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A Complete Guide to Industrial Valves and Camlock Fittings: Types, Uses, and Top Suppliers

  • 2025.05.15
  • Γνώση

Introduction

Industrial valves and camlock fittings are critical in gas and fluid systems. They control fluid or gas flow, while camlock fittings ease the piping and other devices' regular connection and disconnection.

Valves and fittings help to smooth flow, ensure safety, regulate quantity delivery and pressure, and provide diversions. Using the right industrial valves and camlock fittings in your piping also ensures system efficiency and reduces downtime.

There is a growing demand for different industrial valves and camlock fittings. Here, you will learn more about them, their types, applications, and where you can buy them in the UK.

What Are Industrial Valves and Camlock Fittings?

Fluid or gas delivery systems consist of parts like piping, connectors, storage, and valves. All these parts work together to deliver content in the right volumes and pressure to the target destination. Industrial valves and camlock fittings play a significant role in such a system.

So, what are industrial valves and camlock fittings, and what are the benefits of using them together in a system?

Βιομηχανικές βαλβίδες

Industrial valves control gas and fluid flow through connection lines or storage.. Depending on the valve design, they can open, shut, or regulate flow.

Camlock Fittings

Camlock fittings, also known as cam and groove couplings, allow for quick connection and disconnection. A quick-connect coupling consists of a male plug or adapter that fits in a female socket or coupler. Both lock together using a simple lever operation, creating a leak-proof connection between hoses or other devices.

Different Types of Industrial Valves

There are many Industrial valve varieties. They differ in types, functions, pressure ratings, size, operation method, and material. The pressure rating refers to the maximum pressure a valve can withstand without damage.

Here are some of the most common industrial valves used across different industries.

Ball Valves

Definition

A ball valve is an industrial valve that uses a ball to shut or open and regulate flow in a pipeline. The valve has minimal pressure drop and a very low response time. Ball valves are ideal for quick line opening and closing. They also support manual, pneumatic, and electric operation.

Ball Valves

Working Principle

The valve's internal sphere has a through-hole with a diameter equal to the mounted piping. When open, the hole aligns with the pipe, providing a full bore with zero restriction on medium flow.

Εφαρμογές

Ball valve designs help them control high-pressure liquids and gases. Their applications span various sectors, from residential use to different industries.

Materials

Another benefit of ball valves is that they come in various materials to support their use with different substances. The primary materials used to make industrial ball valves are:

  • Carbon steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene (GFPP)
  • Polyvinylidene Difluoride) (PVDF)
  • Polyethylene (PE)

Check Valves

Definition

A check valve is a non-return, foot, or one-way valve that allows the medium to flow in only one direction. It is a two-port valve with two openings on its body: an inlet and an outlet.

Working Principle

The design of this industrial nonreturn valve prevents backflow or the reverse flow of fluids in a pipeline. It ensures a unidirectional medium flow within a system. A check valve uses a mechanism that allows fluid to pass when it is under pressure. When the inlet shuts off, the outlet pipe backflow automatically closes the valve.

Εφαρμογές

The main areas of application and benefits of check valves are:

  • Protecting expensive equipment like pumps from reverse flow damage. Check the diagram below to see how a silent check valve prevents backflow into the pump.
Check Valves Applications
  • A check valve prevents wastewater or osmosis from backflowing into sewage or desalination systems.
  • Maintaining pressure in the pipeline when the pump shuts off.
  • Prevention of medium discharge into the container.

Materials

 The most common check valve uses brass, although you can find return valves made of other materials.

Gate Valves

Definition

A gate valve's primary function is to fully close or open. You cannot use a gate valve to control delivery volumes. Gate valves are standard for irregular pipeline opening and closing.

Working Principle

The gate valve works by engaging a gate-like plate along the fluid path. It opens and closes in a vertical linear motion. The valve uses a threaded system that connects the actuator to the gate system.

A closed and an open non-rising stem gate valve

Gate Valves

Εφαρμογές

Since a gate valve doesn't obstruct and has minimum pressure loss, it is ideal for pipe or tank cleaning outlets. It is also suitable for closing pipes during maintenance and repairs or when changing flow direction.

Materials

Common materials used in gate valves are:

  • Alloy steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Bronze
  • Cast steel
  • Cast iron

Butterfly Valves

Butterfly Valves

Definition

A butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotational motion valve that shuts off pipeline flow. It uses a disc that turns 90 degrees at the centre of the pipe's bore.

Working Principle

Butterfly valves use a relatively simple working principle. When closed, the disc blocks the valve's bore. The disc aligns perpendicular to the piping in the open position, allowing flow.

