There are a lot of different, specialized, and unique types of methods of controlling the flow of material through a system. In small or large types of systems where air or liquid moves through tubes and cannot be in contact with valve surfaces, a pneumatic pinch valve may be the ideal option to consider.
The most common use of the pinch valve is in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. They are also used in food and beverage production, in laboratories and testing centers and in chemical processing facilities. Small, compact and easy to replace or add to a system as needed, these are a very practical option when sanitary and contamination issues are a factor.
How a Pinch Valve Operates
As the name implies, a pinch valve operates by squeezing or pinching the tubing to stop the flow of a liquid or a gas through the valve. The valve is on the outside of the tubing, so there is the complete isolation of the contents of the system, the liquid or gas in the tube, with any surface or component of the valve itself.
A pneumatic pinch valve uses a burst of air to create the pressure or the pinch on the tube. As this pressure is applied, the plastic tubing collapses and closes off the tube completely, preventing any further flow.
Once the pressure is released in the valve, the pressure of the liquid or the air in the tube forces the flexible, plastic tube fully open, allowing the flow of the liquid or gas to resume.
A pneumatic pinch valve can be designed to be normally open or normally closed based on the specifics of the system. Each valve is rated to a specific pressure, and it is always important to carefully match the valve to the maximum system pressure for accurate performance.
