FlexiDrive remote valve operator

With the FlexiDrive remote valve operator, you can operate valves, like remote operated ball valves, from a safe location. You can operate your hard-to-reach valves from the operating station on the ground floor. So there’s no need to spend money on scaffolding. You also avoid exposure to extreme heat, radiation, or fugitive emissions. You operate valves in hazardous areas from a safe location, even through walls!

You may have to climb up, under, and around pipework. Alternatively, scaffolding may be required, which can take time to organize and install. A scissor lift could be used, but these have costly hire charges. Ladders are another option, but these carry their safety risks through trips and falls. FlexiDrive simplifies your valve operations by removing the need for any of the above.

Your manual valves are sometimes difficult to reach or positioned in inaccessible, hazardous locations or with confined entry points. Direct access could prove dangerous. Due to design limitations or economic factors, some manual valves must be installed in confined environments, such as underground pits, or other restricted spaces. Operating these valves in confined areas presents heightened risks for operators. These include the presence of combustible or toxic gases, which can lead to fire, explosion, or poisoning hazards.

Confined spaces often suffer from poor ventilation, resulting in potentially dangerous oxygen-deficient atmospheres. High temperatures in these areas can cause heat stress or burns, further endangering operators. In emergencies, such as tank overfills or fires, the difficulty of quickly escaping confined spaces poses a severe risk. The restricted movement in such spaces can make it challenging to operate the valves safely.

Environments that are susceptible to flooding or contamination with dust, grain, or other materials can lead to risks of drowning or asphyxiation. Using FlexiDrive, you can now operate your valve from an accessible location, without compromising safety.

To operate valves in the most extreme, challenging locations, a dedicated actuator may seem like the only option. However, by simply installing a FlexiDrive, manual valves can be operated efficiently and effectively. This comes at a fraction of the cost of permanent dedicated actuators.

FlexiDrive can accommodate up to 540° of bend in the cable run and your valve can be operated from up to 30 metres away. The operator station can be mounted to a wall, rail, or pedestal for operational convenience. The valve station is fitted directly to the valve using a purpose-designed mounting kit. It can be optionally supplied with a handwheel or lever for local operation. A submersible valve station for installation on valves below water or in potentially flooded areas is optionally available.

Sofis FlexiDrive remote valve operators for manual valves, eliminate the need for direct actuation. Our mechanical and pneumatic solutions enable operators to safely open or close hard-to-reach manual valves. Visual indicators guide operators through the complete procedure, ensuring that process conditions are fully met. With a collaborative approach, robust design, and carefully engineered layout, our solutions prioritize operator safety and comfort.