CP & CX Dale Valve Series Manifolds Multi Station Valves Manifolds

Product Overview

The ROSS Controls CP and CX Valve Series, are factory-assembled multi-station valve manifold systems that consolidate 2 to 10 solenoid pilot directional control valves onto a single inline manifold body. Built on ROSS's Dale Series poppet platform, these assemblies eliminate individual valve mounting hardware and distributed pneumatic plumbing, replacing them with a common manifold block that integrates supply, work port, and exhaust passages for every station.

The CP Series targets general industrial applications requiring internal or external pilot supply, with an operating pressure range of 30 to 145 psig (2 to 10 bar). Port sizes span 1/2 through 2-1/2 inch, covering low-flow solenoid pilot applications up to high-flow actuator circuits with Cv values reaching 108. Both 2/2 and 3/2 valve functions are available in normally closed and normally open configurations, providing circuit designers with the flexibility to handle isolation, direction, and exhaust control from a single manifold assembly.

The CX Series is purpose-configured for leak-tight, low-pressure, and vacuum applications, using external pilot supply exclusively to maintain true zero-leakage shutoff at the work port. The CX valve operates across the full pressure range from hard vacuum to 145 psig (10 bar) on most port sizes, and up to 250 psig (17.2 bar) on the 1/4-inch port variant. Manifold assemblies for both series are available with NPT or BSPP (G) thread connections and ship as complete, pre-assembled, tested units ready for direct installation.

Both CP and CX manifolds share the same poppet cartridge construction, perpendicular face seal geometry, dual-piston shift mechanism, and self-compensating seal design that defines ROSS's Dale Series platform. This commonality simplifies spare parts stocking and allows field-level cartridge replacement with minimal downtime. DIN EN 175301-803 Form A and Form C electrical connectors with integrated indicator lights are standard, supporting rapid solenoid troubleshooting during production without test instruments.

Key Engineering Features

• Multi-Station Manifold Integration - Factory-assembled manifold blocks consolidate 2 to 10 solenoid pilot valve stations, eliminating individual mounting hardware, distributed tubing runs, and per-valve fittings that increase leak points and assembly labor.
• Poppet Cartridge Construction - Perpendicular face seal geometry produces a high-flow path through the poppet seat with positive shutoff, eliminating the internal bypass losses inherent in spool-type manifold designs and maintaining zero leakage at the work port in the de-energized state.
• Dual Piston Shift Mechanism - Consistent shifting force is generated by a dual-piston actuator throughout the life of the valve, preventing hesitation or partial shifts in dirty, humid, or cold environments where solenoid pilot valves commonly experience reduced pilot pressure margins.
• Self-Compensating Seals - The seal cartridge automatically adjusts stroke as seal material wears, maintaining sealing force and flow performance across millions of cycles without requiring seal preload adjustment or valve disassembly.
• Self-Cleaning High-Velocity Flow Path - High-velocity air across the poppet seat purges particulate contamination from sealing surfaces during normal operation, sustaining reliability in environments with inadequate filtration, condensate carryover, or debris returned from cylinder circuits.
• CP Series: Internal/External Pilot Convertible - CP Series valves accept internal pilot supply from the main line at pressures of 30 psig and above, with field conversion to external pilot by removing the pipe plug from port X-1 and connecting a dedicated pilot supply, enabling use in low-pressure or vacuum work-port circuits.
• CX Series: External Pilot for Leak-Tight and Vacuum Service - CX Series valves operate exclusively on external pilot supply, preserving true zero leakage at the work port regardless of inlet conditions. The 1/4-inch port variant supports pilot pressures up to 250 psig (17.2 bar) for applications exceeding standard inline pilot supply ranges.
• Poppet Cartridge Replaces in Minutes - The poppet cartridge assembly extracts from the manifold body without special tooling and installs as a single-piece replacement unit, reducing station repair time to under five minutes and eliminating the need to remove the manifold from the machine.
• Life-Tested to 20 Million Cycles - The CX Series valve design is validated to 20 million cycles in ROSS's life test program, establishing a quantified service life for maintenance planning and total cost-of-ownership calculations in high-cycle automation applications.
• DIN EN 175301-803 Connectors with Indicator Lights - Form A and Form C quick-disconnect coil connectors include integrated solenoid energization indicator lights for immediate field identification of energized stations during troubleshooting, reducing diagnostic time without instruments.
• Non-Locking Manual Override - Every solenoid pilot station includes a non-locking manual override button for commissioning, functional testing, and actuator positioning during maintenance without requiring electrical power.
• Bi-Directional Flow Capability - The CX Series poppet design supports pressure or vacuum on any port at any time, enabling use in regenerative cylinder circuits, differential pressure sensing configurations, and dual-pressure systems that require bi-directional flow paths.
• CAD Model Downloads Available - Three-dimensional CAD models in all major formats including PDF 3D, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer Neutral, Solid Edge, Revit, SketchUp, PLY, PRC, and PNG are available for all CP and CX manifold variants to accelerate machine design integration.

