Our Products
An actuator is a mechanical device that facilitates movement through the use of pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical power. Actuators create motion in accordance with directing impulses created through manual or electric means. These impulses, which can be electrical current or applied pressure, are translated into linear or rotary motion, thereby directing the desired amount of force. They may also be used to exert force to prevent motion, as in a clamping mechanism.
A manually operated actuator is activated through direct user contact with a wheel, lever, or gear device. Actuators operated through pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical means exert control over the distribution and direction of force through systems that do not involve direct physical contact.
Actuators are critical components for a wide variety of applications, including:
- Automotive equipment
- Energy generation equipment
- Food processing facilities
- Automated factory equipment
- Material handling and transport equipment
- Machine tools
- Medical and health equipment
- Packaging facilities
- Valves and process systems
Since 1933, Erdmann has been a dedicated supplier of quality pipe, valve, and fitting products for a wide range of industries and applications. We offer a wide range of actuators to meet a variety of specialized demands, including rack and pinion, vane, and electric designs. Depending on the application, each type of actuator offers particular benefits.
Below is a short summary of the actuators offered by Erdmann Corporation, their operating methods, and their common uses.
Rack and Pinion Actuators
A rack and pinion actuator uses a gear mechanism to transfer linear motion from a spindle to a pinion. Rack and pinion actuators use pneumatic energy from compressed air to create torque for reliable and steady application of force.
They are typically sturdier than vane and electric actuators, so they are particularly useful in harsh or hazardous industrial processes that require frequent repetitive motion for long periods of time. In addition, they require less maintenance and offer a higher torque-to-size ratio than other types of actuators.
Vane Actuators
Vane actuators use fluid or gas pressure to create pneumatic or hydraulic force via inlet and outlet ports. Fluid or gas from the inlet port applies force to one side the vane, which is attached to a spindle, thereby creating rotary motion. The speed and force are modified by opening and closing the ports to increase or decrease pressure on either side of the vane.
Vane actuators can be found in automated applications with open and close valves, dampers, and louvers. Vane actuators are particularly useful for light loads and precision applications, and are valued for their small size, as they can be used in small spaces and complex enclosures.
Electric Actuators
An electric actuator creates movement through the use of electric current. Electric actuators use electricity to power a rotating spindle, which turns a helical screw in a ball screw nut, in turn translating torque into linear motion. They are used in automated dampers and valves for enhanced process efficiency in industrial and manufacturing equipment.
Due to their electric power, the speed of rotation is easier to control using computer programming and automation. This makes electrically powered actuators ideal for applications which require high levels of precision and position control.
Quality Actuators from Erdmann
At Erdmann, we are pleased to provide superior actuators for a wide variety of industries and applications. Over the last 70 years, we have established a solid reputation for top quality industrial valves and specialized fittings for our customers around the world. Our highly experienced and knowledgeable staff offer comprehensive support services to ensure that we meet and exceed our customers expectations in a timely fashion.
We offer customized service and quality precision components for even the most demanding uses. For more information on our actuators, contact us.
Valves are mechanical or electromechanical components used to control the movement of fluids and fluid-like substances through piping and tubing systems.
They generally rely on a mechanical barrier component to allow or stop the flow of material. Beyond this shared characteristic, valves may vary significantly in regard to design, construction, and application.
At Erdmann, we’ve supplied industrial valves to customers and contractors for over 80 years. The valves we offer are:
- Ball valves
- Butterfly valves
- Gate valves
- Diaphragm valves
- Plug valves
- Globe valves
- Check valves
Below we provide a more comprehensive overview of our product offerings.
Ball Valves
Ball valves are quarter-turn rotary valves that feature a ball-shaped mechanical barrier with a straight bore between two cup-shaped valve seats. When the valve is open, material flows through the ball. When the valve is closed, the bore is not aligned with the seat openings and material cannot pass through it.
Our ball valves come in several designs, such as split-body and unibody, regular, full, V, and multiple port, in-line repairable, soft seated or metal seated, and gear-operated. They are available in many construction materials, including:
- Alloy 20
- Bronze
- Carbon steel
- Ductile iron
- Hastelloy
- Lined
- PVC
- Sanitary
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves are quarter-turn valves that feature a circular, disc-shaped mechanical barrier and single valve seat. When the disc is parallel to the direction of flow, material can move through the valve. When the disc is perpendicular to the direction of flow, material cannot move through the valve.
