Key industries that depend on compressed air ball valves

Compressed air is a vital utility across many industrial processes, from powering tools to enabling automation. To ensure safe, efficient and reliable operation of these systems, controlling the flow of compressed air is essential. This is where ball valves for compressed air come into play: they serve as quick-acting, robust components that enable system isolation, maintenance and pressure management.

These valves are found across a wide range of industries, each with specific requirements for compressed air management. In the automotive sector, they support tyre inflation, painting, cleaning, welding and robotics. In food & beverage, they enable packaging, labelling and container cleaning. The construction industry uses them to operate pneumatic tools like drills, hammers, jacks and rammers. Chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics and pulp & paper sectors integrate ball valves for dosing, pressurised transfer and high-precision control.

Bonomi Industries actively supports these needs with high-performance ball valves designed for pneumatic reliability and durability. Leading compressor manufacturers have long relied on Bonomi Industries as a trusted supplier, recognising the quality and consistency of its components.

 

Understanding the function of ball valves in compressed air systems

Ball valves for compressed air are mechanical devices designed to regulate or shut off the flow of compressed air through a system. At their core, they feature a spherical element with a central bore that rotates within the valve body. When turned 90 degrees using a manual handle or actuator, the ball either aligns with the pipeline to permit flow or rotates to block it, providing a swift and secure shut-off.

This mechanism is particularly advantageous in pneumatic systems where operational speed and system integrity are crucial. RuB ball valves for compressed air are engineered to deliver this reliability, ensuring minimal pressure drop, rapid actuation and long-term performance under repeated cycling. To meet the demands of industrial environments, these valves must comply with specific technical characteristics, including:

• Bubble-tight sealing, to eliminate leakage when the valve is closed.
• Quarter-turn actuation, allowing for quick isolation or flow restoration.
• Construction in high-quality materials, such as forged brass or stainless steel, selected based on environmental exposure.
• Pressure rating suitability, typically up to 16 bar for pneumatic circuits.
• Compact design, supporting installation in limited-space configurations such as machinery, control panels, or OEM units.

 

Benefits of using ball valves in pneumatic applications

The function of ball valves for compressed air is to either allow or block the flow of compressed air, enabling operators to safely isolate equipment, manage pressure zones, or carry out maintenance. Compared to other valve types, a ball valve for compressed air offers:

• Speed: Operates with a simple quarter-turn, significantly faster than gate or globe valves.
• Leak-tightness: designed for a tight seal when closed, ideal for preventing losses in pressurised gas systems.
• Durability: suitable for frequent cycling without compromising performance.
• Versatility: works in both manual and automated configurations.
• Material compatibility: available in brass and stainless steel, offering corrosion resistance and strength across varied conditions.

Compressed air is a non-toxic, inert medium, and material compatibility is generally not a limiting factor. However, ball valves must ensure excellent sealing and handle typical pneumatic pressures — usually up to 16 bar — with ease.

 

Ball valves for compressed air from Bonomi Industries: compact, reliable and high-performing solutions

To meet these requirements, Bonomi Industries offers a comprehensive range of ball valves for compressed air designed specifically for pneumatic systems, where space constraints, safety and reliability are critical. Our valves combine compact form factors with robust construction and high-performance sealing, making them ideal for OEM integration, control panels, and industrial automation setups.

 

Mini and micro ball valves

The S.34, S.34 M/F, S.35 high pressure and S.39 forged micro valve exemplify Bonomi Industries’ engineering for compact, high-cycling environments. These valves are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring dependable shut-off even under continuous use.

The S.34 mini ball valves are ideal for light-duty pneumatic installations, while the S.35 is reinforced for higher pressure scenarios. The S.39 high pressure ball valve, produced through precision forging, stands out for its performance in compact assemblies where space and response time are at a premium.

These valves are particularly suitable for machinery that demands repeated actuation and minimal maintenance. Their benefits—including compactness, tight shut-off, and ease of integration—are examined further in our dedicated article on mini and micro ball valves.

 

S.93 downstream exhaust valve

Among Bonomi Industries’ innovations is the S.93, a safety-focused ball valve that automatically exhausts downstream air when closed. This feature is crucial in systems where unintentional pressure retention could pose a hazard to operators or compromise machine compliance. The S.93 is widely adopted in industrial environments requiring built-in safety responses, such as assembly lines or pressurised equipment zones.

The valve capacity to depressurise downstream circuits upon closure contributes to safer maintenance procedures and helps meet workplace safety regulations. Its function and integration into pneumatic systems are discussed in our article on S.93 for industrial compressed air systems.

A high-quality compressed air ball valve is essential for safe, efficient and long-lasting pneumatic operations. Whether for compact OEM panels or industrial machinery, Bonomi Industries provides proven, tailored solutions to meet the demands of modern compressed air applications.

Looking for the right ball valve for compressed air? Contact us for product selection support.