Servo Controlled Pneumatic Valve

thingiverse

Recently I stumbled upon 8 mm pneumatic tubing featuring various valves and quick-fit couplers, all quite affordable and suitable for both air and water at high pressure. One thing that caught my attention was the lack of low-voltage valves; instead, I found ones based on 24V solenoids that consumed power constantly when activated. Furthermore, they didn't allow for partial opening, which isn't a major concern for me but still not ideal. To resolve this issue, I modified a valve designed for manual use to operate with servos! I opted for standard size servos, specifically the Futaba S3003 model, which run at 5V and draw a maximum of 0.5A current. Plus, when they reach their desired position, they go idle, consuming only 8mA. Instructions: 1. Attach the shaft coupler to the servo. 2. Remove the handle and remove any walls limiting rotation. 3. Secure the valve in place using zip ties. 4. Insert the servo and verify its rotation; marks on the shaft coupler will aid in determining the current position. 5. Adjust the coupler's position on the servo if necessary, then secure it with M3 screws.