The FESTO 170692 HEL-D-MAXI is a pneumatically actuated on/off valve used in compressed-air preparation systems where controlled shut-off, gradual pressurization, and reliable restart behavior are important. Festo identifies this model as an on/off valve in the HEL family, with the exact type code HEL-D-MAXI and part number 170692. The current official product page and datasheet show that it is a 2/2-way, closed, monostable valve, designed with a piston gate valve structure, mechanical spring reset, and direct pilot actuation. The same official data lists a product weight of 396 g.
Product Overview
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | FESTO |
| Part Number | 170692 |
| Model | HEL-D-MAXI |
| Product Type | On/off valve |
| Valve Function | 2/2-way, closed, monostable |
| Type of Actuation | Pneumatic |
| Design | Piston gate valve |
| Type of Reset | Mechanical spring |
| Type of Piloting | Direct |
| Operating Pressure | 3 bar to 16 bar |
| Operating Medium | Compressed air and inert gases |
| Mounting Type | In-line installation |
| Product Net Weight | 396 g |
These values are taken from Festo’s official product page and datasheet for article 170692.
What This Product Is
The HEL-D-MAXI belongs to Festo’s classic compressed-air preparation portfolio and is intended for applications where the air supply to a pneumatic system must be switched on and off in a controlled manner. The official datasheet defines it as a 2/2-way, normally closed, monostable on/off valve with direct pneumatic actuation and mechanical spring return. That means the valve is built to move between two switching states, with spring force returning it to its default closed condition when the pilot signal is removed. This operating principle is useful in industrial pneumatic systems that need a defined shut-off behavior and controlled restoration of pressure.
Historically, Festo’s HEL family has been associated with gradual pressure build-up in start-up and shut-off functions. Festo’s earlier family documentation for the HEL D-series describes HEL valves as products for gradual pressure build-up, 2/2-way operation, and working pressure in the 3 to 16 bar range, with the HEL-D-MAXI listed specifically as part number 170692 in the Maxi size class. That older catalog context is consistent with the present-day official data for the same article number.
Core Technical Characteristics
| Technical Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Valve function | 2/2-way, closed, monostable |
| Actuation | Pneumatic |
| Reset | Mechanical spring |
| Design | Piston gate valve |
| Piloting | Direct |
| Operating pressure | 0.3 MPa to 1.6 MPa |
| Pressure range in bar | 3 bar to 16 bar |
| Operating medium | Compressed air to ISO 8573-1:2010 [7:4:4], inert gases |
| Media temperature | -10 °C to 60 °C |
| Ambient temperature | -10 °C to 60 °C |
| Mounting | In-line installation |
| Sealing principle | Soft |
| Product net weight | 396 g |
The official datasheet also states that the valve supports lubricated operation, but once lubricated air is used, lubricated operation must continue. It further lists CRC 2 corrosion resistance, RoHS compliance, NBR seals, and notes an exhaust-air function with flow control option. These details matter because they help define the product’s suitable working environment and maintenance expectations.
Product Weight and Why It Matters
Your requirement specifically asks for product weight, and for the FESTO 170692 HEL-D-MAXI, the official value is 396 g, or 0.396 kg. This figure appears on both the official Festo product page and the official datasheet.
In commercial use, weight is not just a catalog detail. It affects shipping calculations, packaging selection, warehouse storage, and export quotations. In engineering use, weight also gives a quick impression of the product’s physical scale. A valve weighing 394 g is clearly not a miniature micro-valve, but it is still compact enough for practical installation in machine air-preparation assemblies. This places the HEL-D-MAXI in a useful middle position: robust enough for industrial compressed-air service, yet not so heavy that it becomes awkward in standard line installations. This is consistent with its designation as the Maxi version within the HEL family.
Functional Role in Pneumatic Systems
The technical value of the HEL-D-MAXI is best understood in the context of machine start-up and air supply management. Pneumatic systems often need more than a simple open-or-closed air switch. In many machines, immediate full-pressure application can create harsh movements, impact loads, or unsafe restart conditions. Festo’s historical documentation for the HEL family explicitly describes these valves as soft-start / gradual pressure build-up products, which means the family is intended to help pneumatic systems build pressure more progressively instead of applying full line pressure instantly.