Our butterfly valves are available in the following models:
- Resilient seated: general-duty valves designed for use in on/off and throttling applications up to 200 psi (in 2 to 12-inch sizes) and up to 150 psi (in 14 to 48-inch sizes)
- High-performance: valves designed for long-term use even in harsh operating conditions
- Triple offset: valves designed to reduce wear stemming from sealing surface contact while maintaining a strong seal in high cycle operations
- Jacketed: high-performance valves designed for use in rail tank car applications
- Steam traced and jacketed: valves designed to prevent the solidification of material
- Fully lined: valves designed to withstand use with corrosive materials
Gate Valves
Gate valves feature a plate-shaped barrier that moves up and down to start and stop flow, respectively. They are generally used for on-off applications.
Our gate valves are available in wedge, knife, slide, and AWWA/UL/FM compliant variations. They are available in several construction materials, including:
- Alloy
- Bronze
- Carbon steel
- Chrome
- Ductile iron
- PVC
- Stainless steel
Diaphragm Valves
Diaphragm valves rely on flexible membranes to stop flow and separate the actuating mechanism from the process material. This latter quality makes them ideal for use in sanitary applications, such as cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical product manufacturing.
We offer the following diaphragm valves:
- ITT and Saunders diaphragm valves: available in sizes ranging from ¼ to 14 inches and accommodates pressures from vacuum to 230 psi in general industrial operations
- Weir diaphragm valves: provides superior performance in sanitary operations
Plug Valves
Plug valves operate similarly to ball valves, except they employ a cylindrical—rather than spherical—mechanical barrier to control flow. Our plug valves are available with several design options, including sleeved, jacketed, or fully lined bodies and rectangular, full, or multiple ports.
Globe Valves
Globe valves are linear motion valves designed to regulate flow through a system. They feature a rising stem design that lowers or raises the mechanical barrier to stop and start flow as needed. Typical applications include flow control in chemical feed systems, cooling water systems, fuel oil systems, heater and boiler systems, and turbine systems.
Check Valves
Check valves—also known as one-way or non-return valves—allow for fluid flow in a single direction. In the event fluid flow reverses direction during operations, they are designed to close automatically. This characteristic prevents backflow, which can cause damage to system components and, in extreme cases, system failure. Some examples of typical applications include centrifugal pump systems and HVAC systems.
We offer the following types of check valves: swing, piston, silent, and dual disc wafer check valves. Similar to our gate valves they are available in a variety of construction materials.
Valve Solutions from Erdmann Corporation
Valves play a critical role in a wide range of material handling applications across virtually every industry. For customers looking for a high-quality valve supplier, Erdmann is the ideal partner.
At Erdmann, our team is equipped with decades of industry experience, which gives us the knowledge and skills to select the right valve for any application. For additional information about our valve offerings or assistance choosing one for your specific needs, reach out to us today.
Sanitary valves are specialized valves that are designed for clean or sterile processing applications such as food processing, medical, and pharmaceutical. They have a smooth, polished surface without crevices or cavities where contaminants can accumulate, eliminating the risk of buildup and bacterial growth. Sanitary valves are commonly made from stainless steel and can withstand frequent cleaning and sterilizing processes.
Selecting a Sanitary Valve
When selecting the right sanitary valve for a system, it’s important to consider the intended application and which medical, food, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and ANSI standards the components must meet. Other factors to consider as you’re selecting a sanitary valve include:
- Which type of valve is best to control flow movement
- Specifications such as diameter, working pressure, and operating temperature
- The kind of material being transported through the valve
Types of Sanitary Valves We Offer
At Erdmann, we supply a wide variety of valves and components to our customers. Our three most popular sanitary valve types are butterfly, ball, and check valves.
Sanitary Butterfly Valve
Sanitary butterfly valves have a spinning disc that quickly opens or blocks off the interior area of an attached pipe system to halt the flow of fluid. They can remain partially shut to create a pressurized stream of fluid or fully open by rotating the disc to be parallel with the fluid flow. Sanitary butterfly valves are commonly used in throttle valve applications.
Sanitary Ball Valve
Sanitary ball valves are composed of a hollow, pivoting ball and are commonly used for fluid regulation and control applications. Operators use a handle to quickly open the valve by aligning the hole with fluid flow, and close it by pivoting the ball 90°, allowing the flow of liquid to stop immediately.
Sanitary Check Valve
Sanitary check valves have a unique design that prevents potential backflow. The entrance port is blocked by a disc on a spring. When the fluid has enough force, it pushes against the disc, through the valve, and out the exit port. When the pressure isn’t strong enough, the check valve seals shut, ensuring one-way flow. Sanitary check valves are commonly used in complex manufacturing and processing applications.