Εφαρμογή

Since butterfly valves are not full-bore, they are unsuitable for pigging or swabbing. The valve disc also restricts flow, causing a pressure drop.

Butterfly valves are ideal for large-capacity systems. They are much lighter than ball valves at large pipe diameters and require smaller installation space. A good example of their application is butterfly valves used at the Thames Water Treatment Plant.

Materials

The standard body material of butterfly valves is ductile iron, which is coated with epoxy on both internal and external surfaces.

The main benefits of a butterfly valve are:

  • Lightweight and compact: Butterfly valves require less installation space and are much lighter at large diameters.
  • Low maintenance requirements: The valve comprises few moving parts that reduce wear and maintenance requirements.
  • Fast acting: It only needs a 900 rotation on the actuation mechanism (handle) to close or open the valve completely.
  • Low cost: they have a simple design requiring fewer materials, making them cheaper than other valves.

Globe Valve

Definition

A globe valve is not a straight-through path valve. The name comes from its cylindrical shape. The valve can shut and control the flow of fluids in a pipeline.

Working Principle

Working Principle

The valve has a baffle inside with an inlet into its body and an outlet through which the media flows. Its design gives it a higher pressure drop than the ball and gate valves.

Εφαρμογές

Where appropriate, a globe valve can serve in many process industries. Their primary use is in a basic water faucet. Globe valves are also common in the plant piping industry. You can have a manual or automated globe valve. The valves are capable of regulating pressure and controlling flow.

Materials

Due to their complex shape, globe valves are made of cast metal. However, some industrial valve manufacturers use wrought materials for custom globe valves.

Bronze is used for the valve's disc and seat rings. Industrial valve suppliers also offer stainless steel globe valves for working with temperatures exceeding 350 degrees Celsius. Cobalt-based alloys are also used in manufacturing globe valves.

Different Types of Camlock Fittings

Camlock fittings are a standardized form of hose and pipe couplings. They have a male and a female end that lock together with a leak-proof system using hand-operated levers.

Camlock fittings are of different types and made of a wide range of materials.

Camlock Types

There are several design configurations of camlock fittings. Each design uses a letter designation (A to F, DC, DP). The letters ease identification and application matching. Here are camlock types explained:

Type Design Features
AA male adapter and a female thread
BA female adapter and a male thread
CA hose shank and a female adapter
DA female coupler and a female thread
EA hose shank and a male adapter
FA male adapter and a male thread
DCA dust cap for covering adapters
DPA dust plug for use with couplers

Materials Used in Making Camlock Fittings and Applications

Materials play a critical role in the functionality and suitability of a camlock fitting. The material determines the environment and substance. Here are the most common materials used to make camlock fittings:

  • Aluminium Camlock Fittings: They are light and great in resisting corrosion. It makes them suitable for handling water and petroleum products.   
  • Stainless Steel Camlock Fittings: Stainless steel is robust and resists corrosion and high temperatures. The material suits industries handling substances like food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Brass Camlock Fittings: Brass is more durable and resists corrosion. The fittings are ideal for water, coolants, hydraulic oil, and gasoline applications.
  • Polypropylene Camlock Fittings: Polypropylene camlock fittings are also known simply as poly camlock fittings. They are cost-effective and chemical resistant, making them popular in agriculture and water transport.

Advantages of Camlock Fittings

Camlock fittings have several advantages, making them a favorite choice across multiple industrial applications. These coupling instruments allow quick, tool-free hose connections and disconnections. The main advantages of camlock fittings are:

  • Easy to use: Camlock fittings do not require any tools during assembly.
  • Quick assembly: You can make connections involving camlock fittings in seconds. The devices do not use threads when joining the female and male adapter halves.
  • Versatility: Camlock fittings are ideal for most liquids, powders, and gas applications. However, for safety reasons, we don't recommend quick-connect couplers for compressed air use.
  • Ανθεκτικότητα: Camlock fittings' simple design minimizes dirt and reduces premature damage.
  • Reliability: These gadgets' design is for a variety of repeatable uses. Cams uphold functionality during the system's lifespan.
  • Cost-effective: Compared to other quick-connect and disconnect fittings, camlocks are budget-friendly.
  • Size Range: Camlock fittings range from ½ to 6 inches and use different materials. It makes them compatible with various systems in multiple industries.
  • Operating Pressure: Most camlock fittings have an operating pressure of 150 psi. Their operating pressure makes them suitable for a wide range of applications. However, you must consult the specification, size, and material to ensure the fitting meets the system requirements.
  • Thread Type: Camlock fittings use National Pipe Threads (NPT), ensuring a leak-proof seal when threaded onto a pipe. Type C and Type E camlock fittings come with hose barb end shanks for a direct fit.

