WAREX Unveils Lightweight Butterfly Valves for Industrial Weighing Systems
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
WAREX Valve has introduced a new range of lightweight butterfly valves designed specifically for industrial weighing systems. Developed in DN 400 and DN 500 sizes, the new valves combine low weight, reliable sealing performance and reduced operating force, helping manufacturers improve equipment efficiency while simplifying installation and maintenance.
The new valves were developed in response to a customer requirement to significantly reduce the weight of components used in a weighing system without compromising sealing performance or operational reliability. The project focused on delivering a solution that would maintain bulk-solids tightness while ensuring smooth and dependable operation under demanding industrial conditions.
A key feature of the new design is the use of an aluminium valve disc, which plays a major role in reducing the overall weight of the assembly. In addition, WAREX redesigned the valve mechanism to minimise friction during operation, allowing the valve to open and close with much lower actuation force than conventional designs.
The lower operating force enables the use of a smaller and lighter pneumatic quarter-turn actuator. Both valve sizes are equipped with the Rotork RC240 actuator, which weighs only 4.9 kilograms in the selected configuration and delivers approximately 300 Nm of torque at an air pressure of 6 bar. This combination ensures reliable valve performance while contributing to significant weight savings across the complete assembly. The DN 400 valve, including the actuator, weighs only 22 kilograms, while the larger DN 500 version has a total weight of 31 kilograms. These figures represent a substantial reduction compared with conventional butterfly valves used in similar industrial applications.
According to WAREX, a standard DKZ 110 butterfly valve in the DN 500 size weighs approximately 62 kilograms. The newly developed customer-specific DN 500 version is therefore around 50 percent lighter than the company’s standard product of the same size.
The weight reduction becomes even more significant when compared with traditional grey cast iron valves. A conventional DN 500 butterfly valve made from grey cast iron can weigh as much as 150 kilograms. Against this benchmark, the new lightweight design reduces the overall weight by nearly 80 percent, offering considerable advantages in handling, transportation and system integration.
The lighter construction reduces the mechanical load placed on surrounding equipment and supporting structures. It also simplifies installation and maintenance by allowing operators to handle the valves more easily without heavy lifting equipment. These benefits can contribute to shorter installation times and lower overall maintenance costs for industrial operators.
WAREX said the compact valves are particularly suited for industrial weighing systems, mobile process equipment and installations where available space is limited. Their lightweight construction also makes them suitable for applications requiring frequent movement or where reducing structural load is a priority.
By combining lightweight materials, low-friction engineering and reliable sealing performance, the new butterfly valves expand WAREX’s portfolio of specialized industrial flow-control solutions. The development highlights the company’s focus on meeting customer-specific requirements while improving efficiency, operational reliability and ease of use across a wide range of industrial processing applications.