Problem CategoryProcess Control & Machine Diagnostics
Technical Guide

Valve Timing Drift in Thermoforming

Find changing vacuum, pressure, pre-stretch, and eject timing caused by valve wear, pilot pressure, controller delay, scan time, or sequence changes.

A timing value on the HMI does not include every delay between the command and actual pressure change. Solenoid response, pilot pressure, spool movement, exhaust restriction, controller scan, communication, and valve wear can change the effective sequence over time.

Command signals and pressure traces should be recorded together. If the command remains repeatable but the pressure transition moves, the valve or pneumatic path is drifting. If both move, controller logic, triggering sensors, or recipe execution should be investigated.

Maintenance should restore physical response before timer values are retuned. Sequence verification should be repeated after valve replacement because a faster device can create new overlap or impact. Critical timings should be defined by measured process events, not only programmed delays.