�ǳ�web Knowledgebase - NPP

6 Key Benefits of Pinch Valves

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:23:01 +0000

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Pinch valves are typically used in on/off applications. They can use many kinds of tubing and be configured many different ways. They are ideal for applications where cleanliness is important, and are also able to handle media with particulates. Check out this quick video to learn the top six benefits of pinch valves.

Video filmed at �ǳ�web in Cincinnati, Ohio

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Today we’re going to talk about pinch valves.

Pinch valves are typically used in an on/off application. They can use many kinds of tubing and be configured many different ways.

Here are 6 key benefits of pinch valves.

Number one is a pinch valve’s isolation characteristics. The only part the fluid comes in contact with is the tubing itself. This greatly simplifies fluid compatibility issues because it touches only the tubing material.

Number two—low power consumption compared to flow rate. The efficient construction of �ǳ�web pinch valves allows for power requirements ranging from 1 to 7 watts, or air pilot options can even be 100% pneumatic.

Number three is long life. Unlike other pinch valves, �ǳ�web pinch valves are designed for long and high cycle life. Plus in most cases, the tubing can easily be replaced further extending its life.

Which leads into our fourth key benefit—the tubing. Standard pinch valve tubing is soft, yet durable. Most pinch valves use silicone-based tubing that is between a 50 to 55 durometer, which is highly tolerant of particulates in the fluid stream. Every �ǳ�web pinch valve comes with 12” of silicone tubing pre-installed. You can easily change tubes if a sterile fluid path is required, or when chemicals might create residue or debris. Check out our how-to videos to see how easy it is.

Now, on to number five. Another big reason to choose a pinch valve is that they have zero dead volume. This means that there are no areas where the media can be trapped. Again, in different types of valves, area in the flow path could trap fluid and cause contamination.

Which brings us to our last point in choosing a pinch valve. Number six—they have an unobstructed flow path. Pinch valves create minimal pressure drop. Unobstructed flow is also important when handling certain fluids that need to flow smoothly with minimal disruption.

We offer several sizes and shapes that can even be customized to fit your application, including customizing the valve to operate with your specified tubing. If you have any questions about pinch valves, please give me a call. Thanks for watching, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more exciting videos.

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NPP

NPV

Solutions for Cleanly & Efficiently Controlling Blood Flow in Dialysis Equipment

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:05:28 +0000

Category:

Applications

Controlling blood flow in dialysis equipment demands special features and capabilities. In this article, we will discuss how �ǳ�web pinch valves provide unique benefits for this type of application.

Dialysis equipment manufacturers require unique features and capabilities of the components specified in their systems to control the flow of blood. Valve components controlling blood flow are of particular concern since they are integral to the most critical aspects of the dialysis system. Pinch valves are an ideal method of providing a controlled flow path for whole blood to travel unimpeded when needed between the patient and the dialysis system without exposure to contamination.

Pinch valves can be positioned to accept and easily replace the disposable tube harnesses used for each individual patient treatment. With contamination being a significant threat to the health of the dialysis patient, valves must be able to withstand the harsh chemicals used to wash down and clean any exposed area of the system, while isolating the system controls from any fluids used during the washdown procedure.

Additional patient safety and comfort considerations of the dialysis process require pinch valves to generate very little noise and very little heat during operation. Safety is also enhanced by providing position feedback signals from pinch valves, verifying that each valve controlling blood to and from a patient did in fact operate when provided a signal to open or close.

Download the Pinch Valve Modifications flyer (PDF) to take a look at some of the features that have been incorporated into the design of �ǳ�web pinch valves in order to meet these many critical needs of dialysis equipment.

Related Products
Electronic Pinch Valves	Panel Mount Electronic Pinch Valves	Pneumatic Pinch Valves

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Pressure Driven Flow Control

Rachel Desenberg — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 18:46:35 +0000

Category:

Applications

�ǳ�web pressure and flow control components make for an ideal solution for precise control of critical gases in bioprocessing applications and are a smart alternative to syringe and peristaltic pumps. Smooth acceleration and stable, pulsation-free, bidirectional flow of liquids are achievable, minimizing the damaging effects of acceleration, pressure surges, shear, and impact forces on sensitive media.

A �ǳ�web Cordis Electronic Pressure Controller is precisely maintaining the headspace pressure of a reservoir. The very fine resolution capability of a second Cordis is actively controlling differential pressure to smoothly accelerate the flow of the liquid media to a stable, pulsation-free rate into and out of the reservoir. The piloted pinch valves allow use of the same pressure controllers to control multiple flow paths, in both directions and at differing flow rates.

