What are the applications of hydraulic manifold?

VMF Hydraulics is specialized in the production of hydraulic blocks that have replaced a large part of the panel piping systems.

A manifold integrates the hydraulic part of a mechanical system and allows to group flanged or screwed hydraulic components. Each block results from a hydraulic schematic and is specific to this one.

The manifold block allows to receive and distribute the fluid in the system through connections between components. They are connected internally by holes that replace the piping.

There are two types of components: “flanged” elements that are mounted directly on a block face (distributors, filters, valves, etc.) and “integrated” or “cartridge” elements that are housed in cavities machined specifically in the manifold. These are largely valves such as: logic valves, flow valves, pressure valves, or shut-off valves. Their main role is to control the pressure at the inlet and outlet of the block to the other components of the mechanical system.

The hydraulic block has many advantages for the industrial sector compared to piping valve systems.

The main advantage of the hydraulic manifold is its compactness. It has a small footprint particularly appreciated in industrial projects.

By limiting the number of fittings in the hydraulic system, the hydraulic block reduces the risk of leaks. For complex mechanical systems that require high reliability, the manifold meets the need for durability and provides maximum sealing.

The block is also easier to install in a finished product. For mass-produced manufacturers, the hydraulic manifold block saves a significant amount of assembly time compared to piping.

In the industrial sector, hydraulic systems make it possible to operate presses on production lines, construction or material handling machines in a reliable and sustainable way, while providing optimal power.

Hydraulic manifold blocks are very concretely involved in the realization of products and industrial projects, here are some applications in which manifolds have an essential function:

• R&D: fatigue testing on A380 parts,
• Transport: hydraulic flight controls on helicopters, operation of vehicle automatic gearboxes, etc.
• Construction machinery: operation of public works or mining machinery requiring significant power (excavators, tunnellers, graders, bulldozers, loaders, etc.).
• Agricultural machinery: dump trucks, tractors, combine harvesters, etc.`Energy: operation of wind turbines, metal recycling systems.
• Offshore: lifting and installation of very large equipment.
• Shipbuilding: door closing system.
• Armament: hydraulic system of the CAESAR gun.
• Industrial production: functionate of cutting presses, stamping presses, injection moulding machines, clamping of parts, advance control and transmission of movements, etc.

For more than 35 years, VMF accompanies manufacturers and provides them with solutions for hydraulic manifold blocks corresponding to their needs.

Our know-how and expertise in complex and high precision manifold blocks has allowed us to create long-term relationships of trust with the biggest names in the industry (Bosch Rexroth, Parker, General Electric, Siempelkamp, etc.) and on large-scale projects such as the Las Vegas Ferris Wheel or the construction of the Chernobyl containment arch.

VMF has more than 40 qualified employees, more than 10,000 tooling parts and a complete machine park that allows us to produce more than 23,000 manifold blocks per year. All our blocks are manufactured with the utmost precision in our workshops located in the Rhône-Alpes region.

We offer a complete choice of materials for our hydraulic blocks (steel, aluminium, cast iron, stainless steel) and surface treatments (zinc plating, phosphating, anodizing, chemical nickel) to provide a response adapted to the needs of our customers.

Quality control at VMF leaves nothing to chance. All our machined blocks are subject to numerous meticulous checks (visual, dimensional, ultrasound, endoscopy, etc.) to verify the conformity of the holes, connections, diameters and depths of the cartridges or the sealing of the surfaces.

Within our premises, we have integrated a design office to design custom hydraulic block plans to support our customers as close as possible to their needs.

Equipped with a CAD/CAM (Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing) tool specifically developed for and by VMF, our teams design and plan the manufacture of manifold blocks by making all stages of production reliable.

Would you like to know more about VMF’s precision hydraulic manifold blocks and our solutions for industry? Do not hesitate to contact us! Our qualified teams are at your disposal to meet your needs.