Where to Buy Industrial Valves and Camlock Fittings in the UK

Below are industrial valves and camlock fittings from trusted suppliers in the UK and globally.

Camlock Systems Ltd

It is an over-century-old manufacturer, marked by continuous innovation, serving over 140 countries. They hold ISO9001:2008 certification and specialize in:

  • Cam locks
  • Electronic locks
  • Pushlocks
  • Switchlocks
  • Changeable combination locks

Lowe & Fletcher Ltd

The company has over 135 years of production experience. They have innovative products like the battery-free ECHO NFC lock and Omnis high-security system. Low & Fletcher's major products are:

  • Coin-operated camlocks
  • Mini camlocks (10.3mm, 10.5mm)
  • Standard camlocks (11.1mm, 12.6mm)
  • Water-resistant camlocks
  • Tool-operated slamlocks

K&G Machinery

The company originates from China and has 40 years of experience producing fluid technology components. They adhere to international standards such as ISO9001, ISO14001, CE, an OHSAS18001 in their products like:

  • Camlock coupling
  • TW coupling
  • Guillemin coupling
  • Geka coupling
  • Storz coupling

ProCamlock

PROCAMLOCK is a leading manufacturer specializing in Camlock fittings and advanced fluid transfer solutions. They offer end-to-end services including custom design, precision casting, CNC machining, and assembly. Their in-house capabilities, such as a dedicated Wax Model Workshop and advanced dipping process, ensure high-performance, corrosion-resistant products tailored to diverse industrial needs.

Committed to quality, innovation, and global service, PROCAMLOCK adheres to strict ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards at every stage of production. Their major products include:

  • Camlock fittings of Stainless steel, Aluminum, Brass, and Polypropylene
  • Ball valves
  • Tri–clamp fittings

Dixon Group Europe Ltd

Established in 1981, the company specializes in precision-engineered camlock fittings. Their products meet the ISO 9001 standard and the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC. Dixon's major products are:

  • Camlock fittings using Aluminum, Brass, Stainless steel, and polypropylene
  • Spool adapters
  • KC nipples

How to Choose Quality Industrial Valves and Camlock Fittings

  1. Check for Certification: You must ensure the industrial valve manufacturer has the necessary certifications.
  2. Confirm Material Standards: Choose your industrial valve and camlock fitting material according to the intended substance use. The material should withstand wear and tear from the medium, environmental factors, and usage frequency.
  3. Check Supplier Reputation: It is always wise to seek as much information about a supplier as possible. Customer reviews are a good source of knowing your camlock fitting supplier's reputation.

Συμπέρασμα

It is essential to pair the right industrial valve with an efficient camlock fitting. You must select the proper industrial valve to control flow and regulate pressure, and the same is true for camlock fittings.

When buying an industrial valve or a camlock fitting, source your products from reputable and certified suppliers. You will get high-quality products, and they can advise on the right material for your job. You should also check the reputation of the industrial valve manufacturer through previous customer reviews.

You can download our product guide to explore our wide range of industrial valves and camlock fittings. You can also contact our experts with any queries and for advice on the right industrial valve or camlock fitting for your system.

Συχνές ερωτήσεις

1. What are the most common types of industrial valves used in manufacturing and processing plants?

The most common types include ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, and butterfly valves. Each is designed to control flow in specific industrial settings.

2. How do Camlock fittings work in high-pressure hose connections?

Camlock fittings use cam arms to lock hoses together securely. So, they create a leak-proof seal ideal for quick connections in high-pressure applications.

3. What is the difference between ball valves and gate valves in industrial applications?

Ball valves offer fast, quarter-turn shutoff, while gate valves provide slower, linear flow control. They are both suited to different flow management needs.

4. Which materials are best for Camlock fittings used in chemical transfer systems?

Stainless steel and polypropylene Camlock fittings are commonly used in chemical applications due to their corrosion resistance and durability.

5. Where can I buy high-quality industrial valves and Camlock fittings online?

Reputable online suppliers include Camlock Systems Ltd, Lowe & Fletcher Ltd, and ProCamlock. They all offer a wide selection of industrial-grade components online.

6. How to install and maintain Camlock fittings for long-term industrial use?

Ensure proper alignment, secure cam arms tightly, and inspect seals regularly to maintain performance and prevent leaks or corrosion.

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