Emerson recently announced its new Aventics Series 625 Sentronic Proportional Pressure Control Valves. With a control deviation of less than 0.5%, the new valves are designed to deliver highly accurate, electronic proportional pressure control and provide the flexibility needed to support sophisticated pneumatic control engineering applications. Data acquisition software (DaS) software included with Series 625 […]

When we delve into the realm of linear actuators used in industrial fluid power, our minds often gravitate towards the familiar, such as NFPA and mill-type for hydraulics, or compact round-line or extruded-aluminum body cylinders for pneumatics. These are the tried and tested construction styles. However, a lesser-known yet highly innovative player in this field […]

AutomationDirect has added Metal Work series 70 valves to their valves and pneumatic components categories. Metal Work is a trusted name in pneumatics and several new valve types are available, including toggle and axial lever manual valves, push-pull manual valves, mechanically operated air valves (mechanical limit switch valves), pushbutton air valves, air pilot valves, and […]

Alkon Corp., a provider of pneumatic components and systems, is proud to announce the launch of two groundbreaking products: the Lightning Lift-Axle Valve and Module-AIR. Engineered to revolutionize trailer performance and reliability, these innovative products offer unparalleled accuracy, configurability, and durability for the transportation industry. The Lightning Lift-Axle Valve sets a new standard in trailer […]

A compressed air auditor was assessing a compressor and dryer installation within a compressor room and noticed something strange. On a large air dryer, the outlet flange was of 6-in. size, yet the piping used to connect the compressors and filters to the air dryer was only 4-in. Further to this, the long piping link […]

Measuring and repairing compressed air leaks can easily reduce energy costs by 10 to 20%. Compressed air is used in factories all over the world to control machines, processes, and pneumatic equipment. It is a safe and easily available medium and can be used in all possible places via hoses and pipes. However, compressed air […]

A compressed air auditor had a system of measuring devices that was monitoring a compressed air system located in a metal foundry. Pressure, flow, and compressor power were all monitored to help determine if the system was running efficiently and effectively. An additional set of instruments were added to the monitoring suite due to some […]

A compressed air auditor visited a large mine and was asked to look for areas of improvement. The mine’s manager was interested in reducing the electrical consumption and had a hunch that the compressed air system was a good item to investigate. The facility was a very mature site, so there were many large compressors […]

Recently, a compressed air auditor ran across a newly rebuilt compressor at a wood products company. The unit was cleaned up nicely and had a shiny new air end due to a rebuild — but because the unit had obsolete controls, this compressor continued to run very inefficiently. Saving money by rebuilding this compressor was […]

Managing pressure regulation in applications with low pressures and low flows is easy with the Proportion-Air QBX electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator. With customizable pressure ranges and accurate, repeatable results, these compact devices can improve application performance in nearly any environment. The QBX boasts accuracy of up to ±0.2% and repeatability of ±0.02%, regulating pressures from […]

Quite often, people are surprised when they measure an air compressor and find the motor is consuming more than rated amps. One of the unfortunate things about the industry is that it is common to see motors are being stretched into the “service factor” in order to get more cfm out of a given compressor […]

Clippard’s high flow pinch valve provides the same functionality as the standard series but with the added benefits of a longer stroke. This makes it suitable for applications that require greater flow or those that use viscous or particulate-laden media. As with all Clippard pinch valves, each valve comes pre-installed with 12 in. (30 cm) […]

One hidden problem in many compressed air systems is something called “artificial demand.” Many users are unaware of the effects of this component of compressed air demand as evidenced by higher than needed compressed air pressures on most systems.  Artificial demand in a compressed air system refers to the excess consumption of compressed air caused […]

Automation24 proudly announces the addition of Norgren pneumatic components to its portfolio. With this strategic move, Automation24 broadens its scope and capabilities to better serve its customers. Norgren air preparation products currently offered by Automation24 include regulators, filters, combination units (filter/regulator/lubricator), valves, and accessories. These proven air preparation products are built to overcome the common […]

Compressed air is useful for very many important tasks in facilities. However, due to the high cost of producing it, there are some end uses that are very wasteful. Air conditioning and ventilation is one such inappropriate end use. In a recent survey, a compressed air auditor found a surprisingly unique waste of compressed air […]

When the equipment is new and set up correctly, the coordination of VSD air compressors with fixed speed units is quite easy — if the number of compressors in the mix is four or less. Typically, what should happen is the VSD compressor maintains trim position with all combinations of fixed speed compressors providing base […]

A compressed air audit at a metal parts painting plant yielded some puzzling results. Pressure loggers were placed at the compressor discharge and in the plant, but the readings were showing an unexpected and significant pressure drop between the instruments. Visual checks showed that the only thing between the loggers was an air dryer with […]

By Ron Marshall You may have noticed some email signatures displaying the Certified CCASS symbol — and have become curious as to how that’s earned. Anyone, if properly prepared, can become certified by writing and passing an exam. The ease in preparing for the CAGI (Compressed Air and Gas Institute) Certified Compressed Air System Specialist […]

ControlAir LLC today announced the introduction of the new Type 410 high precision pressure regulator. The Type 410 provides a high level of regulation accuracy and repeatability during variable operating conditions. Designed with precision and reliability in mind, the Type 410 serves as a cost-effective yet highly efficient solution for controlling industrial processes. Despite its […]

Spartan Scientific announces the launch of its Series 5000 Operator System. Designed to meet the demands of applications requiring higher pressures and increased flow rates, the Series 5000 fills a void in the market for reliable, high-performance solenoid solutions. Featuring a range of orifice sizes from 0.6 to 4.0 mm, and available in both 2-way […]

A compressed air auditor was monitoring a system in a plant that produces plastic film. Part of the measurement involved analyzing the flow from the compressor room and the dewpoint of the compressed air. When examining the data, a strange pattern developed on the flow and dewpoint profiles (Fig. 1). We can see the output […]

Pneumatic grippers are revered for being an economical, easy-to-maintain solution with high force density. However, force control and precision can prove challenging, especially when handling delicate parts and parts of different sizes. Sensory feedback is essential in such applications to measure parameters such as the force applied, object position, and speed. Position sensing is especially […]

No one wants air compressor oil contaminating production. And in food processing applications, quality and safety are essential. E2M Kitchen, a fresh and ready-to-eat meal provider, knows this all too well. The Charlotte-based company significantly evolved its food preparation and packaging process for creating gluten-free, dairy-free, and preservative-free meals. Every tool used in its production […]

Machinery builders and OEMs save space and improve functionality by applying electro-pneumatic I/O and solenoid systems throughout their equipment. By: Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect For machine builders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) alike, there is an increasing push to deliver smarter, more modular, and physically compact systems. Among the many design choices required to make this […]

Pressure regulation applications that require sensitive, high-resolution performance have found success with the Proportion-Air QPV series electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator. The QPV line boasts accuracy of up to ±0.2% and resolution of ±0.005%, regulating pressures up to 150 psig or equivalent. Calibration of ranges as low as 0-2 inches of water column are possible. These […]