That makes the HEL-D-MAXI particularly relevant in systems where controlled commissioning and restart behavior matter. Typical examples include pneumatic cylinders, actuators, grippers, handling equipment, assembly stations, packaging machinery, and other automated installations where the air supply must be brought back online without abrupt motion. The datasheet’s note about exhaust-air function with flow control option further supports this interpretation, because it indicates that the valve is designed with pressure-management behavior in mind rather than being a simple unrestricted line shut-off component.
Typical Application Areas
| Application Area | Why HEL-D-MAXI Fits |
|---|---|
| Machine start-up circuits | Supports controlled pneumatic re-pressurization |
| Compressed-air preparation units | Designed as part of air management and shut-off logic |
| Automated handling systems | Helps avoid abrupt movement on restart |
| Packaging machinery | Useful where safe air restoration is important |
| General factory automation | Suitable for systems needing shut-off and gradual pressure build-up |
| Industrial maintenance retrofits | Can be used to restore original Festo air-preparation functions |
Because the valve is specified for compressed air and inert gases, it is suited to a broad range of standard industrial pneumatic environments. The official operating medium specification follows ISO 8573-1:2010 [7:4:4], which is a normal air-quality reference for many general automation installations. This makes the valve appropriate for mainstream factory pneumatic systems rather than highly specialized media applications.
Installation and Selection Considerations
The official datasheet lists in-line installation as the mounting type, which means the HEL-D-MAXI is intended to sit directly in the pneumatic line rather than being treated as a small manifold valve or compact directional control valve. This distinction is important for buyers. The HEL-D-MAXI is part of the air-preparation and start-up function of a machine, not a substitute for a standard actuator-control solenoid valve.
The model name also matters. Older Festo family literature distinguishes between Mini, Midi, and Maxi sizes in the HEL D-series, with 170692 assigned to HEL-D-MAXI. That helps explain the product’s physical scale and intended line capacity position within the family. The older documentation also shows connection variants and accessory relationships for the HEL range, confirming that the Maxi size is part of a structured product system rather than an isolated standalone article.
When selecting this part, the buyer should verify the full identification, including:
| Check Point | Reason |
|---|---|
| Part number 170692 | Confirms the exact Festo article |
| Model HEL-D-MAXI | Avoids confusion with Mini or Midi versions |
| Pressure range 3 to 16 bar | Ensures compatibility with the machine air system |
| Application as start-up / shut-off valve | Prevents misuse as a standard directional valve |
| In-line mounting requirement | Confirms installation suitability |
| Medium specification | Ensures use with compressed air or inert gases only |
These checks are important because air-preparation products are often misidentified in aftermarket supply. A product may look similar externally but belong to a different function group such as a regulator, filter, simple shut-off valve, or a soft-start accessory. Using the exact part number and model code is the safest approach for purchasing, replacement, and product listing.
Commercial Value for Product Listings
From an SEO and B2B product-page perspective, the HEL-D-MAXI has strong search relevance because the product can be identified by brand, part number, full model code, and functional category. Buyers typically search industrial Festo products by article number, exact type designation, or by terms such as on/off valve, soft-start valve, or compressed air shut-off valve. A strong product description should therefore include the full product identity and the most commercially relevant technical details: valve function, actuation method, pressure range, installation type, and weight. Those are the data points most likely to influence search visibility and purchasing confidence.
Conclusion
The FESTO 170692 HEL-D-MAXI is a well-defined industrial on/off valve for compressed-air preparation and controlled system start-up. Official Festo data identifies it as a 2/2-way, closed, monostable valve with pneumatic actuation, mechanical spring return, direct pilot control, and an operating pressure range of 3 to 16 bar. The official product weight is 396 g, and the valve is intended for in-line installation with compressed air or inert gases. Festo’s historical family documentation further places the HEL-D-MAXI in the company’s established soft-start / gradual pressure build-up product concept, which makes it particularly suitable for pneumatic systems where safe, controlled pressurization is important.
