Valves are a key component of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. For example, in systems that use water as a medium for heating and cooling, balancing valves regulate the flow of hot or cold water to the various terminals in the system. In air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, expansion valves control the flow of refrigerant between the compressor, condenser and evaporator.
Based in Nordborg, Denmark, Danfoss has been making valves for heating and cooling systems since the company was founded back in 1933. Until August 2020, the work of assembling one type of valve was completely manual and required seven people. Assemblers had to pull screwdrivers down and up again above shoulder height at very short intervals.