‘FlapVAT’ large transfer valve increases flexibility in equipment design

June 10, 2010
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Product Briefing Outline: VAT has launched a new transfer valve, the 'FlapVAT' that extends its product portfolio in the 'large transfer valve' series. The new product offers vacuum equipment manufacturers the ability to achieve what it claims is the best price/performance ratio available. VAT now has three large transfer valves in the portfolio for the PV industry, each of which can be customized in various ways to match each individual manufacturer's requirements.

Problem: Equipment suppliers working in the photovoltaic industry are facing continuous cost pressures from end users. Simultaneously the production throughput, yield and uptime have to be improved to reduce the manufacturing cost per watt, which requires high performance transfer valves at the lowest cost possible.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Solution: The FlapVAT is designed for vacuum production tools with slit heights smaller than 80mm. The valve technology is based on the common flapper valve that enables a swift exchange of the gate O-Ring and the integrated actuator allows for differential pressure opening wherever this is required. Depending on temperatures and outer conditions, the actuator can be placed on top or at the sides of the valve. Stainless steel or aluminium body and gate and horizontal or vertical orientation are other standard options that are available in this product range.

Applications: Transfer valves are used as gates to separate vacuum chambers and are suitable for various processes such as PVD or PECVD.

Platform: The FlapVAT is available from slit openings 30 x 500mm up to 80 x 3000mm with a flange to flange dimension of 160mm. It can be used in door, valve or insert configurations.

Availability: Currently available

Read Next

May 1, 2026
TPREL has proposed investment of up to INR65 billion (US$685 million) to establish a 10GW solar PV ingot and wafer manufacturing plant. 
Premium
May 1, 2026
“We have copper shortages, aluminium shortages [and] all kinds of raw materials are struggling,” says the GEA's John Mitchell.
May 1, 2026
US cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar manufacturer First Solar has posted increased sales and income for the first quarter of 2026.
May 1, 2026
CIP has acquired Orsted’s European onshore portfolio with 826MW of operational and under-construction capacity. 
April 30, 2026
Australia's surging solar adoption has driven battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the National Electricity Market (NEM) to more than triple their daytime-to-evening energy shifting in the first quarter of 2026, according to AEMO's latest Quarterly Energy Dynamics report.
Premium
April 30, 2026
US solar is 'relatively strong [because] the fundamentals for solar are really strong,' Aurora Solar's Fox Swim tells PV Tech Premium.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
August 25, 2026
São Paulo, Brazil
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA