring. Instead of transmitting each of the
switching signals to consuming devices on a separate wire, coded Avoid cable spaghetti by
signals are now exchanged via shared wires. The coding of the “recoiling”?
signal and its transmission is defined in what we call protocols.
Everyone is familiar with it:
More detailed information about this can be found in the
One coils up a cable – e.g.
corresponding section of this handbook. from a vacuum cleaner -
and the cable always twists
To connect a valve terminal to a fieldbus system, a ‘fieldbus node’ itself up. The loops of cable
is necessary, which is an additional valve terminal module. never lie neatly on top of
each other.

The problem can be

avoided if one rolls up the
cable in the same direction
that the cable wires go. If
Fieldbus node
(example) one allows the cable to
slide through an appro-
priate device – or at home,
through one's slightly
opened hand – so that the
twisting can be undone,
one speaks of “recoiling”
the cable.

This is an old seafaring

term. Here, the problem
occurs when ropes are laid
The fieldbus signal is usually transmitted via a two-wire cable. together. Since high forces
are involved, the twisting of
This cable is inexpensive and is very easy to lay compared to a a rope during coiling for
multi-pin system. Since no “power switching” outputs are use could very easily turn
required on the PLC, the control cabinet is also smaller. The into a source of danger.
coil amplifiers are contained in the fieldbus node and are no
longer in the control system.

In addition to this data cable, a cable for the voltage supply to the
valve coils is required.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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15
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Integrated controller (programmable valve terminal)

For extremely compact solutions and and for simpler

installations, valve terminals with an integrated controller
are also available. In this case, no wiring work is
necessary at all. For autonomous systems, this is the
optimal solution.

Valve terminals with an integrated controller can also be

a component of a fieldbus system. Here, there can be a
main controller for the overall system, while the valve
terminals each control a subsystem with their controllers
and only exchange “high-order” information with the
main control system.

Control block –
integrated in the valve terminal

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16
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Pneumatic part

Supply and exhaust air


The valves mounted on a terminal are supplied with compressed
air via air ducts within the terminal. The supply initially enters on Speaking of pressure:
one side of the valve terminal. The corresponding input module
provides two connections for this: one for the main air feed and As we know, the pressure
– at least pressure in a
one for any required auxiliary pilot air for switching the valves.
technical context – is the
result of a force acting on
an area.
Silencer
Input module with We can easily imagine
connections for most pressures, surfaces
auxiliary pilot and and forces which exist in
our everyday lives.
main air feed But let's take a look at
some less familiar facts:

The Earth's atmosphere

has a mass of around
5·1015 tons. That alone is a
very impressive figure.

The exhaust air is vented to atmosphere via a silencer. The Earth's surface area is
about 510·million km².
Thus, on every km² of the
Earth's surface, there is
Valve module approximately 10 million
The air is supplied to the tons of air !!
valve positions via internal
ducts. With increasing altitude,
the air pressure decreases
Each valve position consists since there is less and less
of a sub-base with air ducts air pressing on the layers
and a valve module. lying underneath it. If one
tracks the pressure curve,
the following becomes
clear:

- Air pressure at 5-6 km

Air ducts altitude is 50% of that at
sea level.
Sub-base
- At 15-20 km altitude, air
pressure is10% of that at
sea level.

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17
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Sub-bases or manifold sub-bases and valve modules

Although the designs of sub-bases or manifold sub-bases are often

quite different, there are generally only a few functional differences
between them.

Their principal use is for mechanically mounting or attaching the

valve modules, for linking the modules to the incoming and
outgoing air supply and to the electrical connections.

Strictly speaking, these are sub-base valves in which the sub-base

is a fixed component of a valve terminal.

Sub-bases or manifold sub-bases can accommodate either one or

several valve modules. If there are several receiving positions
available then this configuration is referred to as a valve manifold.

Sub-base or manifold sub-base for Sub-base or manifold sub-base for

accommodating a single valve accommodating several valves

Sub-bases or manifold sub-base with valve modules installed

Festo AG & Co. KG

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18
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

However, there are solutions in which the valve modules or the

individual valve functions are configured as a sub-base right from
the start. This is referred to as a valve slice.

Its advantage is its significantly reduced size. However, this also

means that in certain cases the flexibility of the entire system is
reduced, for example because operation of the terminal has to be
interrupted in order for a valve module to be changed. In addition,
the actual installation and removal are more complicated.
The figure on the left shows a valve slice of this kind.

Electrical part for

valve function

Valve
mechanism

Individual valve
slice

Valve slices before mounting

Finished valve
terminal

Valve terminals with valve slices can be designed to very compact

sizes. Systems with a sub-base, on the other hand, have a high
level of flexibility and are quick and easy to convert and change or
when dealing with a valve failure.