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

Temperature Ratings

Temperature ratings apply to both CP and CX Series manifold assemblies. Seal material is Buna-N standard.

Important: For applications with media temperatures approaching 175 F (80 C), verify that solenoid coil ambient ratings are not exceeded by heat soak from adjacent hot process components.

Electrical Data (Solenoid Pilot Valves)

All solenoid coils are rated for continuous duty. IP65 enclosure rating per IEC 60529 applies to the solenoid assembly.

Electrical Connection Options

Flow Performance Data

Flow performance data for CP Series solenoid pilot manifolds. Cv values shown are averages; manifold configuration may affect individual station Cv by less than 5% versus single valve values.

Certifications & Compliance

Typical Applications & Industries

Packaging Machinery and Material Handling

• Form-fill-seal machines, cartoners, case packers, and palletizers where multiple pneumatic actuators require coordinated control from a centralized manifold, reducing system wiring and tubing complexity at the machine frame.
• Vacuum cup pick-and-place systems using CX Series manifolds to switch vacuum to multiple gripper zones simultaneously, exploiting the bi-directional flow capability and zero-leakage shutoff to hold vacuum at the cup without continuous pump load.
• Conveyor diverters, sorting gates, and transfer lifts where 3/2 spring-return stations provide fail-safe return of pneumatic actuators on power loss or emergency stop.
• Bottle filling lines and capping equipment requiring synchronized actuation of multiple cylinders with consistent cycle times supported by the dual-piston consistent-shifting mechanism.

Process Valve Pilot Control

• Pilot supply for butterfly valves, knife gate valves, ball valves, mixing valves, and diverter valves in water treatment, HVAC, food processing, and chemical handling operations, with CX Series manifolds providing independent external pilot supply to prevent work-port leakage from affecting process fluid isolation.
• Multi-zone process control skids where a single CP or CX manifold assembly replaces distributed valve mounting panels, reducing the installed footprint and the number of supply line connections that require maintenance.
• Pneumatic actuator pilot control in oil and gas processing, where the CX Series leak-tight construction eliminates seat leakage across de-energized stations, ensuring process isolation integrity during normal operation.
• Clean-in-place (CIP) and sanitary process valve automation for food and beverage production, where the poppet construction's self-cleaning characteristic reduces the risk of contamination carryover between product batches.

Automotive and Assembly Manufacturing

• Body-in-white fixture controls, clamping cylinders, and part-transfer automation where CP Series 3/2 spring-return manifolds provide fail-safe clamp release on E-stop, meeting safety circuit requirements for automated workholding systems.
• Leak testing and flow testing fixtures requiring CX Series manifolds to selectively pressurize or evacuate individual test ports with positive shutoff, using the bi-directional pressure-controlled variant for differential pressure test configurations.
• Paint booth damper controls and spray gun actuation manifolds where multiple 2/2 stations provide independent zone control with fast response times from the dual-piston actuator.
• Assembly line pneumatic tool circuits and transfer press lubrication systems where the high Cv capability of the CP Series 1" and 2-1/2" port manifolds sustains tool performance under high-duty-cycle conditions.

