Mechanical Technology

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Mechanical Technology — November 2015 31
⎪ Local manufacturing and beneficiation ⎪
The AZ-Armaturen Group has further developed its high
quality plug valve range with the positive result of a
very safe, reliable and modular sealing and mount-
ing arrangement. AZ-Armaturen is a German-owned
global manufacturer of plug valves, special valves and allied
products. AZ-Armaturen South Africa is the only South African
manufacturer of sleeved, self-lubricating plug valves and the
leading supplier in sub-Saharan Africa. The AZ Group has fur-
ther production plants in Germany, Brazil and China, which all
manufacture the valves according to the same German design
and highest international valve standards.
The design of the new plug valve range sets the quality
benchmark high for valves used in hazardous, dangerous and
difficult applications where high reliability is needed. The
modular design provides maximum flexibility, so that the basic
valve can easily be modified according to customer require-
ments. In more detail, the new ISO-standard design provides
advantages such as:
• The valves are free of cavities, to minimise maintenance
requirements.
• Shaft and cover sealing is improved.
• Safety seals have been added to prevent fugitive emission
of aggressive and toxic media.
• The actuator-mounting flange complies with the ISO 5211
standard.
• A modular approach has been adopted for maximised flex-
ibility.
• The plug is easily accessible for adjustment.
Improved valve design sets new quality benchmark
AZ-Armaturen has further
developed its plug valve
range for improved safety,
reliability, modularity,
better sealing and
simpler mounting.
• A patented cardanic di-
hedron coupling has been
incorporated.
• The vacuum tightness is improved.
• The range is compliant with various
international valve standards, such as
the fire-safe API 607 standard.
After an extensive and success-
ful development, test and
implementation phase at
the German headquarters,
AZ-Armaturen South Af-
rica is now going to supply
the new valve design to
the sub-Saharan market
from early 2016. The South
African manufacturing plant is
preparing and implementing the
new production processes that are needed
for the new design and is building up its stock of
all the necessary raw materials and finished products in order
to be able to deliver with short lead times
The implementation phase has been systematically planned
over a period of several months to make sure that the delivery
times can be kept short. AZ-Armaturen is convinced that the
new valve will provide higher reliability, advanced safety fea-
tures, more flexibility and it will strengthen AZ’s position as
leading manufacturer of high quality plug valves. q