Valves for Industrial Washing Machines: Types, Materials and Automation

A hydraulic component, a die casting with blind holes, a microcomponent for watchmaking. Very different parts, sharing one step: washing, which removes oils, machining residues and organic and inorganic soils.

This is the job of industrial washing machines, the equipment dedicated to cleaning and degreasing parts and components, including metal ones. Depending on the process, an industrial washing machine uses detergents, solvents, water or steam and, in some cases, aggressive substances.

All these fluids flow through the machine’s valves. For those who design it, choosing them therefore means dealing with chemical compatibility and long-term sealing performance, over cycles that repeat throughout production.

Types of valves for industrial washing machines

OMAL valves for industrial washing machines include ball valves and angle seat valves. The former are automated with our pneumatic actuators for valves.

MAGNUM Wafer and MAGNUM Split Wafer are wafer ball valves with a compact footprint, in carbon steel or stainless steel, from DN15 up to DN200. Item 424 is a 3-piece, full port stainless steel ball valve made of 316 steel, also suitable for aggressive fluids. For non-aggressive fluids, we offer nickel-plated brass ball valves: Item 115, a 2-way flanged valve, and Item 153, a 3-way ball valve with an L-port ball designed as a diverter.

ARES and ATENA, on the other hand, are pneumatic valves in stainless steel CF8M: each qualifies as an angle seat valve and is also suitable for steam and saline solutions.

On the automation side, AGO is an aluminum scotch yoke pneumatic actuator, with torque from 8 to 8,000 Nm, while AGO CF8M, in investment-cast stainless steel, is the alternative where corrosion resistance is required.

Applications of industrial washing machines: metal parts washing

Industrial washing machines operate in very different fields. One of the main ones is industrial parts washing for metal components, which can be of any size and structural complexity. The most representative sectors are:

●      Mechanics and hydraulics: small mechanical parts, hydraulic components and valves.

●      Automotive and aerospace: high volumes of parts or single components of considerable size.

●      Die castings and sintered parts: die-cast items, even very large ones, and components with complex geometries and blind holes.

●      Microcomponents: precision parts, from watchmaking to dental implantology.

●      Jewelry and cutlery: removal of polishing pastes.

Among the metal parts washers equipped with OMAL valves and actuators is the KP MAX by IFP Europe, a vacuum system that works with modified alcohols and hydrocarbons and, optionally, with chlorinated liquids, alternating spraying, distillation and drying.

Certifications for valves and actuators

Depending on the item, OMAL valves and actuators are available with Ex CE/UKCA, Pressure Equipment CE/UKCA, SIL up to SIL3, TA Luft & Fugitive Emission and Fire Safe certifications. These certifications relate to the individual component, not to the washing process.

Why choose OMAL valves and actuators for industrial washing machines

Whether it is an industrial parts washer or a high-capacity system, those who build industrial washing systems need components that simplify the design and reduce maintenance. Our solutions address three areas.

The first is chemical resistance. The material of each valve is selected according to the fluids to be shut off: stainless steel 316, also suitable for aggressive ones; nickel-plated brass for non-aggressive ones; CF8M for steam and saline solutions.

The second is reliability in frequent cycles. An industrial washing machine repeats the same operations many times during production: fewer maintenance interventions reduce machine downtime and keep the system running more continuously.

The third is the valve-actuator package. We design and manufacture both components in-house and supply the valve with a pneumatic actuator as a pre-matched assembly. For machine manufacturers, this means less time spent searching for components and no compatibility checks between products from different suppliers.

Want to learn more about the complete range of valves and actuators for industrial washing machines? Click here and discover OMAL solutions.

FAQ: frequently asked questions about industrial washing machines and their valves

Which valves are used in industrial washing machines?

The types used in industrial washing machines include ball valves and angle seat valves, also in automated versions. In our range, the stainless steel ball valves MAGNUM and Item 424 and the brass Item 115 and Item 153 are combined with AGO and AGO CF8M pneumatic actuators, while ARES and ATENA are the angle seat valves.

Stainless steel ball valve or brass ball valve: which to choose?

It depends on the fluid. MAGNUM and Item 424 in stainless steel also shut off aggressive fluids. Item 115 and Item 153 in nickel-plated brass are suited to non-aggressive fluids such as air, water, gas and petroleum products.

What is the difference between a 2 way ball valve and a 3 way ball valve?

A 2-way valve, such as Item 424 or Item 115, opens and closes the fluid passage. Item 153 is a 3-way valve with an L-port ball, designed as a diverter.

Can angle seat valves be used with steam?

Yes. ARES and ATENA are also suitable for steam, which they handle up to 10 bar at 180 °C. They also shut off air, water, oils, fuels and saline solutions.

How can machine downtime be reduced in an industrial washing machine?

Two aspects of valves and actuators matter: high reliability in frequent cycles, which reduces maintenance interventions, and the supply of the pre-matched ball valve with pneumatic actuator, which reduces the number of components to search for and check.