Plastic and Rubber Processing

• Vacuum forming and thermoforming equipment using CX Series 1/4" port manifolds for precisely timed vacuum application to forming cavities, exploiting the 250 psig pilot supply capability to maintain fast actuation at elevated supply pressures.
• Injection mold and blow mold pneumatic core pull circuits where CP Series 2/2 normally closed manifolds provide fail-safe mold protection by defaulting to a closed position when pilot air is lost.
• Extrusion line trim and divert actuators where the compact manifold footprint allows installation in confined machine frame locations without per-valve mounting brackets.
• Hot runner temperature control air purge systems and cooling circuit manifolds where the CP Series 3/2 configuration provides supply and exhaust control from a single station.

Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing

• Clean room pneumatic handling systems using CX Series manifolds, where the leak-tight poppet construction prevents uncontrolled compressed air release that would disturb laminar airflow or introduce particles into process zones.
• Wafer handling, die bonding, and component placement vacuum systems where multiple CX stations independently control vacuum zones at wafer chucks, transfer arms, and pick-and-place end-effectors.
• Test handler pressurization and vacuum circuits requiring deterministic response times supported by the consistent dual-piston shift mechanism and self-cleaning poppet seats.
• PCB assembly equipment for selective solder wave control, component insertion actuators, and conveyor finger mechanisms where compact manifold assemblies minimize machine frame intrusion.

Ordering and Model Number Configuration

CP and CX valve manifold assemblies use a structured model number that encodes series, function, pilot type, application, port size, number of stations, voltage, and connection type. The example below decodes a standard CP Series 3/2 NC manifold.

Replace the X in manifold model numbers with the desired number of stations (2 through 10). For 1-station assemblies, contact ROSS Controls directly.

Voltage codes: W = 24 VDC; Z = 110/120 VAC (50/60 Hz). Insert the voltage code in the appropriate position of the model number.

For BSPP (G) threads, replace 'N' with 'D' in the thread type position of the model number (example: CP34DB47114W for a BSPP 3/2 NC manifold).

CX Series solenoid pilot manifolds use a pilot type code of 5 in the model number; pressure-controlled CX manifolds use code 0.

For mixed-function manifolds with different valve functions at individual stations, use the manifold configurator tool or contact ROSS Controls application engineering (1-888-TEK-ROSS) with your station-by-station requirements.

Pre-assembled, factory-tested manifold assemblies ship as complete units. Confirm station count, port size, thread type, voltage, and connection type before ordering to avoid non-standard reconfiguration costs.

CP Series Sample Model Numbers - 3/2 NC Manifold

CP Series Sample Model Numbers - 2/2 NC Manifold

CX Series Sample Model Numbers - Solenoid Pilot (External) Manifold

Accessories

Lighted DIN Electrical Connectors

ROSS offers lighted DIN EN 175301-803 Form A and Form C connectors that provide visual solenoid-energized indication for each station without additional wiring. Connector models vary by port size group: for 1/4" through 1" port sizes, use 2453K77-W (24 VDC) or 2453K77-Z (120 VAC) for standalone lighted connectors, and 2476K77-W (24 VDC) or 2476K77-Z (120 VAC) for prewired assemblies. For 1-1/2" through 2-1/2" port sizes, use 936K87-W or 936K87-Z (standalone) and 720K77-W or 720K77-Z (prewired).

Air Filtration and Preparation

Filtered compressed air is required for reliable CP and CX manifold operation. ROSS recommends 5-micron particulate filtration upstream of all manifold assemblies. For CX Series leak-tight and vacuum applications, coalescing filtration to remove aerosol oil mist prevents contamination of poppet seats and is strongly recommended. ROSS offers a range of modular FRL (filter-regulator-lubricator) assemblies compatible with all CP and CX manifold supply connections.