The latter point is particularly important for systems that have to

operate at high levels of reliability and availability.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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19
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Valve modules

Irrespective of whether the valve module is configured as a valve

slice or a module for connecting to a sub-base or manifold sub-
base, it contains the actual valve functions, the connections to the
power supply and the control signals.

The valve functions are similar to those in valves which are not
intended for a valve terminal, i.e. there are control pistons, pilot
valves, etc.

Control piston Ducts for Manual overrides

pilot air

Air ducts

Actuator solenoid coils with pin

contacts to the valve terminal sub-
base

Openings are provided for incoming and outgoing air, thus

establishing the connection to the air ducts of the valve terminals.
The valve module is then mounted on the sub-base of the valve
terminal and is then ready for use.

Valve module

12 / 14

5 82 / 84
Seal 1
3
5

Sub-base Various air ducts in the sub-

bases of the valve terminals Electrical
Festo AG & Co. KG contacts
Torsten Goldammer
20
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

In addition to realising individual valve functions with 5/2 or 5/3-

way valves, it is also possible to combine two 3/2-way valves in a
common valve slice. This provides the user with a number of
options for using individual valves:

- activating one separate cylinder each,

- activating one cylinder with two valves
(e.g. to have different pressures for advancing and retracting)
- switching the individual valves simultaneously
for a 5/2 or 5/3-way valve function.

The picture below shows a possible combination of individual

valves, i.e. a 3/2-way valve, normally open, and a 3/2-way valve,
normally closed

The initial position is adopted as soon as there is compressed air at

port 1. The control pistons are pushed into the outer position due
to pressure on the piston ends.

3/2-way individual valve 3/2-way individual valve

Normally closed Normally open

The valve slice in its initial position.

Auxiliary pilot air: e.g. for operating

individual valves simultaneously.

The valve slice in its actuated position.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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21
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Vertical stacking

In order to accommodate additional functions in a valve terminal,

such as pressure regulation or flow control, it is possible to use
vertical stacking.

This is done by mounting a module with the selected additional

function between the valve slice and the sub-base or manifold sub-
base. This additional function is assigned to the corresponding
valve slice, rather than to the entire valve terminal or parts of it.

Although this increases the

overall height of the valve
terminal, having all the
functions in one place does
produce an extremely compact,
central design.

Valve slice

Valve slice

Intermediate module for the additional function

Sub-base module of the valve terminal

Valve terminal with additional functions in vertical stacking

This picture clearly shows that parts of the electrical/electronic

system also have to be adapted to the vertical stacking design. The
LEDs for displaying the valve functions have to be longer in order to
compensate for the additional height of the intermediate module.

Additional functions for modules in vertical stacking can include:

 Pressure regulation of compressed air 1

 Pressure regulation of air 2 and 4
 Pressure blocking for a particular valve slice
 Pressure supply vertically for supplying
the corresponding valve slice with a separate pressure
 Flow control of exhaust air 3 and 5, each with separate flow
control.

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22
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Separate pressure zones

Different pressure zones can be set up on a valve terminal. This

might be necessary in order to operate individual valves with 
different pressures, or in order to provide the air feed from different
positions in the case of long valve terminals. This may be necessary Speaking of silencers:
in order to supply especially large valves with air sufficiently
quickly – long paths through the terminal would hinder this.
The silencer has the task
Pressure zones are also created, however, in order to prevent valve of damping the sound
pressure, which is created
exhausts from influencing each other and to enable shared by a sound wave.
operation of valves at gauge pressure and in the vacuum range on
the same terminal. The sound pressure is
given in dB (decibels).
To define the individual pressure ranges, separator plates are
provided in the valve terminals or isolating discs are placed in the This designation comes
corresponding ducts. from the general physical
dimension “level”, which is
specified in bels or tenths
of a bel (i.e. decibels. The
unit of measurement was
named after the Scottish
speech therapist, inventor
and businessman
Alexander Graham Bell.

Additional air supply connection

First air supply connection

Duct 5

Duct 1
Alexander Graham Bell
1847 - 1922
Duct 3

And to avoid confusion:

Volume is a measure of
how a person senses noise
pressure. It is specified in
“phons”.

A phon is equivalent to a
Separator plate (example) used sinusoidal sound with a
to create an additional supply. frequency of 1 kHz and a
noise pressure level of 40
Isolating disc (example) also dB.
used to create an additional
supply. Unused ducts are sealed.
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23
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

The additional supply can be introduced into the

corresponding pressure zones via the separator plates
and pressure zone modules.

The main air supply and exhaust is effected via

connections in the lateral blanking plates.

