2014 clearly belongs to PONAR!

To begin with, the 4-way sectional directional control valves type 4/3 UREM6 for mobile applications and their proportional versions 4/3WREM6 were introduced into serial production. For this type of directional valves, and also the other types (like WE6, WE10, USAB6, etc.) new, unified versions (with additional lever installed between the body and electromagnet) and accessories (stroke adjustment, blocking switches and manual override buttons) were developed.

All of the above solutions combined with the new types of electrical connections (AMP Junior and DEUTSCH) led to increasing interest in already offered types of valves. It is important to mention introduction into serial production directional valves WE6 and WE10 with electromagnets powered with alternating current 230V-50Hz, which were inspected for compliance with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and confirmed by the voluntary WE certificate.

This year, one of the main issues in terms of development was the revitalization of cartridge equipment for sizes 6 and 10. Within the scope of this issue, a unification of details and adjustments was carried out. New versions for ports compliant with UNF were introduced, and what is really important, the maximum of working pressure was increased from 31,5 to 35 MPa (for electromagnets accordingly – from 21 to 25 MPa).

This group of products was supplied with the following types of valves:

• Accumulator valve UZOD10
• Throttle/check valve UDZD10
• Pressure reducing valve UZRS10
• Counterbalance valve UZPHD4

Within the area of standard hydraulics a modernization of the throttle/check valves type Z2FS16 and Z2FS22 was commenced to improve the parameters and to lower production costs. Another interesting product, a 3- or 4-way directional valve UREZ6 was launched into production. New versions of hydraulically controlled valves WHG6 (ports X, Y threaded) and WHP6 (ports X, Y subplate) with much lower production costs that the standard WH6 valve.

In the logic valves, new variations of the valves and control subplates (e.g. for controlling the pressure, versions with monitoring the position of spool) are continuously introduced. Modernization of the 32 size was also commenced to lower costs of production and to provide new possibilities of introducing new versions (e.g. normally open).

In the area of electrical elements, a ECI9D control card, DIN format, to control the sensor of spool position in proportional valves type USEB6,10 was introduced. Soon another electronic controller 30RE21D is expected, which together with the previously mentioned card will be used to control the USEB directional valves, to provide a feedback loop through the spool position sensor.

One of the major steps in development of standard and proportional hydraulics was launching into production new body of the WE10 and USAB/USEB10 valves, designed for working pressures up to 35 MPa. The valve bodies were designed with utilizing an innovative method and latest computer software, developed together with Krakow University of Technology.

Within the scope of the EU project for Promotion of Mining Machinery and Equipment, in which PONAR Wadowice was actively participating, our R&D Department introduced a certification process for the existing and developed intrinsically safe products, compliant with the norms:

• Ukrainian MakNII (directional valves 3IREH2, IWE6 and proportional valve IWZCDE4)
• GOST-R for countries of the Trade Union: Russia, Belarus i Kazakhstan (directional valves 3IREH2, IWE6)
• ATEX : EU countries (directional valves 2IRES10 and proportional valve IWZCDE4)

The newly introduced products of PONAR Wadowice received numerous awards:

• NIS Product of the Year for the 6/2UREM6, designed for mobile machine market
• Two medals during the HaPeS fair, for:
• Directional control valves with monitoring the position of spool: WE6,10/WEH16,22...M, designed to improve safety of production equipment.
• and IWZCDE4 intented for indirect control of intrinsically safe valves for areas exposed to a risk of explosion.