"We've gone to a modular approach, creating custom valves from combinations of standardized parts," Newell explains. "It allows us to expand our product line to more sizes and pressures, and reduce our ship time to two weeks, from six weeks."
Rising stem valves are traditionally used in food and pharmaceutical applications, says Newell. The technology was very stable for decades until the mid-1990s. "We've seen more change in the past five years than we did in the 50 years before that," he says. Forge Steel High Pressure Globe Valve
One of the reasons is familiar to most chemical engineers. As companies downsize, Newell explains, they demand more technical support from their suppliers. "They want instant gratification on shipment," he says. Going to a modular system makes it easy for WCB to apply the right valve for the right application."
Modular construction also enables WCB to speed up the pace of innovation. It introduced three-quarters of its product line during the past five years, says Newell.
Two WCB rising stem valves illustrate how the company uses modular construction to make very different types of products. W61T is a 3A rising stem valve typically used to process dairy products. W91T is a rising stem diaphragm valve used in pharmaceutical operations.
Both valves share a common indicator stem, actuator, actuator stem, yoke, valve seat, and body. The W61 adapter houses a standard rising stem. The W91T adapter includes a W91 adapter, spacer, and diaphragm, and W91 valve stem.
Customization begins with actuators and bodies. WCB offers 10 actuator styles (pressure, stroke, partial stroke, etc.) and 11 body types (upper and lower crosses and tees, single and double ports, etc.). The result is a very broad range of products for a variety of applications.
In addition to introducing new valves, WCB is also finding ways to work with its new sister company, Bran+Luebbe, a $150 million manufacturer of metering pumps, analyzers, and integrated blending systems for the process industries. United Dominion, WCB's parent company, recently purchased the German company.
Bran+Luebbe made its reputation in metering devices. Its pump line includes dosing pumps and triplex pumps used to handle liquids under extreme conditions. Its systems achieve +/- 0.5% accuracy and are capable of operating up to 15,000 psi. The company produces both space-saving vertically stacked pumps and horizontal units for critical suction application. It delivers standard pumps within 24 hrs.
Its Novaplex high-pressure feed pumps achieve rates of up to 13,000 gph at pressures up to 15,000 psi. Typical uses include reactor feeds, methanol injection, and spray drying applications. Bran+Luebbe says the pumps provide long-term energy and maintenance savings while minimizing downtime.
Its analyzer line includes continuous flow laboratory analyzers and inline process analyzers for liquids, pastes, and powders. Its Tomal multiscrew, volumetric, and gravimetric solids metering systems achieve accuracies within +/- 1%. The company has the in-house design, engineering, and project management capabilities to deliver turnkey systems.
The company also provides integrated metering and analysis systems.
Bran+Luebbe and Waukesha Cherry-Burrell plan to work together to develop several teams of 10-12 strategically located distributors that will sell both companies' products. Each team will focus on a key market segment. These include: chemicals, oil and gas, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, personal care, coatings, automotive paint, sealants and adhesives, film and fiber, and food and beverage.
For more information: Malcolm Newell, Technical Manager–Valves, SPX Flow Technology, 611 Sugar Creek Rd., Delavan, WI 53115. Tel: 800-252-5200 or 262-728-1900; Fax: 262-728-4904.
Hydraulic Actuated Globe Valve Get the latest articles from Pharmaceutical Online delivered to your inbox.