There are many different ways to control the flow of air through a pneumatic system. When it comes to small diameter tubing, such as tubing for dental equipment, a pneumatic pinch valve is often the best choice.
The Importance of Quality
These types of valves do have to be made with precision control and full sealing capabilities in mind. Cheap or poorly made pinch valves do not provide the control needed to full seal to allow for complete closing of the line during use. Another issue with poorly made pneumatic pinch valve designs is the lack of fine control of the flow, something that is typically required for these types of applications.
With well-designed pinch valves, on and off functions as well as precision control of the flow of the air through the tube are easy and intuitive. The valves should be designed to respond to minimal pressure, which becomes more important the more frequently the valve is used in a given application.
How it Works
The typical pneumatic pinch valve is straightforward in design. It consists of a body, the internal sleeve, and a connection for the inlet and outlet ends. The sleeve inside the body is typically made of rubber for easy collapsing, sealing, and expanding. The body also has a control for the pinching or pressure release process, which can include a screw or a toggle.
The toggle connection allows for on and off control with a simple flick of the switch. The screw option for the pinch valve allows for quick, precision control of the flow by simply turning the knob of the screw or the end of the screw in or out to the desired position.
Available in standard sizes for different tubing diameters, as well as in mini sizes, these are an ideal option for many different applications.