Sanitary Valve Brands We Carry
We partner with major sanitary valve manufacturers to provide the right parts and solutions to each of our customers. We carry the following brands:
Tru-Flo. Tru-Flo sanitary valves are easy to integrate into preexisting systems due to their self-adjusting packing that removes the need for brackets or similar hardware. The insulated design eliminates the risk of leaks.
ITT. ITT specializes in creating hygienic valves for pharmaceutical systems and other sensitive applications. Their sanitary valves and components are built for a diverse range of high-purity and aseptic process needs.
Saunders. Saunders sanitary valves meet international standards and come in a wide variety of types and fluid compatibilities. They’re ideal for use in manufacturing systems in food, beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.
Dixon. Dixon sanitary valves are available in 304 and 316L stainless steel varieties to best withstand contact with different types of fluids. Dixon also produces an extensive line of fittings to match any piping system or specifications.
VNE. VNE specializes in valves for biopharmaceutical, food, dairy, and personal care industries. They provide educational seminars and are involved in developing safety standards for the industry.
Working with Erdmann
Erdmann is an industry expert with over 75 years of experience in providing reliable hardware for manufacturing and processing centers. We provide consistent service with top brands in the industry. Request a quote today to get started on your next valve solution.
At Erdmann, we’ve supplied valves and valve products to industrial customers and contractors for over 80 years. Our broad selection of standard and specialty products, combined with our automation services, allows us to meet and exceed even the most demanding customer requirements. Below we provide an overview of the actuated valve accessories we offer.
Valve Communication Terminals (VCTs)
Valve communication terminals (VCTs) are key to valve automation applications. These electronic assemblies enable industry professionals to maintain careful control over valve operations by utilizing integrated measuring, monitoring, and positioning devices (e.g., position sensors and output controllers) to determine current system conditions and adjust operating parameters accordingly.
We offer several VCT products from StoneL™, all of which feature a fully sealed, solid-state, and modular design. They are available in C-Module (for use with the AXIOM platform) and Dual-Module (for use with ECLIPSE, PRISM, and QUARTZ platforms) configurations.
DeviceNet VCTs
DeviceNet VCTs rely on the DeviceNet protocol, which is based on the controller area network (CAN) technology commonly used in the automotive industry. They interface with a variety of popular PCs and PLCs, such as Allen Bradley and GE Fanuc. Additionally, they can be used to integrate up to 62 simple discrete or complex analog devices on a single four-wire trunk network, which can cut installation costs by up to and exceeding 30%. Their reliability makes them well-suited for mission-critical applications (e.g., airbags and anti-lock brakes), while their noise immunity makes them suitable for industrial and process environments.
AS-Interface VCTs
AS-Interface VCTs utilize the Actuator Sensor Interface (AS-Interface) protocol, which is widely used for discrete apparatus and analog input applications. The network’s simplicity and reliability make it suitable for general and demanding process environments. These terminals can gateway directly into Modbus/Modbus+, PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, and Ethernet networks. We also offer a variation of this product with extended addressing capabilities.
Foundation Fieldbus VCTs (Bus-Powered or Externally Powered)
These VCTs employ the Foundation Fieldbus™ protocol, which was designed for use in the process industries. The protocol offers multi-drop capabilities, long trunk lengths, and full compatibility with intrinsic safety circuits. It also features a unique user layer with Device Description (DD) and communication blocks that allows the host device to keep track of the capabilities of other devices on the network.
Valve Communication Platforms
We offer a variety of StoneL valve communication platforms:
- Axiom valve communication platforms are suitable for quarter-turn pneumatically actuated valves. Their advanced analog sensing technology allows them to provide discrete monitoring, communication terminal interfacing, discrete pneumatic control, diagnostic capabilities. They are suitable for general and extreme environments.
- Eclipse valve communication platforms are utilized for quarter-turn pneumatically actuated valves. Their capabilities include discrete monitoring and communication terminal interfacing. They are available in general and hazardous area variations.
- Quartz valve communication platforms are used for quarter-turn pneumatically or manually actuated valves, positioner mounted valves, and linear globe or gate valves. They feature a dual-module system design and robust construction. The latter quality makes them suitable for harsh environments (e.g., exposure to corrosive compounds).
- Prism valve communication platforms are generally employed for linear diaphragm or angle valves. They offer capabilities for discrete monitoring, communication terminal interfacing, and discrete pneumatic control. Variations with intrinsically safe and non-incendive ratings are available.
- Hawkeye valve communication platforms are typically used for linear or globe valves. They utilize single switch/sensor technology for discrete monitoring operations.
Contact the Valve Experts at Erdmann Corp Today
At Erdmann Corp., we specialize in industrial valve distribution and automation. For additional information about our valve actuation products and services, contact us today.
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