Actuated valves that pinch silicon tubing?

[aamcle]

I'm interested in a small build and I'd like to use sanitary silicon tubing and some sort automated way of pitching the silicon tubing to stop and start the flow.

Does such a system exist? If so what is it called?

What's the latest in Arduino/Raspberry Pi diy controller builds?


Thanks. Aamcle

 

[cyberbackpacker]

What you are describing sounds exactly how a peristaltic pump works; finding such a pump that can pump quantities at any speed that would be useful in homebrewing is going to be difficult at a reasonable price-- possible, but difficult, and it will definitely be used.

 

[aamcle]

A peristaltic pump was my first thought but as you said a pump that will manage even 1 liter a minute is costly. I'd still like to use tubing in the 3/8" range which makes it a bit harder.

Atb aamcle

 

[HarkinBanks]

Brewie does this with pinch valves and dc pumps. The pinch valves are brewie branded so not exactly sure where to get them. But it is possible. Here is a pic

 

[Mike Howard]

Pinching a silicone line is probably not the best approach, IMO, but something like this might work. However, if you still wanted to go with that approach, I think Cole-Parmer offers those.

 

[BrunDog]

If you can 3D print parts, a simple servo or gearmotor could do the job.

I think this is an acceptable solution for exposed applications. I question the durability in a closed box like brewie but clearly brewie has other durability issues and it will be a while before the valves become their next hurdle.

Anyway, valves like these are used in medical applications all the time. This is not the same as a peristaltic pump but these pumps are also common and great for metering.

Edit: the Adafruit valve above can’t handle boiling temp but could be used for mash liquid.

 

[aamcle]

My printer is currently in bits but I'll have it going by Christmas, it will take a little ingenuity to keep the 100°C tubes away from the printed parts but it can be done.
Thingiverse also has a Peristaltic pump heads sadly I'm limited at the moment to PLA, ABS and Petg and they won't take the temperature.

Atb. Aamcle

 

[Zmanwithdog]

I use pinch valves at work a lot for use with silicone tubing... specifically:
Acro Associates, Inc. Where they offer solenoid and pneumatic options...

 

[aamcle]

Thanks.

I did find some in the end in a Lab supplies catalogue but the price was far too high.

If I do build an automated system the valves are going to be a combination of 3d printed parts and evilbay solenoids.

Aamcle

 

[Zmanwithdog]

If you do "make your own", you need to design in some tolerances as to what "closed" is. It's too easy to over compress silicone and that will tear the tubing. Just an fyi...

 

[Zmanwithdog]

Fyi, this is the actuated type we use at work... not cheap but no valve bodies to clean...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/233050842096

 

[Zmanwithdog]

This is the one we use for "manual" operations...

https://www.biopharm.saint-gobain.com/pure-fit-tru-valve-system?cat=16&parent=tubing-clamps

 

[BrunDog]

I think for our applications, a servo or motor driven version is needed. It should rotate a wheel into the tubing and go just past "top-dead-center" to latch. Pneumatic or solenoid versions will be very inefficient and need extra hardware.

This seems to be what brewie has designed.

 

[aamcle]

Many Thanks and a Happy Christmas to you

Aamcle