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.