Case Study #5 - Glass Production
Maintenance-Free AKO Pinch Valves Help Quality Glass Production
AKO Pinch Valves are being used in the most physically
aggressive environment with continuous exposure to sand
at L&T. The AKO pinch valve has solved the problem
in this abrasive application and assisted with the glass
quality for L&T over the past several years.
L&T manufactures top quality glass containers used
for beverage, liqueur and pharmaceuticals. For each mold
exactly 350 pounds of sand is gravity fed from a hopper,
through the AKO pinch valve, and into weighing scales.
It is critical for the process that the pinch valve shuts
off quickly as for every 350 pounds of sand there is only
a maximum tolerance of only a few ounces. “The quick
operation of the pinch valve ensures the process and in
turn quality of the glass is correct every time”,
said Maintenance Manager Phillip Freeman.
The valves are being used for between 100-120 batches every
day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The abrasive friction
of the recycled sand will wear out most traditional valves
far too quickly. When setting up the system, butterfly
valves and knifegate valves were rejected. Pinch valves
have been used for years in all abrasive applications.
Due to the advanced AKO sleeve technology clear bore and
simplicity of the pinch valve, the life in certain applications
can be up to 6 times longer than a butterfly valve. The
AKO pinch valves are fitted with abrasion resistant natural
rubber sleeves, which, for this application, are replaced
approximately every 3 years.
With a valve passing over 25 tons of sand per day this
maintenance record is “second to none and has helped
L&T continue to produce with maximum output without
any maintenance for the last several years”, said
site manager David Egan.
For the application the AKO fail-safe pinch valve was selected,
using air to open instead of air to close the valve. The
valve will fail closed using a spring cylinder which, when
closed, will withstand pressures of up to 90 psi on the
product line pressure. The fail safe aspect with the new
pinch valve is essential to this and many other applications.
AKO has also given L&T full technical back up with
over 23 years experience. New valves and replacement parts
can be supplied on a same day or next day service directly
from AKO stock.
The beauty of the Pinch Valve is in its’ simplicity.
Minimal parts of which only the sleeve is a wear item mean
low cost maintenance. The valve has no mechanical parts,
features a completely open and true bore and does not need
an actuator.
Simplicity and reliability were the two main reasons L&T
originally selected pinch valves, backed up with the AKO
service. No knives, gates, balls or bearings to plug with
sand. In this hostile environment most valves, regardless
of type, will need frequent repair or replacement and AKO
pinch valves offer greatly reduced costs in the single
and most important fact, that it keeps working where other
valves will need replacing. Sand transfer and mixing can
therefore be carried out on a more consistent basis helping
L&T maintain the best possible production, output and
quality with their full range of glass bottles.
For more information on AKO pinch valves and accessories
please call +614.873.8995 |
