Two-stage 150/160 Series Soft-start Bellows Vacuum Isolation Valves achieve a soft pump down and vacuum system isolation in one common housing. A small bypass valve is integrated into the main isolation valve, simplifying setup and reducing costs. With the integrated soft pump down feature, turbulent flow is diminished preventing contamination buildup and damage.
Please see the Two-stage Soft Start Valve datasheet for available product options.
The Two-Stage Valve is specifically to accommodate space constraints and soft start the system in two steps. In the first stage, the bypass valve allows slow pumping from atmospheric pressure to a userspecified vacuum pressure. In the second stage, the main valve opens, allowing use of full pumping speed. The Two-Stage Valve features a removable small orifice within the bypass valve to vary slow pump speeds. A normally closed, pneumatically actuated valve at both stages, the TwoStage Valve is offered with an optional thumbscrew or micrometer head for the bypass valve. This allows for flow adjustment by limiting the stroke.
The body is made of high grade, corrosion resistant, 304 stainless steel using clean, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding for significantly fewer entrapment areas, resulting in less contaminant build-up. A formed 321 stainless steel bellows, not edge-welded, prevents outgassing, virtual leaks, and particle entrapment between bellows convolutions and extends the valve’s cycle life. The bellows stroke length is optimized to ensure a longer cycle life while maintaining a high conductance. Elastomer seal choices include Viton® and Chemraz®, which has a higher chemical resistance. Vacuum exposed parts are clean and free of lubricants.
To achieve a soft pumpdown and isolate your vacuum system, MKS recommends its Two-Stage Valve. It integrates a small bypass valve into an isolation valve, significantly simplifying system setup and reducing costs.
The Two-Stage Valve is best suited for high vacuum applications, specifically semiconductor or optical processing for which a cleaner environment is necessary. With the integrated slow pumpdown feature, turbulent flow is diminished preventing contamination buildup and damage to your product.