Hydraulic Valve Cutaway Example

thingiverse

Rudimentary Hydraulic Directional Control Valve Example Created for Hydraulic Training as an Alternative to $1100 Professional Cutaway Valves. This model is a three-position, four-way, open-center directional control valve with spring return-to-center. At the center position, the P (pump) port connects to both the A and B (work) ports. When moved to the right, the P port connects to the A port, while the B port dumps into the T (tank). Conversely, when moved to the left, the P port connects to the B port, with the A port dumping into the T (tank). Two small compression springs from Harbor Freight are employed to center the spool. The spool is printed vertically, and the body is printed flat. Approximately 10 hours of print time are required using Cura 3.6 at a .15mm Z resolution and 40mm/sec speed. Typically, you can rotate the spool within the body to achieve a loose fit that allows it to slide freely. If not possible, some light sanding after printing may be necessary to ensure smooth movement. The springs have an approximate ID of 7.5mm and should fit over the 7mm end nubs to prevent them from becoming dislodged. I do not recommend painting the parts as it can compromise the clearances and hinder their ability to slide smoothly. If different colors are desired, printing with colored filament is a viable option. Open Center Directional Spool Valve Model Rev 1.0 Disclaimer: I am a novice CAD designer utilizing Blender.