In modern terminals, the exhaust air is guided out via flat

plate silencers, which not only save space, but are also
more efficient than conventional screw-in silencers.

Flat plate silencer

Conventional silencers

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24
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions
Exercise
Try it for yourself!
The answers to the questions can be found on the next page.

Question 1: Name the elements in the picture.

Question 2: How many valve functions can one valve module have?
(You can tick more than one box.)

One function

Two functions

Up to 4 functions

Question 3: What is the purpose of vertical stacking?

To strengthen the mechanical mounting.

For mounting on a vertical H-rail.

To install additional functions.

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
25
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions
Exercise answers

Question 1: Name the elements in the figure.

Valve module

Sub-base or manifold
sub-base

Air duct

Question 2: How many valve functions can one valve module have?
(You can tick more than one box.)

One function 
Two functions

Up to 4 functions

Question 3: What is the purpose of vertical stacking?

To strengthen the mechanical mounting.

For mounting on a vertical H-rail.

To install additional functions. 

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
26
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

Mechanical structure of valve terminals

Modularity of valve terminals 

Two basic types of structures can be distinguished: Speaking of modules:

Compactly constructed valve terminals and The term “module”

Was of great significance
Modularly constructed valve terminals. in architecture.

It comes from the word

Compactly constructed valve terminals “modulo”, which means
‘scale’.
In the case of compactly constructed valve terminals, the number
It referred to the radius at
of valve positions cannot be changed. It doesn't matter whether all the base of a column, from
positions are occupied with valves, or only with a blanking plate or which the dimensions of all
something similar. other components in
classic Greek architecture
At each position, valves can be mounted with a selectable function were determined.
– for example as a 2/3-way or 5/3-way valve. The figure shows
This method was re-
three variants of a modular terminal which is available with a fixed adopted during the
number of valve positions. Renaissance and in the
20th century as ‘Modolor’,
a dimension system used
by the architect Le
Corbusier, which is based
on the golden ratio.

Grid level 1:
4 valve positions

Grid level 2:
8 valve positions

Grid level 3:
16 valve positions

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 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

If one requires more valves than available on the

maximum grid size, there are two options: either you
would use a modular valve terminal or one that connects
several compact valve terminals together within a bus
system.

Connection of several compact valve terminals (e.g. via AS-interface)

Modular design valve terminals

While the number of valve positions is fixed for compact

valve terminals, this can be freely chosen (up to a
maximum number) on the modular valve terminals and
can be increased or reduced at a later date.

Here also, one can leave valve positions empty and

provide them with a blanking plate. In this way, one
keeps the option of retrofitting the system with valves
quickly and easily in the future.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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28
 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

With modular valve terminals, the valves are each

secured to a manifold sub-base. These can then be
mounted next to each other and combined with a plate on each end
to form one valve terminal. 
Speaking of terminals (2)
Mechanical fittings system (or ‘valve islands’):

Did you know, that

Mechanical connection of the valve positions
Greenland is the biggest
island on Earth?
There is no general solution for these assemblies. Valve terminals
differ according to the manufacturer and the design conditions. Greenland in the native
However there are two generally used types: Greenland language is
called Kalaallit Nunaat –
“Land of the people”.
The tie rod
Here, two tie rods are passed through the individual valve terminal Danish Grønland – “green
modules and compression of all elements is achieved by tightening land”
the two screws at each the end. On one hand, this is a really simple
and cost-effective method; but on the other hand it has the Geographically, Greenland
belongs to Arctic North
disadvantage that the length of the tie rods has to be adapted to
America, but politically it is
the modules or to the total length of a combination of various an autonomous part of the
modules. When there is a subsequent change in the valve terminal, Kingdom of Denmark.
you can obtain an additional short tie rod as an extension, or, if you
want to shorten it, a suitable new length can be ordered. In 1978, Greenland was
granted the right of self-
administration from
Tie rod for connecting
Denmark and became an
the modules independent member of
the Danish Kingdom.

Tie rod screws

Festo AG & Co. KG

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 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

The assembly
The individual modules of a valve terminal are simply
screwed together, in sequence, to build up the entire
terminal.

Securing screws

Assembly of the valve terminals

Ultimately, terminals will have to be attached to a machine or
system. There are two options here:

Wall mounting
For this, s mounting threads or through-holes are
provided so that wall mounting is possible.

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
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 Valve terminals
Functional Structure

DIN rail
This standardised rail enables the valve terminal to be
installed in a control cabinet or to be mounted to a wall or
a machine frame or similar. Manufacturers offer suitable
adapters with which the valve terminals can be attached
to the DIN-rail and fastened.