Related Products & Accessories

• Dale CX Single Valves - Individual inline poppet valve stations from the same Dale Series platform as the CX manifold, for applications requiring single-station leak-tight or vacuum control. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/253-cp-cx-valve-series
• Dale LX Series Valves and Manifolds - LX Series inline poppet directional control valves for low-pressure and vacuum applications, part of the Dale Series platform sharing CP and CX spare parts. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/documents/6382/dale-cx-lx-lt-series-valves-manifolds
• Dale LT Series Leak Test Manifolds - Purpose-engineered 3/4 valve manifolds with integrated sensor ports for flow testing, pressure decay testing, and differential pressure testing without additional components. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/documents/6382/dale-cx-lx-lt-series-valves-manifolds
• Pack Series Multi-Station Manifolds (Series 254) - Compact, high-density manifold assemblies for pilot control of butterfly valves, knife gate valves, and other process valves, with individual station shut-off and up to 16 stations. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/254-pack-series
• 21 Series Inline Poppet Valves - Inline poppet directional control valves for standard and extreme temperature applications (SIL 2 certified), complementing manifold-mounted CP and CX installations where standalone valve control is required. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/231-low-high-temperatures-classic-21-series
• Exhaust Silencers - Aluminum silencers for manifold exhaust port noise reduction, rated to 290 psig, compatible with 1/2" through 1-1/2" exhaust connections. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/90-silencers
• Electrical Connectors - DIN EN 175301-803 Form A and Form C connectors, prewired assemblies, and lighted indicators for all ROSS solenoid valve series. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/91-electrical-connectors
• Lockout Valves (L-O-X Series) - Energy isolation lockout valves for safe shutdown and maintenance lockout of pneumatic systems supplying CP and CX manifold assemblies, per OSHA lockout/tagout requirements. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/1287-lockout-valves-15-series

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between the CP and CX Series valve manifolds?

A: The CP Series uses internal or external pilot supply and is rated for standard pressure applications of 30 to 145 psig inlet. It is the general-purpose option for most pneumatic actuator circuits. The CX Series uses external pilot supply only and is configured for leak-tight, low-pressure, and vacuum applications. The CX Series maintains true zero leakage at the work port because the pilot circuit is independent of the inlet, and the 1/4-inch port CX variant supports inlet pressures up to 250 psig. Select CX when the application requires positive shutoff at vacuum or when the work-port pressure will be below 30 psig during normal operation.

Q: How many stations can be configured on a single manifold?

A: Standard catalog manifold assemblies are available in configurations from 2 to 10 stations. For single-station assemblies, contact ROSS Controls directly. Configurations beyond 10 stations may be available as custom orders; contact ROSS application engineering at 1-888-TEK-ROSS with your specific station count and function requirements.

Q: Can individual stations have different valve functions on the same manifold?

A: Yes, mixed-function manifolds are available. When stations on the same manifold require different valve functions (for example, a combination of 2/2 NC and 3/2 NC stations), use the ROSS manifold configurator tool or contact ROSS Controls application engineering directly. Standard catalog model numbers represent same-function assemblies; mixed configurations require a custom order.

Q: What minimum pilot pressure is required for CP Series manifolds?

A: CP Series manifolds require a minimum pilot pressure of 30 psig (2 bar) for all port sizes. The pilot pressure must also equal or exceed the inlet pressure. For applications where inlet pressure will be below 30 psig, use external pilot supply sourced from a higher-pressure auxiliary line, or specify a CX Series valve which has a separate external pilot supply circuit.

Q: How is the CP Series field-converted from internal to external pilot?

A: Remove the pipe plug from pilot port X-1 on the manifold body and connect a dedicated external pilot supply line at that port. The internal pilot passage will still be present but unpressurized; ensure that the external pilot source is maintained throughout the operating cycle. Contact ROSS Controls for the updated model number documentation after field conversion to maintain accurate equipment records.

