Reliable Flow Control in Mortar & Quarry Operations with AKO UK Pinch Valves

Overview of End User Using Pinch Valves

A leading UK-based manufacturer and supplier of ready-mixed mortar, renders, and dried sand for sports applications operates a busy production environment where efficient material handling is critical. Across multiple sites, the company relies on robust valve solutions to manage the flow of abrasive bulk materials such as dried sand, OPC cement, and renders.

For over 30 years, AKO UK Pinch Valves have played a central role in ensuring smooth, reliable, and cost-effective operations.

The Challenge

Handling abrasive, dry bulk materials in quarry and mortar production environments presents several challenges:

• Material wear due to abrasive media like sand and cement

• Frequent cycling demands (valves operating every few minutes over 12-hour shifts)

• Maintaining uptime across silo filling, mixing, and transport processes

• Minimising maintenance costs and downtime

The company required a valve solution that could withstand these conditions while remaining easy to maintain and cost-efficient over the long term at this quarry site.

The Solution: AKO Pinch Valves

The site currently operates approximately 16 Pinch Valves of various sizes, installed in key positions:

• Vertical installation on bulk silos for tanker offloading

• Horizontal mounting on HGV tanker trailers

• Used in both normally open and normally closed configurations

Operating conditions include:

• Media temperature: up to 20°C

• Pressure range: 2 to 6 bar

• Actuation air pressure: 4 to 8 bar

These valves are integrated into daily operations for filling, conveying, and mixing applications, ensuring precise and reliable flow control throughout the process.

Why Pinch Valves?

Pinch valves have long been the preferred solution on site due to their suitability for abrasive and particulate media. Compared to alternatives such as ball or butterfly valves, pinch valves offer:

• Full bore flow with no obstruction

• Reduced wear, as only the sleeve contacts the media

• Reliable shut-off, even with challenging materials

• Simple operation and maintenance

The continued use of AKO valves reflects their proven performance in demanding industrial environments.

Performance & Benefits with these Vales at the Quarry

1. Exceptional Reliability

AKO Pinch Valves consistently deliver dependable performance, even under frequent cycling conditions. With one valve operating approximately every 5 minutes during 12-hour shifts, reliability is essential—and consistently achieved.

2. Reduced Downtime

The ability to quickly replace sleeves has significantly reduced downtime. The company keeps replacement sleeves readily available, allowing for fast, on-site maintenance without complex disassembly.

3. Cost Efficiency

Instead of replacing entire valves, the operation benefits from a “replace-the-sleeve” approach, reducing both material costs and labour time.

4. Durability in Abrasive Applications

To further extend service life, the system incorporates:

• Steel-lined flanges for high-wear areas

• Solenoids and regulators for precise control

Sleeve replacement intervals vary depending on application:

• Quarterly in highly abrasive conditions

• Annually in less demanding applications

5. Expert Support

The team works closely with AKO UK for:

• Product selection and sizing

• Technical advice

• Responsive customer support

The supplier’s expertise and accessibility have been key factors in maintaining operational efficiency.

Pinch Valves used within this application: VF065.03X.31.30LA & VF100.03X.31.30LA

VF model, air operated, aluminium body, aluminium flanges PN10/16 with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve.

Long-Term Value

With over three decades of continuous use, AKO Pinch Valves have become the go-to solution across the site. Their combination of durability, ease of maintenance, and operational reliability has made them an integral part of the company’s process infrastructure.

Conclusion

In demanding environments where abrasive materials, frequent cycling, and operational efficiency are critical, AKO Pinch Valves provide a proven, high-performance solution.

By reducing downtime, simplifying maintenance, and delivering consistent reliability, AKO UK Pinch Valves continue to demonstrate their value as a smart, long-term investment for bulk material handling operations.