DIN-rail

Installation concepts

In order to ensure the effectiveness of valve terminals within a

system, it is not only the performance of the individual components
that is important, but also the different installation concepts for the
valve terminals.

The pneumatic and signalling performance of the individual

components forms the basis, as does the ability to create
subsystems.

Festo AG & Co. KG

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 Valve terminals
Installation concepts

Centralised installation

This groups all the electrical inputs and outputs as well as all the
valves on a valve terminal, from where they are controlled. In other
words, the "classic" case of a complete valve terminal.

These valve terminals are mounted in the system in an easily

accessible position, e.g. on the front of a machine or on a machine
rack. The pneumatic control loop thus only covers a few metres.

"Complete" valve terminal

with electrics and
pneumatics Pneumatic tubing

Pneumatics
Sensor cable
in the system

Various input and output modules

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
32
 Valve terminals
Installation concepts

Decentralised installation

In this case, the individual functions and subsystems are activated

decentrally via smaller valve terminals. This means that the
pneumatic supply and activation, especially of time-critical
components, can be realised very close to those components. This
results in very short tubing lengths and thus short cycle times, a
reduction in the amount of installation materials needed and
reduced energy consumption, whilst often also offering very
compact installation conditions. The control signals are arranged
via a common electrical terminal. This terminal can also be used as
a connection to a fieldbus system.

Decentralised valve
terminal

Pneumatic tubing

Pneumatics
in the system

Electrical
terminal

Sensor cable
I/O modules

Decentralised valve
terminal

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
33
 Valve terminals
Installation concepts

Hybrid installation

This is only available from Festo: the greatest possible modular

combination of centralised and decentralised installation. This
enables the specific benefits of both systems to be used in an
optimum way – while still having the option to expand it! With Festo
valve terminals, centralised and/or decentralised concepts can also
be achieved in a protected installation space, thus enabling
optimum installation in a control cabinet or on a control cabinet
wall.

"Complete" valve terminal

with electrics and
pneumatics

Pneumatic tubing

Sensor cable
Pneumatics
in the system

I/O modules

Valve terminal in
decentralised installation

Upstream functions

Individual functions such as repositioning, loading and unloading

take place outside the machine. Tools on robots or handling
systems or stoppers and gates along a conveying route are also
often placed upstream of these functions.

Both decentralised and hybrid installations lend themselves to

adaptations.
Festo AG & Co. KG
Torsten Goldammer
34
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions

Exercise
Try it for yourself!
The answers to the questions can be found on the next page.

Question 1: What does "centralised installation" mean?

All electrical connections are on one PLC.

All I/O connections and all valves are on one valve terminal.

The compressed air supply for the system comes from one point.

Question 2: Which of these statements is applicable for a

"valve terminal of modular design?

Each valve position is a closed module.

The electrical and pneumatic subsystems

of the terminal are modular and easy to change.

Individual valve positions can be added to or removed

from the valve terminal.

Question 3: What is the function of a tie rod on a valve terminal?

For pulling out the valve modules.

For assembling all valve positions onto one valve terminal.

For mounting in a T-slot.

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
35
 Valve terminals
Exercise questions

Exercise answers

Question 1: What does "centralised installation" mean?

All electrical connections are on one PLC.

All I/O connections and all valves are on one valve terminal.

The compressed air supply for the system comes from one point.

Question 2: Which of these statements is applicable for a

"valve terminal of modular design"?

Each valve position is a closed module.

The electrical and pneumatic subsystems

of the terminal are modular and are easy to change.

Individual valve positions can be added to or removed

from the valve terminal.


Question 3: What is the function of a tie rod on a valve terminal?

For pulling out the valve modules.

For assembling all valve positions onto one valve terminal. 

For mounting in a T-slot.

Festo AG & Co. KG

Torsten Goldammer
36
 Index
Assembly of the valve terminals ....................... 30
Compactly constructed valve terminals ............ 27
DIN rail .............................................................. 31
Electrical part .................................................... 11
Fieldbus connection .......................................... 15
fieldbus node .................................................... 15
Harting plug ...................................................... 13
Hassia ................................................................. 2
Individual connection........................................ 11
installation work ................................................. 6
Integrated controller ......................................... 16
manifold sub-base ............................................ 29
Mechanical fittings system ............................... 29
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Modular design valve terminals ........................ 28
Modularity ......................................................... 27
Multi-pin plug connector ................................... 12
programmable valve terminal ........................... 16
round plug......................................................... 13
sub-base ........................................................... 17
Sub-D plug ........................................................ 13
Supply and exhaust air...................................... 17
valve module ..................................................... 17
Wall mounting ................................................... 30
wiring
installation: .................................................. 15
Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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