Q: What is the maximum Cv available in a CP or CX manifold assembly?

A: The maximum average Cv is 108, achieved with the 2-1/2-inch port configuration (port size codes 97 and 07) in both CP and CX 2/2 configurations. This Cv value applies to individual stations on the manifold. Total manifold flow capacity depends on the common supply and exhaust passage sizing, which is dimensioned to support simultaneous actuation of all stations at rated conditions.

Q: Are NPT and BSPP (G) thread configurations both available?

A: Yes. Standard catalog manifolds ship with NPT threads. To order with BSPP (G) threads, replace the 'N' thread code in the model number with 'D'. For example, CP14NB4711XW becomes CP14DB4711XW for G threads. This applies to both work ports on individual valve stations and to the manifold supply and exhaust connections.

Q: What electrical connectors are compatible with CP and CX manifold solenoids?

A: All solenoid pilot stations use DIN EN 175301-803 Form A or Form C connections. Lighted connectors (providing visual solenoid energization indication) are available in 24 VDC and 120 VAC variants. Model numbers are 2453K77-W (24V DC, standalone, 1/4" to 1" port) and 936K87-W (24V DC, standalone, 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" port). Prewired assemblies are available using models 2476K77-W and 720K77-W. Contact ROSS for complete connector selection by valve port size and voltage.

Q: How long does the poppet cartridge replacement take?

A: The CX Series poppet cartridge is designed to be replaced in under five minutes. The cartridge extracts from the manifold body without special tooling as a single-piece assembly. This allows in-place station repair without removing the manifold from the machine or disconnecting supply and exhaust plumbing to adjacent stations.

Q: What life cycle rating is published for these manifolds?

A: The CX Series valve is life-tested to 20 million cycles. This figure applies to the poppet cartridge assembly under rated conditions. No published cycle life is specified for the CP Series, but the shared Dale Series poppet platform construction is consistent between models. For high-cycle applications exceeding 20 million cycles per year, schedule poppet cartridge inspection at the 20 million cycle interval and replace if sealing performance has degraded.

Q: Can CX Series manifolds be used with vacuum supply to the inlet port?

A: Yes. The CX Series is specifically rated for vacuum at the inlet. For 1/2" through 2-1/2" port sizes, the inlet range extends from full vacuum to 145 psig. The 1/4" port variant extends from vacuum to 250 psig. External pilot supply must be maintained at 30 psig minimum (50 psig for 3/2 configurations) and must equal or exceed the inlet pressure. When inlet is at vacuum, the pilot pressure minimum still applies to the pilot supply line.

Q: Are 3D CAD models available for machine design integration?

A: Yes. ROSS provides downloadable 3D CAD models for CP and CX manifold assemblies in a wide range of formats including PDF 3D, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer Neutral, Solid Edge, Revit, SketchUp, PLY, PRC, and PNG. CAD models are available through the individual series variant pages on the ROSS Controls website at rosscontrols.com. Using CAD models during machine design prevents interference issues and ensures accurate port location layout for supply and work-port plumbing.

Q: What is the expected lead time for standard CP/CX manifold configurations?

A: Standard manufacturing lead times for quantities of 10 or fewer units are typically 3 to 4 weeks from order placement, with shipping available throughout the United States. Mixed-function manifold assemblies and custom configurations may require additional lead time. Contact ROSS Controls customer service at 1-800-GET-ROSS for current lead times on specific configurations.

