The Clippard MAV-3P is a miniature 3-way normally-closed poppet valve actuated by mechanically depressing a spring-return stem. Part of Clippard's MAV (Miniature Air Valve) series, it is equally at home with air, water, and light hydraulic oil — the poppet design provides exceptionally low leakage in the closed state compared to spool valves of equivalent size. At just 45 grams with a 15/32-32 mounting thread, it installs directly into control panels, automation fixtures, and test equipment where a cam, plunger, or linear actuator pushes the stem to shift flow.

Poppet vs. spool — why the MAV-3P uses a poppet

In a poppet valve, the sealing element lifts perpendicularly from a circular seat, creating a line-contact seal under spring preload. This geometry achieves near-zero leakage in the closed position — a critical advantage in pneumatic holding circuits where a slow pressure decay from spool clearance would drift a clamped workpiece or misposition an actuator. The trade-off is that poppet valves typically have lower flow capacity than spool valves of the same port size. The MAV-3P balances this with 110 l/min at 50 psig (190 l/min at 100 psig) through a 1/8" NPT inlet — adequate for piloting small cylinders, air-piloted directional valves, and low-flow hydraulic clamping circuits. Exhaust vents through the hollow stem to atmosphere, so the mounting area must allow free air passage around the actuator interface.

Stem actuation — integration without electricity

The MAV-3P eliminates the solenoid: stem depression of 1/8" (3.2 mm) at 24 oz nominal force shifts the poppet from the normally-closed to the open position, connecting inlet to outlet. Release the stem, and the stainless steel spring returns the valve to NC, blocking the inlet and venting the outlet to atmosphere through the stem. This purely mechanical actuation makes the MAV-3P ideal for limit-switch-style valve triggering — a machine slide or rotary cam depresses the stem at a defined position, routing an air or oil signal without wiring, PLC logic, or explosion-proof enclosures. The standard nitrile seals cover 0°C to 110°C; FKM and Krytox options extend chemical compatibility and temperature range for specialized fluids or elevated service. An electroless nickel-plated (ENP) body variant is available for corrosion-prone environments. The metric version (M-MAV-3P) replaces the 1/8" NPT inlet with a G1/8 port.