Watch a video of a similar demo:

Related Products
15 mm Electronic Valves	DR-2 Precision Regulator	Electronic Pinch Valves	Pneumatic Pinch Valves

Cordis Electronic Pressure Controls	Cordis Electronic Flow Controls

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Precise, Consistent Control Supports Cell Proliferation

Rachel Desenberg — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:47:36 +0000

Category:

Applications

Bioreactors are manufactured devices or systems that support biologically active environments. They are essentially vessels in which a chemical process is carried out involving organisms or biochemically active substances derived from organisms. Part of this process is sparging, which is the introduction of air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen to the cell culture media.

Problem:

Obtaining better control of the environment to better optimize cell proliferation

Optimal cell culture growth requires not only precise control, but also consistency. In this case, this bioreactor manufacturer was looking to enhance cell proliferation by improving both of these factors.

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Solution:

DV series valves provide exceptional precision and repeatability

�ǳ�web’s DV series valves were ideal for this application due to the exceptional level of precision, repeatability, and low leak performance they provide. Four DV series valves were selected to be used to control oxygen, air, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen being fed through the bioreactor’s sparger in order to control pH and dissolved oxygen (perfusion media) in the cell culture media during cell cultivation. �ǳ�web also configured a custom manifold to fit the application’s special mounting and porting requirements. The DV series valves enabled better, more precise, more consistent control over the critical parameters impacting cell growth proliferation within the bioreactor.

Pinch valves and proportional controls can also be used to automate the addition of perfusion media to cell culture media in order to optimize the proliferation environment. Additionally, precision proportional pressure controls are well-suited for maintaining the pressure and gas mixture in the headspace of bioreactors.

Related Products
DV Series Precision Electronic Valves	NIV Series Solenoid-Operated PTFE Media Isolation Valves	NPV Series Solenoid-Operated Miniature Pinch Valves	NPP Series Pneumatic Miniature Pinch Valves

Cordis Series Precision Electronic Controls	DR-2 Precision Regulator	EVP Series Proportional Valves	D VP Series Proportional Valves

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How to Replace Pinch Valve Tubing in a 2-Way Pinch Valve

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 16:14:39 +0000

Category:

Videos

One of the benefits of using a pinch valve is that you can quickly and easily replace the tubing. In this video, Attila Kiss demonstrates exactly how to change out the tubing in one of �ǳ�web's 2-way NPV series pinch valves.

Video filmed at �ǳ�web in Cincinnati, Ohio

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Hi, I’m Attila Kiss, product manager of pinch valves and isolation valves here at �ǳ�web. Today we’re going to talk about how to replace the tubing in our standard normally-closed pinch valve. Most of our pinch valves come pre-installed with one foot of tubing. The tubing is rated to one million cycles. Our solenoid valves are rated for several million cycles. It is easy and simple to change the tubing in a pinch valve, but you do have to follow certain steps.

This is a standard 24 volt valve. Step one, the valve is not energized. You would energize it at the full rated voltage. The valve turns on, you remove the tubing. Move the tubing to a different spot, taking care not to stretch the tubing as that will deform the tubing. De-energize the valve and cycle it a few times to ensure that the valve works correctly.

Those are the easy, simple steps that you need to replace the tubing in a pinch valve. If you have any special needs, please give us a call. Thank you for watching and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related Products
Electronic Pinch Valves	Pneumatic Pinch Valves

Q&A with Miniature Pinch & Media Isolation Valve Expert

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:55:13 +0000

Category:

Advertising

Attila Kiss, Product Manager for �ǳ�web's new NPV and NIV lines, talks about his background and experience with miniature pinch and isolation valves, and what he sees for the future of isolation valves.

Attila Kiss
NIV/NPV Product Manager
�ǳ�web Instrument Laboratory

What is your role at �ǳ�web?

I am Product Manager of �ǳ�web's new NPV Series Pinch Valves and NIV Series Isolation Valves. I work with everyone involved—from manufacturing and engineering, to sales and marketing—to produce the lines and ensure the final products are of the highest quality.

What has led you to your current position?

I have been working with miniature pinch and isolation valves for more than 25 years. I began in a family machine shop at age 12 and continued through high school, learning to manufacture components that were used to manufacture miniature solenoid valves. This taught me a great deal about machining very tight tolerance parts.

After high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I repaired heavy equipment and developed a quality control system. When my time in the military was over, I returned to the manufacturing industry where I ended up at a valve company—first machining components, then assembly, and finally setting up a quality control department at Biochem, a solenoid valve company. From there, I went on to become Production Manager at Neptune Research, a pinch and isolation valve company. I spent more than 20 years there managing all aspects of their miniature pinch and isolation valve lines, including manufacturing, design, marketing and sales.

What part of your job do you find most satisfying and/or what do you like about working in this industry?