Installation & Maintenance Guidelines

• Mount manifold assemblies on a rigid, vibration-dampened surface using the through-hole mounting pattern provided. Manifold bodies are cast aluminum and will develop stress cracks if mounted on a flexing or thermally cycling surface without appropriate isolation hardware.
• Supply filtered, dry compressed air to all CP and CX manifold assemblies. Use a minimum of 5-micron particulate filtration upstream of the manifold supply connection. For CX Series leak-tight and vacuum applications, add coalescing filtration rated to 0.01 micron to remove aerosol oil mist that can contaminate poppet seat surfaces.
• For CP Series internal pilot operation, verify that inlet pressure is at or above 30 psig (2 bar) throughout the full operating cycle, including transient pressure drops caused by rapid actuator filling at adjacent stations. Pilot pressure below 30 psig will cause incomplete or erratic valve shifting.
• For CX Series external pilot supply, route the pilot supply line from a source that maintains 30 to 145 psig (50 to 145 psig for 3/2 configurations) independent of the work-port inlet pressure. Never use the same supply source as the work-port inlet for external pilot if the work-port pressure will drop below the pilot minimum during operation.
• Ensure pilot pressure equals or exceeds inlet pressure for all CP and CX manifold stations at all operating conditions. Reversing this relationship (pilot below inlet) can cause failure to shift or uncontrolled pilot leakage.
• Torque all pipe thread connections using the appropriate wrench on the fitting hex, not on the manifold body. Applying torque through the valve body can crack cast aluminum manifold blocks or distort internal passages. Use PTFE tape or approved thread sealant on all NPT connections.
• Install the manifold with the solenoid coil connector side accessible for periodic inspection and coil replacement. Confirm minimum clearance of 2 inches (50 mm) above the solenoid enclosures for connector access and indicator light visibility during operation.
• For vacuum applications, verify that all supply and work-port connections are leak-free before applying vacuum to the system. Even minor thread leaks will degrade vacuum level performance. Apply vacuum to the system gradually and monitor for pressure rise that would indicate fitting or connection leakage.
• Operate all solenoid stations through at least 10 complete energize and de-energize cycles after initial installation to seat the poppet cartridges, equalize internal lubricant distribution, and verify that all stations shift fully in both directions before commissioning the manifold into production.
• When converting a CP Series manifold from internal to external pilot supply, install a check valve in the external pilot supply line if there is any possibility of reverse flow from the manifold back through the pilot supply circuit. This prevents unintended backfilling of the pilot supply from the main line during certain circuit configurations.
• Label each manifold station with the actuator it controls and the corresponding PLC output address before final installation. Multi-station manifolds are difficult to troubleshoot after installation if station assignments are not documented and marked at the manifold.
• Do not exceed the published ambient temperature limits of 120 F (50 C) at the solenoid coil surface. In installations near hot process equipment or within enclosed panels, verify coil surface temperature with a thermocouple during steady-state operation. Excessive coil temperature will shorten solenoid service life.
• Verify that all manifold exhaust ports are either piped to a safe discharge location or fitted with exhaust silencers rated for the maximum manifold flow. Unrestricted exhaust port discharge into enclosed panels or in proximity to personnel presents noise and contamination hazards. Contaminated exhaust silencers create backpressure that impairs valve performance.
• For manifolds with 10 stations at large port sizes (1" and above), calculate the total simultaneous flow demand against the manifold supply port size to confirm that supply pressure at the manifold inlet remains within operating range during worst-case simultaneous actuation. Undersized supply lines are the most common cause of erratic multi-station manifold performance.

Warranty & Global Support

ROSS Controls provides a one-year warranty on all CP and CX valve manifold assemblies, covering defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase under normal operating conditions.

Technical service for CP and CX manifold applications is available at 1-888-TEK-ROSS. Customer service for ordering, pricing, and delivery is available at 1-800-GET-ROSS.

ROSS Controls maintains global technical support through offices in the USA (headquarters in Ferndale, Michigan), Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, United Kingdom, India, China, and Japan.

For complete dimensional drawings, flow performance curves, pressure drop data, and manifold configurator access, visit the ROSS Controls product page at rosscontrols.com/en/series/253-cp-cx-valve-series or contact your local ROSS distributor.

Product Catalog - Dale CX-LX-LT Series Valves & Manifolds: https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/documents/6382/dale-cx-lx-lt-series-valves-manifolds

Product Catalog - Dale CP-LF Series Valves & Manifolds: https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/documents/6381/dale-cp-lf-series-valves-manifolds