Pinch Valves from AKO Armaturen

AKO Armaturen & Separationstechnik GmbH, based in Trebur-Astheim (Germany), has specialized in pneumatic pinch valves and mechanical hose pinch valves for more than 40 years. The partnership extends our process valve portfolio exactly where conventional valve designs reach their limits: with abrasive, fibrous, pasty and solids-laden media.

  • Full bore: the medium only touches the elastomer sleeve – no dead space, no moving parts in the medium
  • Abrasion-resistant: ideal for powders, granulates, slurries, fibers and suspensions
  • Tight shut-off on solids: the sleeve seals reliably even with particles in the cross section
  • Easy maintenance: wear affects only the sleeve – quick and inexpensive to replace
  • More than 12 elastomer qualities: NR, EPDM, FPM/FKM, NBR, silicone, IIR, CSM – also available in food-grade versions
  • Energy-efficient: up to 40 % lower compressed air consumption thanks to the elliptical control chamber

Operating Principle and Typical Applications

Pneumatic pinch valves are actuated by control air: pressure in the control chamber squeezes the sleeve together and closes the passage; without control pressure the sleeve opens fully again. A control pressure of around 2 bar above the operating pressure is usually recommended; actuation is via 3/2-way solenoid valves, optionally with position feedback, with a positioner or – for vacuum applications (granulate conveying) – with matching complete solutions from AKO (e.g. AKOVAK).

  • Food & Beverage: sugar, flour, cocoa, granulates, trub and yeast suspensions
  • Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals: powders and aggressive media, hazardous areas with conductive versions
  • Pneumatic conveying: shut-off and dosing tasks in conveying lines
  • Water & Environment: slurries, lime milk, activated carbon, waste water
  • Construction, Ceramics, Mining & Recycling: abrasive bulk solids and suspensions
  • Service life: up to 1,000,000 switching cycles depending on the application

See all 21 industries with applications and case studies →

Series Overview

All AKO pinch valve series at a glance – open the series you need for details, technical drawings and an individual quote. Which series suits your application is shown in our applications by industry.

Applications by industry

  • AKO Series VM

    • Nominal sizes: DN10 to DN50
    • Body: PVC (standard)
    • Connection: female thread G / NPT
    • Operating pressure: up to 6 bar
    • Special feature: cost-effective, high stock availability
  • AKO Serie VMP Quetschventil mit Innengewinde

    AKO Series VMP

    • Nominal sizes: DN10 to DN50
    • Body: POM natural (FDA-compliant), POM black (UV- and weather-resistant), POM conductive (hazardous areas)
    • Connection: female thread G to DIN ISO 228 or NPT to ANSI/ASME B1.20.1
    • Operating pressure: DN10–DN25 up to 6 bar, DN32–DN50 up to 4.5 bar
    • Special feature: compact and lightweight, up to 1,000,000 switching cycles
  • AKO Serie VMC Quetschventil

    AKO Series VMC

    • Nominal sizes: DN25 to DN150
    • Body: powder-coated aluminum or electropolished stainless steel
    • Connection: flange (EN 1092-1 PN10/16, ANSI B16.5 150 lbs), female thread, weld ends, clamp and threaded spigots, tanker flange
    • Operating pressure: up to 6 bar
    • Special feature: hygienic connections to DIN 11853-2 / DIN 11864-2 on request
  • AKO Serie VF Quetschventil mit Flanschanschluss

    AKO Series VF

    • Nominal sizes: DN40 to DN300
    • Body: cast aluminum, powder-coated
    • Connection: flange in four versions, including with stainless steel insert or flanged sleeve
    • Operating pressure: DN40–DN150 up to 6 bar, DN200 up to 4 bar, DN250–DN300 up to 3 bar
    • Special feature: large nominal sizes at low weight, around 40 % less compressed air consumption

  • AKO Series VMCE

    • Nominal sizes: DN10 to DN100
    • Body: stainless steel 1.4408 / 1.4404
    • Certification: EHEDG Type EL Class 1
    • Special feature: CIP/SIP-capable, hygienic

  • AKO Series VMF

    • Nominal sizes: DN32 to DN50
    • Connection: female thread
    • Sleeve: compatible with V/VF/VM/VMC/VMP
    • Special feature: special series, details on request

ATEX Series Overview

For zones 0/20 to 2/22 – typical use cases are shown under Application: Hazardous Areas (ATEX).

  • AKO Series VMPX (ATEX)

    • Nominal sizes: DN10 to DN50
    • Ex certification: ATEX, zones 0/20, 1/21, 2/22
    • Special feature: conductive POM body, identical in design to VMP

  • AKO Series VMCX (ATEX)

    • Nominal sizes: DN25 to DN150
    • Ex certification: ATEX, zones 0/20, 1/21, 2/22
    • Special feature: conductive sleeve, identical in design to VMC

  • AKO Series VFX (ATEX)

    • Nominal sizes: DN40 to DN300
    • Ex certification: ATEX, zones 1/21 & 2/22
    • Special feature: conductive sleeve, identical in design to VF

Applications and Case Studies

Which AKO series suits your industry and your medium? Here you will find typical use cases, real projects and the direct route to your inquiry.

  • AKO Quetschventile in der Branche Chemieindustrie

    Applications by industry

    • 21 industries – from food & pharma, chemicals and plastics to mining, silos and wastewater plants
    • Typical applications per industry at a glance
    • Recommended AKO series with direct link to the product
  • AKO Quetschventile in der Branche Lebensmittel-, Getränke- und Futterindustrie

    Case Studies

    • Winery: more than 70 VF valves, low-maintenance operation for around 20 years
    • Plastics: VF DN100 for PVC powder and talc – over 15 years trouble-free
    • Powder coating: no more failures, approx. 6 years sleeve service life

    More projects by series and industry are available from the manufacturer AKO Armaturen.

  • AKO Quetschventile in der Branche Pneumatische Fördertechnik

    Discuss your application

    • Medium, nominal size, pressure – we select the right series and sleeve material
    • Actuation with solenoid valve, position feedback or vacuum solution
    • ATEX, food or pharma requirements taken into account