The most satisfying part is developing a product that could potentially save lives. I enjoy the travel, working with customers and other companies to custom design products specific to their needs. The challenge of developing new products and resolving issues with existing ones is very satisfying. Also, being able to share my machining knowledge on the manufacturing side makes new processes easier. I have always enjoyed building, tinkering, machining and producing an end product.

What makes miniature pinch and isolation valves such a great fit for �ǳ�web?

Many �ǳ�web miniature pneumatic products are already in use in the same machines and equipment that use pinch and isolation valves. It's a natural fit for �ǳ�web to provide the isolated side of applications with the same quality and reputation they have in pneumatic components.

What types of applications do you see for these valves?

�ǳ�web pinch and isolation valves can be used in many different applications where precise dosing or dispensing is a must, such as DNA synthesizers, HPLC equipment, gas chromatographs, blood analyzers and dental equipment. They can be used with liquids or gases, and are ideal for a variety of laboratory diagnostic equipment uses, including applications that test air, water or biological materials. They are also well-suited for a variety of printing applications as well as multiple industrial applications where the control of a fluid is required.

What makes �ǳ�web's miniature pinch and isolation valves unique, or how would you compare them to similar valves already on the market?

The biggest difference is the �ǳ�web brand and the high quality, fast delivery and excellent service that come with it. In addition, you will find that compared to most other pinch and isolation valves, �ǳ�web's valves consume less power and feature a smaller, more compact design.

What are �ǳ�web's delivery/turnaround times like compared to others in the industry?

The NPV and NIV lines are currently on a lean system at �ǳ�web, meaning that most product will ship within 2 to 3 days once an order is processed. Many competitors can take weeks or more to deliver similar products. �ǳ�web has the capacity and systems to provide what customers need, when they need it.

What kind of testing is performed on the these valves?

Every �ǳ�web isolation valve is tested for flow and decay tested with helium in a clean room environment, and every �ǳ�web pinch valve is bubble leak-tested prior to packing and shipping. There is no batch testing. Every isolation and pinch valve is 100% individually inspected and tested.

Where do you see the future of isolation valves?

As the baby boomer generation comes of age, more diagnostic equipment will be required, thus putting an increased demand on the miniature solenoid valve industry. I believe we will see an increase in smaller, more portable machines manufactured in the future to help the medical industry diagnose and treat patients faster and more efficiently.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take and why?

K-bar, matches and canteen. K-bar is my Marine Corps fighting knife for hunting and survival, matches to make fire much easier, and a canteen to save water.

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Pinch & PTFE Isolation Valves - A Fluid Power World Interview with Rob �ǳ�web

Rachel Desenberg — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:42:09 +0000

Category:

Advertising

Fluid Power World's Editorial Director, Paul Heney, catches up with Rob �ǳ�web, VP Sales and Marketing, on �ǳ�web's newest products and the company's outlook for 2016.

Recently, I spoke with Rob �ǳ�web, VP Sales and Marketing for �ǳ�web Instrument Laboratory, Inc. about the company’s newest products—as well as his outlook for the next year.

Rob explained that the company’s new pinch valve is an exciting product for them, as this type of component is used in many machines where other �ǳ�web products already reside.

“We’re on the pneumatic side of the machine, where we’re usually controlling a lot of the components with the pneumatics,” he said. “This really opens the door to where now we can address the entire system. It’s exciting for us to see this line get added to markets that we were already established in—it’s a really nice addition for us.”

�ǳ�web’s isolation valves, Rob said, should be fully in production in mid-March. He said that there are no seals in the valves … “It’s PTFE on PTFE. From an engineering prospective, having that geometry and that design came down to where it’s a leak-proof, water-tight product.

When engineers express their current needs, it has not simply been about price or delivery, Rob said—service is another key attribute.

“We’re known for good craftsmanship, design, the engineering side of things. The design of [these valves] certainly is unique in terms of, we can outperform our competition … but the thing that’s getting the attention is people love dealing with �ǳ�web. We’re an easy company to work with as far as the service, the delivery, the pricing even. It’s certainly not a commodity by any means, but the price, the delivery service, we tend to do better than anybody in our industry.”

He said that they are expecting the second half of 2016 to be much stronger than the first half, especially on the industrial side of the business. For the life sciences, things started off stronger than they predicted, and the company expects industrial to catch up soon.

“It’s exciting for us because now we do expect that the second quarter will be far better,” he said. “I believe the year will probably see a 5 to 6% increase [in growth]. We could hopefully be closer to 10%, with the way things are going right now.”

Rob said that the company is working with three new large OEMs in the mobile market, which gives him a good feeling for 2016.

“Between life sciences and industrial, we think the first half will be strong on the life science, second half will be strong in industry,” he said. “Overall, it’s a great place to be. We’re well-spread between the two.”

Related Products:
Medical Grade Silicone Tubing	NPV Series Pinch Valves	NIV Series Isolation Valves

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