Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, with operations in North and South America, has introduced the latest version of its diaphragm valve body, which has been manufactured using hydroforming technology. The new tube valve body meets the latest standards for pharmaceutical, cosmetic as well as food and beverage industries and was designed for use in hygienic process applications.
The hydroforming technology both reduces the amount of material used as well as allowing uniformly high quality laser welds that do not add any further material to the component. The process starts with the flange, which is laser cut and milled, and the tube, both of which are from 316L stainless steel. The tube is placed in a mould, filled with a water-oil emulsion and subjected to around 3,000 bars of pressure to produce the required flow path to and from the weir.
The flange and tube are then laser welded together before the new component is annealed in order to relieve residual stress within the material. This heat treatment process also increases the durability of the material by improving corrosion resistance. This is enhanced by precision machining of the surfaces of the flange before the final polishing stages are completed.