A pinch valve controls the flow
of media through flexible tubing. As the name implies,
pinch valves operate on the principle that pinching opposite
walls of tubing together creates a blockage past which
that media cannot flow. Since there is no contact between
the media and components of the valve, pinch valves are
ideal for applications where sterility or purity is essential,
or where the media is difficult to handle.
Pinching functionality is
achieved by integrating an actuator and a pinching mechanism
into a single unit. The pinching mechanism captures
the tubing and provides a fixed pinching surface; the
actuator generates forces that act on a sliding plunger
to pinch the tubing. A spring typically supplies the
force in one direction, while the actuator produces
an opposing force.
