Manifolds

These structures are used when the valve count is minimal and the flow paths are straightforward. Drilled passages enable you to locate valves as desired, with some limitations because the drilled passages must be straight and superfluous construction passageways must be plugged. Integrating miniature valves into a common fluid manifold using conventional cross-drilled machining is a major step in the direction of simplifying otherwise complex valve and fluid passage configurations that once required numerous tubes from point to point.

Like their namesake, ant farm manifolds involve machining a series of intricate flow paths or channels into the face of the manifold. After the machining operation, a plate is bonded over the flow passages to complete the circuit. In complex applications, the channels can be milled into more than one face of the manifold block. This manifold machining technique further reduces the overall manifold size compared to the other technologies.

These assemblies use Lee injection valves to minimize the fluid between the valve seat and the flow stream. This, in turn, minimizes carry-over volumes. Staggering the valves on a multi-face manifold allows closer spacing and further reduces the length and volume of the main flow passage.