Untitled Document

Precautions Concerning the Application, Installation and Service of MAC Valves

 

The precautions below are important to be read and understood before designing into a system any MAC valve, and before installing or servicing any MAC valve. Improper use, installation or servicing of any MAC valve in some systems could create a hazard to personnel or equipment.

Application Precautions:

INDUSTRIAL USE
MAC valves are intended for use in industrial pneumatic and/or vacuum systems. They are not intended for consumer use or service. They are general purpose industrial valves with literally thousands of different applications in industrial systems. These products are not inherently dangerous, but they are only a component of an overall system. The system in which they are used must provide adequate safeguards to prevent injury or damage in the event failure occurs, whether it be failure of switches, regulators, cylinders, valves or any other component.

POWER PRESSES
MAC valves are not designed nor intended to be used to operate and/or control the operation of clutch and/or brake systems on power presses. There are special products on the market for such use.

2-POSITION VALVES
Some MAC valves are 2-position, 4-way valves. When air is supplied to the inlet port(s) of these valves, there will always be a flow path from the inlet to one of the outlets regardless of which of the two positions the valve is situated. Therefore, if pressurized air retained in the system would present a hazard in the application or servicing of the valve or system, a separate method in the system must be provided to remove the trapped air.

3-POSITION VALVES
Some MAC valves are 3-position, 4-way valves. These valves are either double solenoid or double remote air operated. If either of the two operators is in control, air supplied to the inlet port(s) will pass through the valve to one of the outlets as on 2-position, 4-way valves. However, if neither operator is in control, the valve moves to a center position.

CLOSED CENTER VALVES
With this type valve, when in the center position all ports are blocked (inlets and exhausts) meaning the air at both outlet ports is trapped. If trapping the air in both outlet ports would present a hazard in the application or servicing, a separate method in the system must be provided to remove the trapped air or this type valve should not be used.

OPEN CENTER VALVES
With this type valve, when in the center position, the inlet port(s) is blocked and the two outlet ports are open to the exhaust port(s) of the valve. If having no air in either outlet port would present a hazard in the application or servicing, this type valve should not be used.

PRESSURE CENTER VALVES
With this type valve, when in the center position, the inlet port(s) is connected to both outlet ports of the valve. If having pressurized air to either or both outlet ports would present a hazard in the application or servicing of the valve or system, a separate method in the system must be provided to remove the retained air.

OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
MAC valves are to be installed only on applications that meet all operating specifications described in the MAC catalog for the valve.

MANUAL OPERATORS
Most MAC valves can be ordered with manual operators. Manual operators when depressed, are designed to shift the valve to the same position as would the corresponding solenoid or remote air pilot operator if it were activated. Care must be taken to order a type, if any, that will be safe for the physical location of the manual operator in the system.
Accidental activation of a manual operator could create a dangerous situation. If intentional or accidental operation of a valve by a manualoperator could create a dangerous situation then the "no operator" option should be used.

REMOTE AIR OPERATED VALVES
Pilot valves supplying signal pressure to remote air operated valves should be 3-way valves with adequate supply and exhaust capacity to provide positive pressurizing and exhausting of the pilot supply line. Pilot lines should be open to exhaust when valves are deenergized.

Installation Precautions

Do not install MAC valves on a machine without first turning off air (bleed system completely) and electricity to the machine.

MAC valves should only be installed by qualified, knowledgeable personnel who understand how the specific valve is to be pneumatically piped and electrically connected (where applicable). Flow paths through the valve are shown in the catalog and on the valve by use of ANSI or ISO type standard graphic symbols. Do not install unless these symbols and the valve functions and operations are thoroughly understood.

Service Precautions

Do not service or remove from service any MAC valve without first shutting off both the air and electricity to the valve and making certain no pressurized air which could present a hazard is retained in the system.

MAC valves should only be serviced or removed from service by qualified, knowledgeable personnel who understand how the specific valve is piped and used and whether there is air retained in the connecting lines to the valve or electric power still connected to the valve.

MAC valves are never to be stepped on while working on a machine. Damage to the valve, or lines to the valve (either air or electrical lines) or accidental activating of a manual operator on the valve could result in a dangerous situation.

Warning

Under no circumstances are Mac valves to be used on power presses for air clutch and/or brake operations where failure of the valve to operate as intended could in any way jeopardize the safety of the operator or any other person. Under no circumstances are Mac valves to be used in any circuit or in any manner intended to prevent unintended operation of any machinery or other equipment where failure of the valve to operate as intended could jeopardize the safety of the operator or any other person. Air valves are not safety devices nor should they be used in safety systems of any type.

Limitation of Guarantee

This Guarantee is limited to the replacement or rebuilding of any valve which should fail to operate properly. Valves, under the MAC Guarantee, must be returned (with or without bases) transportation prepaid and received at our factory within the Guarantee period. They will be returned to the customer at the expense of MAC Valves, Inc., and will carry the same guarantee as provided under the Flat Rate Rebuild Program.


Disclaimer of Guarantee

No claims for labor, material, time, damage, or transportation are allowable nor will any valve be replaced or rebuilt under this guarantee which has been damaged by the purchaser not in the normal course of its use and maintenance during the warranty period. The guarantee does not apply to loss or damage caused by fire, theft, riot, explosion, labor dispute, act of God, or other causes beyond the control of MAC Valves,Inc. MAC Valves, Inc. shall in no event be liable for remote, special or consequential damages under the MAC Guarantee, nor under any implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability.

The above Guarantee is our manner of extending the engineering and service resources of the MAC Valves, Inc. organization to assure our customer long, and continued satisfaction.

 

 

 

Fluid Power Engineering • 847-364-7455