气动系统使用机控和手控气动阀调整气压或压缩空气等介质。手动操作是指通过按钮、手柄、旋转杆、蘑菇头按钮或脚踏开关操作方向阀（打开或关闭）。
挺杆或滚轮杆操作机械式方向阀。一般使用机控气动阀直接控制气缸或夹具。
通过空气生成的能量被传递给系统内的各个负载（比如气缸或抓手等），使其产生运动或抓取力。通过机械阀规定空气的通行方向。因此阀在常规运行中用作控制阀，或用作机器急停按钮。一旦发生危险，可以为系统采取完全泄压、停止供气等措施。手控气动阀也可用于方向控制，此时空气沿软管流向某个特定方向，而不进入其他方向，以此确保气动系统顺畅运行。我们的产品组合中还包括特殊的手控和机控阀，用于开关柜、控制台或借助压缩空气信号确认工件位置等应用。
无论是电控阀、气控阀还是手控阀，阀在气动系统中扮演着重要角色。由于气控阀面临的要求因项目、环境、应用不同而存在巨大差异，因此市场上有各种款型供用户选择和使用。
操作方式就是其中一项差异。除机控阀以外，还有手控阀、液压控制阀、电控阀等阀。由于操作简单、运行可靠，机控阀、气控阀和手控阀应用广泛。
除不同类型的阀以外，还可选择过滤减压阀：减压阀直接与压缩空气过滤器组合在一个设备中，让设备可同时完成两种功能。如果某些过程对过程安全要求较高，同时要求停机时间较短，这种情况就非常适合选择过滤减压阀，因为既能通过过滤器去除压缩空气中的杂质，又能完美调节工作压力。
This mechanical valve is included in the Festo Core Range. It is designed as just a stem actuated valve or with roller lever/roller lever, one way. Some versions of the valve are also suitable for vacuum operation. The valve is characterised by its sturdy metal housing and high pneumatic performance, making operation safe, reliable as well as ergonomic. This only requires low actuating forces and the valve can also be operated in reverse. Other highlights are the modern design and the attractive price.
This manually operated valve, too, is included in the Festo Core Range, as is its mechanical variant. Hand levers, finger levers or selector switches are available as actuating elements. Like the mechanical version, this valve has a sturdy metal housing, offers ergonomic operation, doesn't require much actuating force and its design is modern and impressive. Reversible operation is also possible.
This valve – also included in the Festo Core Range – has a metal or polymer lever for manual operation. This valve can be used to stop single-acting or double-acting cylinders within the stroke range. With the "mid-position closed" (C types), the piston of the actuator moves until the forces are in equilibrium. With "mid-position exhausting" (E types), the piston can be moved and only the frictional forces have to be overcome. However, in the version with "mid-position pressurised" (U types), the pressure at ports 2 and 4 is the same. The piston is not moved in the case of flat surfaces. If the surfaces are different, the piston extends to the smaller surface. These valves can be mounted on front panels or via through-holes or mounting holes. VHER valves also have the option of using sensors to detect the switching position.
Mechanically and manually operated pneumatic valves are needed in various industries and applications to regulate systems. For example, a pneumatic valve can be used in the following applications: