Case Study | Shot Peening For Aerospace

Application: AKO’s VMC Pinch Valves regulating the flow in shot peening parts for the aerospace industry
Valves Used: Type VMC Pinch Valves, 1-1/4” and 3” Valves with Abrasive Resistant Rubber Liners

Shot peening is a process that strengthens surfaces of metal parts typically for use in high-stress installations. By shooting at high velocity small metallic, glass, or ceramic particles, a manufacturer is able to strengthen such incredibly important components. Controlling the flow of metallic, glass, and ceramic particles requires an incredibly abrasive resistant pinch valve that can withstand punishing flows.

The aerospace manufacturer, based in the US, contacted AKO Pinch Valves’ US distributor, Basecamp Process Components for a consultation. They’re shot peening equipment previously used inferior non-AKO pinch valves requiring frequent sleeve replacement that did not do as well of a job at sealing completely. After a quick installation of VMC AKO Pinch Valves to control the high-velocity particles that cold work aerospace parts and other high-strength metals. The AKO pinch valves abrasive resistant rubber liner is ideal for controlling the abrasive media that constantly races past to meet its metal “cold worked” counterpart. For these applications, AKO’s VMC Series pinch valves are typically used and these pinch valves are made up of three components: the valve body (typically aluminum), the connection ends (typically with an abrasive resistant liner) and the sleeve (typically abrasive resistant, fiber reinforced rubber). The pinch valve sleeve is typically the only part that needs to be replaced and these sleeves can be replaced on-site in less than 15 minutes. The sleeve lifespan is determined by the number of cycles, abrasion of the material, and material pressure. AKO pinch valves range in size from 10mm to 100mm. The VMC Series valve is versatile, compact unit and ideal for abrasive materials for many other industries.