A Reliable and Quick Safety Exhaust Valve: Discover SMC’s VPX400

Minimise Downtime and Maximise Safety with SMC

Imagine this: an operator hits the emergency stop. But the system hesitates—compressed air  remains in the actuators, leaving just enough pressure for something to move unexpectedly. In those critical seconds, delayed exhaust can mean real danger: injuries, damaged components, or costly downtime.

This hidden risk is still present in many automation systems today — and it’s exactly where the SMC VPX400 Safety Exhaust Valve makes the difference.

Why the VPX400 Safety Exhaust Valve is the smart choice for fast, reliable exhaust control

Engineered for high-risk applications and certified to ISO 13849-1 (Categories 3 and 4), the VPX400 is the fastest valve in its class when it comes to removing residual compressed air.

• High-speed exhausting of residual air – up to 15,000 l/min exhaust flow rate capacity
• Dual safety channels with redundant pressure release
• Integrated soft-start function for controlled system restart
• Built-in monitoring and fault detection with visual and signal outputs
• Modular connection to SMC's AC-D series for easy installation
• Compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient low power design

A compact pneumatic safety valve built for modern automation systems

The VPX400 integrates three essential safety functions into a single compact unit:

1. Safety shut-off: Isolates the system when an emergency occurs.
2. Fast air exhaust (flow rate): Rapidly releases pressure to prevent unintentional motion
3. Integrated soft start: Gradually reintroduces pressure after downtime, minimising shock and wear. This prevents sudden actuator movements. 

Its modular design allows seamless integration into your existing air preparation units (AC30/40/50/60-D series), reducing assembly time and improving maintainability.

Contact an SMC Expert now and take your machine to the next level

When safety matters, there’s no room for error. Let’s build it right from the start.