Kinetrol Blueline Actuator Stands Up to Harsh Conditions in Cheese Factory

A very large mozzarella cheese producer in the USA had an actuator problem with their EFV’s (Enclosed Finishing Vats). The flow of the curds being blown into the EFV’s is controlled by star valves and pneumatic actuators. The actuators and valves serve (2) critical purposes: 1) The shut off of the star valve; and 2) controlling the air flow of the blower.

The cheese plant had continuous service problems with their existing actuators. Some had to be replaced within one week of installation. Failure of the actuators caused the curd line to be plugged, and when replacement of the actuator was needed, it would result in a huge mess to be cleaned up off of the production floor. With a 24/7 production timetable, a solution needed to be found to keep the EFV’s up and running.

Kinetrol Blueline vane actuators were recommended because of their 4 million operation guarantee and the new proprietary coating that meets FDA specifications and is permitted for use in food service.

The Kinetrol Blueline actuators eliminated the maintenance issues completely and the Blueline coating has held up excellently after caustic wash-down, with no signs of degradation or fading.

https://kinetrolusa.com
972-447-9443

Words Used to Describe Kinetrol Actuators

The Most Reliable 1/4 Turn Pneumatic Actuator on the Market Today. Period.

For over 50 years Kinetrol has been providing trouble-free valve and damper actuators to the chemical, biofuel, food & beverage, metal, mineral, oil, gas, pharmaceutical, power generation, paper, textile, water, wastewater, and transportation industries.

https://kinetrolusa.com
972-447-9443

The Advantages of Torsion Springs for Pneumatic Actuators

Kinetrol uses a torsion spring
as the motive force for
their actuator spring return.

Torsion springs, or clock springs, are helical shaped springs that exert a torque or rotary force. They are one of the the oldest forms of flat springs and one of the most common type in use today because of their simplicity and reliability.

Torsion (clock) springs posses a natural tendency to expand, producing a cumulative torque that increases as the spring is wound tighter. Both ends of the torsion spring are attached to other, separate components. When one component rotates around the center point of the spring, the spring will increasingly try to return to the original state.  When a torque is applied to a spiral torsion spring, an angular displacement is created between the first and second loading points. The coil then deflects (tightens), and the spring material is placed under stress, which in turn exerts a linear rotational "output" torque.

An internal view of the
 clock spring. You'll note
similarities with the
Kinetrol spring return unit.

Practically speaking, spiral torsion springs allow for lower torque loss, lower torque stress, and much greater reliability for use in valve and damper actuation.

Advantages of the torsion spring:

• High torque delivery per unit of deflection
• Low cost
• Compact
• Reliable
• Adjustable

Epoxy Stove Enamel Finish: A Kinetrol Advantage

Kinetrol actuators are well-known for their bright yellow, epoxy stove enamel finish. This coating is engineered to protect the exterior of their pneumatic actuators and accessories. But what is "epoxy stove enamel"?

Epoxy stove enamel is a high quality stoving finish that provides excellent adhesion to a substrate. Epoxy stove enamel forms a very hard, abrasion resistant, chemical and solvent resistant coating that stands up to many extreme environmental conditions. Epoxy stove enamel finish provides high level chemical/corrosion resistant qualities, and is used often in applications such as machinery, industrial equipment, and heavy duty transport machinery.

Kinetrol actuators are engineered specifically for high-cycle, dirty, and corrosive applications. The combination of epoxy stove enamel finish and stainless steel external hardware provide Kinetrol actuators outstanding protection from dirt and harmful chemicals.

Kinetrol USA
https://kinetrolusa.com
972-447-9443

Who makes the most reliable industrial valve actuator?

With millions of actuators performing reliably around the world, the Kinetrol vane actuator's outstanding cycle life, smooth and precise movement, and environmentally rugged design makes it the best choice for all of your valve actuation needs.

https://kinetrolusa.com

Consider Space and Fit as a Cost Driver When Applying Actuation to Your Valves and Dampers

Being creative with the design and layout of automated valve packages, and paying attention to space, has significant impact on the total life-cost of an automated valve (or damper) package. Evaluating the footprint available, and then choosing components that will allow for simple installation and continued ease of maintenance, will pay dividends over the long term. Always plan your valve and damper automation systems with ample space for access to tools and service personnel.  Don't burden your maintenance staff with an over complicated or nightmarish actuation system that takes hours of preparation just to do routine maintenance. Also consider that easier access many times means greater safety.

Kinetrol pneumatic actuators, spring modules, and positioners are engineered with this in mind. Their efficient actuator design provides more torque in a smaller package and their bolt together, modular configuration, provides very significant space savings. The result is more power in a smaller space, along with easy access, and quick change-out.

Consider Space When Applying Actuation
(click for larger view)

As you can see from the image above, electrohydraulically powered valves and dampers (left) require pumps and motors. Pneumatic cylinder operated valve and dampers require mounting fixtures, linkages, and additional tubing. But you'll note the Kinetrol actuator and positioner (center) provides mounting directly to the valve/damper shaft. The automation is done cleanly and takes up substantially less space.

Which would you rather service?

Pneumatic Valve and Damper Actuators Designed to Stand Up to the Cement Industry

Cement silos.

Cement plants take a harsh toll on equipment such as valves and actuators. Abrasive material is involved from the beginning to the end. Materials handled are often dusty and cause severe abrasive wear of equipment. The movement, blending, storage, and transport of limestone, shale, iron ore, and clay wreaks havoc on the life expectancy of process equipment. Additionally, corrosion issues in cement plants are frequent and costly.

Because of their reliability and ruggedness, Kinetrol rotary vane actuators are used in many processes across a cement plant. These applications include vehicle unloading, silo discharge, air cooling dampers, distribution, bagging and emissions control.

You can download a PDF that outlines where vane actuators are used in all areas of cement production here, or you can read the embedded document below.

Kinetrol Vane Actuators in the Cement Industry from Kinetrol USA