Valves for Sand in Iron Casting Foundry

A a modern and progressive Batch and Jobbing Iron Foundry produce castings from 1Kg to 2000Kg and in a material range including: Grey Cast Irons; Ductile Irons; Austempered Ductile Irons and Wear Resisting Irons.

The company specialises in general engineering castings supplying the Animal Feed, Pneumatic Conveying, Road Excavation, Quarrying and Mining, Power Generation, Hydraulic Power Transmission, Architectural and Shipping Industries. They are also a highly respected supplier of quality ingot moulds to the recycling industry.

How the Valves Handle Sand

The iron casting foundry are using two different types and sizes of Pinch Valves: 50mm flanged valves from the VF range, and a 25mm BSP socket valve from the VM range.

Both normally open valve types are conveying sand at 50’C, and at a pressure of 40-50psi. The VF valves transfer sand through pipelines in the air above the foundry, whilst the VM valve is installed on the blow pot vent.

100+ cycles are carried out by these valves each day. Approximately 5 bar air pressure is used to close the valves.

Benefits of using Valves for Sand

The foundry have been successfully using Pinch Valves for 40+ years. The user of the valves told AKO UK that Pinch Valves are their preferred choice of valve because of their simple operation and fitting, and because of their unrestricted pipe bore. See more reasons to use a pinch valve.

The internal rubber sleeve is replaced roughly every 2-3 years. Some of the pinch valves are used in conjunction with accessories such as solenoids and pressure switches, whereas other valves do not require them.

There may be potential for more pinch valves within this foundry, but at the moment the demand is for repairs as and when required.

Pinch Valves used within this application: << VM025.03X.50.30LA & VF050.03X.31.30LA >>

VM model, air operated, aluminium body, stainless steel BSP threaded ends, natural rubber sleeve.
VF model, air operated, aluminium body, aluminium PN10/16 flanges with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve.

Abrasion Resistant Valves for Sand

Due to their resistance to sand abrasion, pinch valves are the best valve type to use for this abrasive sand application. The valves are fitted with robust flanges or other resilient required end connections which can withstand the abrasion caused by sand. Other than the outer housing/valve body, the only other part to a pinch valve is it’s abrasion resistant rubber sleeve which opens/closes to control the flow of the sand. These few parts make the pinch valve reliable and low maintenance.

Once it eventually wears out, by only replacing the rubber sleeve which is the only wearable part to the pinch valve, the expense of replacing the whole valve is significantly reduced. Unlike other valve types, such as ball valves or butterfly valves.