A rubber compounding company have been using AKO VF type flanged Pinch Valves in sizes DN80 & DN100 for over 30 years within the manufacture of their cable installation end product. The company were originally purchasing the pinch valves from a company called Paladon, which was bought out by AKO in 2000. (see more information about Paladon valves here).
Valves for Granules Application Details
Product: Pellets, Granules, Resin, Powders. Some of which are polymer pellets, polypropylene pellets, calcium carbonate and aluminium trihydrate.
Temperature: Ambient
Pressure: 250-300 mBAR
The Pinch Valves on site are both normally open or normally closed, depending on the line.
Amount of Cycles per day: Some lines are 2-6 times per hour, some can be up to 12 times. This is a 24/7 plant.
There is a degree of vacuum being used in the lines.
Amount of air available to close the Pinch Valves for granules: 2.5-3.5 BAR. The engineers on site were advised to regulate the closing pressure down to 2 BAR to lengthen the lifetime of the sleeve.
Valves for Granules Experience
The rubber compounding company using AKO Pinch Valves for granules from the VF range are very satisfied with the products overall. There are hundreds of Pinch Valves installed and working here, and sometimes the valves are used on different product lines with an alternative media.
Pinch Valves used within this application – VF080.03X.31.30LA & VF100.03X.31.30LA
VF model, air operated, bore sizes DN80 & DN100, aluminium body, aluminium flanges PN10/16 with mild steel bushings, natural rubber abrasion resistant sleeve.
When our AKO representative was on site, an engineer was replacing the rubber sleeve inside one of the AKO Pinch Valves. AKO sleeves have dates of manufacture stamped onto them, which told us that the sleeve was 11 years old at the time of being replaced.
The company have changed their processes over the last ten years which now gives the lifetime of the rubber sleeves inside the Pinch Valves for granules more durability. The sleeves are also now kept in the open position when not in use, giving them a more relaxed form. The company find this to be more beneficial for the sleeves and helps them to last longer.
Damian, the specialty compounds engineer on site said:
“The AKO Pinch Valves were already in use when I started working here, but we have continued to use them within our systems because they are unique in terms of flow technology and conveying powders. The Pinch Valves also have a simple design to stop the flow of media, and are very very reliable.”
See more AKO Pinch Valve Testimonials.
Pinch Valve for Granules Replacement Parts are Minimal
The replacement sleeve part numbers for these DN80 & DN100 Pinch Valves for granules are M080-03X & M100-03X. With the sleeves being the only replaceable part, there is no hassle with the constant upgrading of parts with other conventional valve types.
Up to four spare sleeves are kept in stock on the shelf in case of failures. The company have not had the need to replace any valves, only the sleeves.
For DN100 size pinch valves and above, a fitting kit can be provided for ease of fitting a new sleeve. For DN80 and below, a fitting tool is not needed but AKO offer a special lubricant paste which many users find useful.