The Right Pressure Control Valve Matters: Poppet Valve or Spool Valve?
The most common designs for a pressure control valve are the spool and poppet. When you need to choose between 3- and 4-way valves for pneumatic or pressure control circuits, you need to take the internal design of a poppet valve or spool valve into consideration. Using either a poppet valve or spool valve will have a significant impact on your specific application.
Poppet valves
Poppet valves consist of an orifice that is opened and closed by lowering or raising the sealing surface to the orifice. To hold the valve in the closed position, there is an internal spring. This same spring, when overcome, makes the sealing surface lift off the orifice to open the valve.
Spool valves
Spool valves consist of a shaft with a series of O-rings inside a barrel. As the shaft moves back and forth, the O-rings shift their position to close or open for different flow paths.
Advantages of poppet valves
- Despite a small size, a poppet valve has a higher flow rate.
- It has a closed crossover.
- It has a longer life with lower friction.
- Faster response times.
- Lower maintenance and less susceptible to contamination.
- Lower cost.
Poppet valves are better suited for applications that require precise control, high flow rates, long life, low leak rates, and fast response times.
Advantages of spool valves
- Spool valves need less force to actuate.
- It can be used to lock pressure downstream.
- In operating pressures, actuation forces are unaffected by changes.
- Its response times remain constant.
- It has 4-way functionality and more complex flow paths.
Spool valves are better suited for vacuum applications, applications requiring holding pressure downstream, applications with selector valves, and applications requiring consistent response time.
Which valve will work best for your application?
When choosing between a poppet and spool valve, consider your specific needs and other factors that are critical to the application. For applications that need precise control because of a closed crossover, faster response times and immediate open actuation, then you need a poppet valve. But if your applications require a vacuum and consistent response times, you need to choose a spool valve, instead.
Original valves by Univer from Master Mac 2000
One of the best manufacturers of pressure control valve systems and other pneumatic valves since 1980 is Univer. This quality brand is exclusively distributed in the Queensland and Northern New South Wales areas by MasterMac2000. Univer valves are proven for all applications, including heavy industry applications. Contact us today for more information on 07 3344 4711. You can also message us on https://mastermac2000.com.au/contact-us/.
About MasterMac2000: Your Trusted Pneumatic & Process Automation Partner.
LEADING THE INDUSTRY: Established in 1989, MasterMac2000 has grown to become one of Australia's largest privately owned pneumatic and process automation companies. We stock top-quality brands like Univer, Mack, Tolomatic, Mac, Piab, American, and Rotoflux in Brisbane.
SERVING QLD & NORTHERN NSW: We proudly service Queensland and Northern New South Wales for all your pneumatic and process equipment needs. Our mission is to provide the best pre and post-sales support while actively expanding our client base.
SOURCING HARD-TO-FIND PARTS: Not only do we stock quality components, but we also excel at sourcing those elusive, hard-to-find parts. With our extensive database and global network of contacts, getting the parts you require is as easy as a call to our highly skilled, professional sales team.
DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS:
- Decades of expertise in pneumatics & process automation
- Carefully curated selection of world-class brands
- Exceptional sourcing capabilities for speciality parts
- Knowledgeable sales staff dedicated to finding solutions
- Unwavering commitment to customer service excellence
About The Author
Stuart Havill
Stuart Havill is the owner and manager of MasterMac2000, Queensland's largest privately owned pneumatic and process valve company.
With his early working career as a maintenance fitter for Boral in 1992, Stuart has spent his life in the field of pneumatics and process equipment. He gained extensive experience in plant design, maintenance, repairs, fabrication, and site management.
In 1996, he transitioned to a pneumatic sales technician role at MasterMac2000, where he excelled in key account management, providing cost-effective solutions, and managing a sales team of 9 employees.
Since 2002, Stuart has been the manager at MasterMac2000, overseeing the company's growth and establishing it as a leader in pneumatic automation and process valve engineering. His expertise spans customer training, CRM setup, industrial compressor sizing and installation, and turn-key project management.
Under Stuart's leadership, MasterMac2000 has been servicing the industry since 1988, with 5 full-time sales representatives covering northern rivers NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, and PNG. The company prides itself on providing the best-priced solutions to all customers in the marketplace.
View Stuart’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about his expertise in pneumatics and process equipment.