Advances in technology and improvements to the AKO Free Flow Valve are ensuring it can compete with more ‘traditional’ valves on the market. In the past where engineers have opted for Rotary Valves, Ball Valves or Butterfly valves they are now opting for the AKO Free Flow Valve with a rubber sleeve. With proven reliability in the industry for over 35 years many engineers, OEMS and manufacturers are now realising not only does the AKO free flow valve offer the best and most reliable solution for conveying difficult products, it can also compete and beat ‘traditional’ valves on price. In the current ever-competitive UK market this is very important.
Free Flow Valves with a rubber sleeve that squeezes closed are still relatively ‘new’ technology in comparison with the ‘traditional’ valves. This is mainly due to fact in the busy workplace engineers have not go a lot of time and therefore are still using ‘traditional’ valves that are doing an ‘acceptable’ job on certain applications. This is slowly changing with AKO UK’s glowing reference list of a complete range of customers large and small, including end users and original equipment manufacturers all now using the AKO pneumatic free flow valve.
Benefits with Free Flow Valves
The beauty of the free flow valve is in its’ simplicity. Minimal parts of which only the sleeve is wearable mean minimal and quick, low cost maintenance. It has no mechanical parts, a complete clear/true bore and does not need an actuator.
If it is that simple then where is the new technology that makes the AKO free flow valve stand out from the rest of the competition?
Simple maintenance with the AKO free flow valve not only makes it stand ahead of the ‘traditional’ valves, but also the free flow valve competition. Improvements with the shape when casting, along with simple and clear instructions complete with photos allow users of the AKO free flow Valve to complete re-sleeves in between 5-15 minutes depending on the size the valve. Even down to the smallest detail to save time, bolt sizes on the flanges are all the same size meaning only one tool is needed to complete the job. Only replacing the sleeve and saving on all this time means a fraction of the maintenance cost compared with other valves on the market.
Simple Rubber Liner Replacement
AKO’s sleeve technology and continual testing have ensured the best possible life from their valves before they need replacing. The sleeves are made in layers and re-enforced to ensure they can handle the most abrasive products and keep springing back to the original open position giving the complete clear/true bore time after time.
The secrets of the sleeve are also in the elliptical body shape of the free flow valve. The body shape ensures the sleeve folds in the same place every time it closes, this results in a better mechanical memory ensuring longer life. This feature is unique to the AKO free flow valve meaning longer life than the squeeze valve competition as well as very importantly having up to 40% less air consumption when in operation. Saving 40% on air consumption with a valve that is operating every 10 seconds on a 24 hour shift is a huge power saving to every manufacturer.
No Clogging with AKO Free Flow Valves
The clear and true bore of the AKO free flow valve, means completely free flow without any blockages. Some free flow valves on the market are not a true bore and therefore wear to the flanges is often caused and in turn needs to be replaced. Also with the Pinch Valve there are no mechanical parts to get damaged as with other ‘traditional’ valves, again saving on maintenance.
Heavy cumbersome valves are also a thing of the past for AKO. AKO pinch free flow valve bodies as standard are now made from aluminium as opposed to cast iron. This is also the case with the ends, instead of the old cast iron flanges they use aluminium flanges with steel bushings. These improvements ensure the AKO Pinch Valve maintains its’ durability and resistance to abrasion, as well weighing 35% less than in the past.
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