Advanced Poppet Valve Technology for Vacuum Applications

ROSS vacuum valves feature innovative poppet construction engineered specifically for vacuum service environments where traditional valve designs struggle. The poppet design delivers exceptional dirt tolerance and self-cleaning capabilities, making these valves ideal for harsh industrial conditions in manufacturing, packaging, material handling, and testing applications.    

Unlike conventional valve designs, ROSS vacuum valves incorporate larger orifices that enable greater flow capacity despite the small pressure differential between internal vacuum and external atmospheric pressure. This engineering advantage translates to faster cycle times, improved productivity, and enhanced energy efficiency across vacuum lifting, holding, packaging, and leak testing operations.  

Comprehensive Valve Configurations

The catalog details three distinct actuation options to match specific application requirements:

Solenoid Pilot Controlled Valves - Electrically actuated valves offering precise, automated control with 24V DC, 110-120V AC, or 230-240V AC solenoid options. Available in 2/2 (normally closed or normally open) and 3/2 configurations with flow ratings up to 71 Cv (70,000 Nl/min). Response times are optimized through innovative internal piloting, with average constants ranging from M=10 to M=28 milliseconds depending on valve body size. 

Full Vacuum Valves - Specialized 3/2 valves designed for applications where compressed air is unavailable. These valves utilize the differential force between atmospheric pressure (port 1) and vacuum (10-30 inches Mercury in the valve body) for actuation, eliminating the need for external compressed air sources. This unique capability makes them ideal for cleanroom environments, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other applications where introducing compressed air is undesirable. 

Pressure Controlled Valves - Pneumatically actuated options providing reliable operation in environments where electrical control is impractical or hazardous. Available in 2/2 and 3/2 configurations with the same robust poppet internals as solenoid models, offering maximum flexibility for system integration. 

Superior Performance Characteristics

Every valve in the 21 Series Classic lineup delivers measurable performance advantages:

High Velocity & Near-Zero Leakage - Precision-machined poppet design ensures positive sealing without sliding wear components, maintaining consistent sealing performance throughout the valve's operational life. Fluorocarbon seals provide chemical resistance and temperature stability from -40°F to 175°F (-40°C to 80°C). 

Reliable, Repeatable Operation - ROSS valves maintain consistent response times and flow characteristics over millions of cycles. The poppet construction eliminates wear-prone sliding seals, while carefully calculated surface areas on inlet, exhaust, and piston poppets generate strong shifting and sealing forces in both directions.  

Versatile Mounting Options - Inline body design allows mounting directly at the point of use, minimizing piping runs and reducing system volume for faster evacuation and pressurization. Valves can be mounted in any orientation, with vertical mounting preferred for optimal performance. 

Field-Convertible Pilot Supply - Standard valves ship with internal pilot supply configuration but can be easily field-converted to external pilot supply operation for applications requiring independent pilot air sources. This flexibility reduces inventory requirements and simplifies system modifications. 

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Certified

ROSS 21 Series vacuum valves are certified by TÜV Rheinland to IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 safety standards, achieving SIL 2 in singular applications and SIL 3 in redundant configurations. This certification, combined with EN ISO 13849-1 PL c (singular) and PL e (redundant) performance levels, makes these valves suitable for safety-critical vacuum applications in automated manufacturing, robotics, and machine guarding systems.  

Wide Operating Range & Materials

The catalog documents operating specifications suitable for diverse industrial environments:

• Operating Pressure: Vacuum to 150 psig (Vacuum to 10 bar) 
• Temperature Range: Ambient -40°F to 120°F (-40°C to 50°C) for solenoid models; -40°F to 175°F (-40°C to 80°C) for pressure-controlled valves 
• Construction Materials: Cast aluminum bodies, aluminum and stainless steel poppets, fluorocarbon seals for long-term reliability and chemical compatibility 
• Flow Media: Vacuum and/or filtered compressed air 

Extensive Application Coverage

This catalog serves engineers and procurement professionals specifying vacuum systems for:

• Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing - Wafer handling, vacuum chuck control, cleanroom material transport   
• Packaging & Material Handling - Vacuum pick-and-place, carton forming, palletizing automation  
• Automotive & Assembly - Part positioning, leak testing, robotic end-effector control 
• Food & Beverage - Vacuum packaging, product transfer, sanitary processing 
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Device - Aseptic filling, tablet handling, containment systems  
• Molded Pulp & Paper - Vacuum forming, web handling, converting equipment 
• Industrial Testing - Leak detection, pressure decay testing, quality control systems  

Complete Technical Documentation

The 19-page catalog includes:

• Detailed valve feature descriptions and benefits 
• Application-specific piping diagrams for 2/2 NC, 2/2 NO, 3/2 NC, and 3/2 NO configurations 
• Comprehensive dimensional drawings with mounting dimensions in inches and millimeters 
• Complete model number ordering information with NPT and G thread options 
• Flow capacity data (Cv and Nl/min) for all valve sizes 
• Response time calculation formulas with M and F constants for system sizing 
• Electrical specifications for DC and AC solenoid options 
• Accessory selection guide including silencers, indicator lights, and manual override kits 
• Installation, maintenance, and safety warnings aligned with OSHA and international standards 

Accessories & Customization Options

ROSS offers extensive accessories to optimize valve installation and operation:

Exhaust Silencers - Aluminum construction with flow ratings from 6.8 Cv to 104 Cv (6,700-100,000 Nl/min) in 1/2" through 2-1/2" port sizes. Pressure-rated to 290 psig (20 bar) for versatile application use. 

Indicator Light Kits - Available for 24V DC, 110-120V AC, and 230V AC to visually verify solenoid energization status, simplifying troubleshooting and reducing diagnostic time. 

Manual Override Options - Flush button, extended button, and extended button with palm actuator configurations allow manual valve testing and emergency operation. Standard non-locking metal button overrides are included; locking and ergonomic palm options available separately. 

Industry-Leading Warranty & Support

ROSS backs the 21 Series Classic valves with a comprehensive one-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. With global manufacturing and support locations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, ROSS provides responsive technical assistance, rapid replacement parts availability, and application engineering support.    

Why Choose ROSS Vacuum Valves?

Since pioneering poppet valve technology for industrial automation, ROSS Controls has continuously advanced vacuum control solutions to meet evolving industry demands. The 21 Series Classic valves embody decades of engineering expertise, incorporating customer feedback and field-proven performance enhancements to deliver:  

• Faster cycle times through high-flow poppet design  
• Lower total cost of ownership via extended service life and minimal maintenance 
• Enhanced safety with SIL-certified performance and fail-safe operation 
• Flexible integration supporting diverse mounting, actuation, and control options  
• Global availability with local support and rapid delivery  

Optimize Your Vacuum System Design

Download this comprehensive catalog to access complete technical specifications, selection tables, and dimensional data for the ROSS 21 Series Classic Directional Control Vacuum Valves. Whether designing new equipment or upgrading existing systems, this resource provides the detailed information needed to specify optimal vacuum valve solutions for your application requirements.

Technical Support & Application Assistance

ROSS application engineers are available to assist with valve selection, system design, and troubleshooting. Contact ROSS Controls at (800) GET-ROSS (800-438-7677) or visit rosscontrols.com for additional product information, CAD models, and local distributor locations.