High precision volume metering with epicycloids vanes made of VICTREX® PEEK™

Firma Digmesa AG based in Ipsach/CH markets the Flowmeter EPI, which is specially designed for the fluid volume measurement of high viscosity media such as syrup, oil or detergent concentrate. As a result of its special construction and thanks to its epicycloids vanes made of PEEK™ polymer, the Flowmeter EPI provides high precision operation and enables very accurate volume metering with minimum pressure loss.

Volume metering using the Flowmeter EPI is based on two epicycloid turbines that are driven by the medium flowing past them, with the relative position of the two vanes to each other being controlled by gear wheels that engage in each other. Magnets integrated in the turbines then generate measurable pulses using an electronic system. Depending on the viscosity of the medium, which may be between approximately 5 and 8000 centistokes, flow rates from 0.06 to 16 l/min can be recorded with an accuracy of ± 1% and very little pressure loss.

The low pressure loss, which has been measured at less than 0.23 bar for a flow rate of 5 l/min of cola syrup (approx. 24 centistokes), can only be achieved by the ease of movement and geometric precision of the turbines, in other words the gaps between the engaging vane wheels and between the vanes and the casing must have very low tolerances.

This reproducible tolerance requirement is another reason why the easy flowing Victrex® PEEK™ polymer was chosen as the material for injection moulding the vanes.

The Swiss company Plastechnik manufactures both the hollow bodies and the covers for the vanes using non-reinforced Victrex® PEEK™ polymer, whereby the hollow body and cover are welded to each other after the pulse generator has been fitted. One of the main benefits of using PEEK™ polymer is its excellent resistance to chemicals, which is why these flowmeters can also be used for the volume metering of lots of aggressive media, even at high temperatures. In addition, non-reinforced Victrex® PEEK™ polymer complies with the regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), extending the range of its applications to the food processing industry.

Reader enquiries

Helen Swarbrick
Victrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom

Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
+44 1253 897700
info@​victrex.com
www.victrex.com

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Notes for editors

Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £59m in the last financial year. The company exports 97 percent of its Victrex® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com

In Switzerland sales and technical advice are available from Cellpack AG: http://www.cellpack.com

The PEEK™ Trademark

For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyetheretherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the Victrex® PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.