Clean savings fox: Series LPV tube squeeze valve increases hygiene and reduces energy consumption

The LPV tube pinch valve from SMC features a compact width of only 20 mm, reduces power consumption to up to 2.0 W, and ensures high hygiene safety, for example in analytical devices or liquid filling systems in the food and medical industries. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

In many industries, pinch valves are used to control media when they need to be separated from the internal parts of the valve for hygiene safety reasons — for example, in analytical devices or liquid filling systems. The LPV series of pinch valves from automation specialist SMC not only effectively protect the medium from contamination but also allow operation at high maximum operating pressures while maintaining a minimal valve width of only 20 mm and a power consumption of 2.0 W.

When controlling media in fields such as analytics, medical, and food industries with dead volume pinch valves, process errors, contaminated samples, or difficulties in cleaning the flow path become more likely. Here, SMC offers the ideal solution with the LPV series of pinch valves in magenta version without dead volume: since the medium does not come into contact with the moving parts of the valve, potential contamination is minimized, and cleaning is simplified. Additionally, because of the lack of direct valve contact, the medium can flow freely, and the pressure drop is reduced. The LPV series primarily enhances hygiene safety but also keeps energy consumption and costs low — thus protecting both the environment and the wallet.

Lower consumption, high operating pressure

The LPV series features an integrated energy-saving circuit, which limits power consumption to only 2.0 watts (with outer diameters of 3 and 4 mm). Another small step toward a big goal: greater sustainability in industrial processes. Maintenance costs for potentially damaged hoses are also reduced by using SMC's pinch valves. The curved shape of the hose clamp makes them not only easy to maintain but also reduces hose damage and ensures unobstructed flow as well as minimal pressure drop. The LPV series valves are available in the types N.C. (normally open, in clamped position) and N.O. (normally closed, in released position).

Simple and flexible application

Silicone, PharMed® BPT, or Tygon® with outer diameters of 3, 4, and 6 mm (1/8, 5/32, or 1/4 inch) can be used as hose materials. After use, the hose can be very easily removed and disposed of with the LPV series of pinch valves — no cleaning necessary. A U-shaped hose passage ensures convenient replacement or installation. Previously, models often required inserting the hose through an O-shaped opening. Even with the compact valve, only 20 mm wide, installation is straightforward: direct/front mounting and panel mounting are possible, making it even more flexible and secure to use. Thanks to panel mounting, electrical faults caused by leaking fluids can be avoided between the flow and coil sides of the pinch valve.

Ready for use in numerous industries

Since the robust and dirt-resistant LPV series pinch valves do not contact the medium, no special approval is required for them. Overall, SMC valves are the ideal choice especially for applications ranging from the food industry to medicine, where media must be kept particularly pure and high hygiene safety must be guaranteed — for example, in DNA analysis devices, waste liquid lines of blood analysis systems, devices for identifying and examining bacteria, or filling equipment for various liquids.