The AKO manually operated and normally closed Pinch Valves are currently undergoing new production, with a slight change in the casting. Various dimensions of the Pinch Valves are now slightly different to the old type, such as the height and length being shorter. However this will be beneficial within most applications and will work as an advantage.

At some point the old type will become obsolete. The new type manually operated and normally closed Pinch Valves will be painted orange in colour, rather than blue.

At AKO UK we kept on top of our marketing in 2009 by sending out our professional product literature, which has proven to be rewarding. We have also worked onkeeping our website up to date, developed our mail shots, taken part in marketing campaigns, and even joined Twitter!

We have noticed a growing number of new customers over the past few months. Keeping in touch with our customers has been the key to our successful business, as we know that they can rely on our quality products to keep coming back for a reliable, friendly and cost effective service.

AKO UK has also recently been helping to keep the Earth ‘green’ by supplying a total of 178 valves into a recycling waste industry.

A Pinch Valve is a full bore or fully ported type of control valve which presents no obstruction to flow passage. There are a few types of Pinch Valve based upon application.

Pinch Valves are made up of 3 different parts:

- Body
- Ends (Flanged/Screwed)
- Sleeve/Liner/Insert

AKO Screwed Pinch Valves
Air pressure is used to close screwed Pinch Valves. They have screwed end connections, and are available in sizes 10mm to 50mm.

AKO Flanged Pinch Valves
Air pressure is used to close flanged Pinch Valves. They have flanged end connections, and sizes range from 40mm to 250mm. Our flanges conform to BS4504 (New British Standard) NP (Nominal Pressure) 16. We do not conform to BS10 (Old British Standard).

Both types of Pinch Valves above are available either operated by hand (manual) or by air (pneumatic).

Industries using Pinch Valves include:

- Food & Breweries
- Pharmaceutical
- Water
- Foundry (Sand, Cement, Solids etc)
- Tankers
- Chemicals
- Silos
- Sewage
- Agricultural
…plus many more!

Some materials are more abrasive than others and have different requirements. This will effect the type of sleeve, body, and possibly the type of ends needed for a particular job or application.

Softer sleeve materials are more efficient for the more abrasive products. Our standard Natural Rubber sleeves are popular because they are ideal for handling many abrasive products up to 80 degrees C.

Types of Rubber Sleeves available for Pinch Valves:

- Natural Rubber: General use.

- Natural Rubber Food Quality: FDA Approved for the Food industry.

- High Temperature Natural Rubber: When operating levels are between 80-90 degrees C.

- EPDM: Suitable for products up to 120 degrees C, also available in food quality versions white/black.

- Viton

- Nitrile: Also available in food quality versions white/black.

- Silicon

- Hypalon

- Butyle

Pinch Valve body materials include Aluminium, POM (Polyoxymethalene), PVC, or Stainless Steel which is likely to be used in the food industry or in a corrosive environment.

How does a Pinch Valve work?

The controlling medium of air pressure or water is used between the valve body and the sleeve to give 100% closure (even against large abrasive particles) of the Pinch Valve. Exhausting this pressure causes the valve to immediately open. When open the sleeve allows full, unobstructed flow. The valve is operated via a solenoid/control valve and therefore does not need an expensive actuator.

2010 is setting off with a busy period in January for AKO UK. We have received large amounts of orders for our Pressure Relief Valves to go out into the water, sewage/sludge and food industries. All Pinch Valves with the Pressure Relief System assembled (consisting of Manifold, Shrader, Gauge and Switch as an option), are currently on test before they are sent to customers.

The AKO Pressure Relief Valve can come with a Switch if required. The Switch is used for indication purposes and detects if the valve is holding pressure correctly, or leaking, etc. AKO UK also provide additional accessories for Pressure Relief Valves, including spares, fitting kits, leak detection spray, heavy duty foot pumps and more.

The Flanged V/VF type Pressure Relief Valves are more common due to their larger size, ranging from DN40 to DN200. However we also supply Screwed Socket type Pressure Relief Valves, which are available in smaller sizes DN10 to DN50.

Pressure Relief Valves are used to relieve pressure on pumps in sewage treatment plants. If the line pressure rises too high the PRV will open allowing product to pass through, relieveing pressure in the line and on the pump.

The manufacturer of air operated and mechanical Pinch Valves AKO Armaturen & Separations GmbH, based in Trebur, Germany (head office of AKO UK), celebrates its decadel birthday.

2009 is a characteristical year for AKO – the Pinch Valve specialised company looks back on 25 years of successful history.

The company specialises in Pinch Valves but also sells knife gate valves, road tanker products, aeration products, pressure relief valves, valve accessories and special butterfly valves.

AKO is now working together with 22 national representatives with various companies from the widest variety of sectors all around the world. AKO’s customers come from industrial sectors such as chemicals, foodstuffs, paper, power plant and recycling technology, waste water treatment and in particular in the minerals handling, cement, sand and silo engineering sectors.

Today AKO is the European market leader for air operaed Pinch Valves.
AKO’s product range is versatile – Mechanical and air operated Pinch Valves are specially designed for isolating and regulating abrasive, fibrous and corrosive media to flat knife gate valves available in different diameters, and high performance butterfly valves.

Being successful for 25 years is an extraordinary performance. AKO is an economical solid positioned company with innovative products, a very good distribution network, a well-resourced warehouse that guarantees short delivery times and good services plus the view to accept new challenges. This situation will remain unchanged, even through the economically weaker times.

This excellent service and the continious development of products plus quality management  provide a basis for long-term business relations between AKO and its customers all around the globe that cherish AKO as a reliable partner.