Here are some best practices to supply safe, clean and dry air to a machine or piece of equipment. Contributed by Pat Phillips, Product Manager, Fluid Power & Mechanical Products at AutomationDirect Plant-supplied compressed air often travels a long and varying path from the air compressor to where it is connected to a machine or piece […]
Pneumatic pushbutton and selector switch pilot devices from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect’s NITRA brand of pneumatic products now includes new 22-mm pushbutton and switch pilot devices intended for use with pneumatic valve bodies. These pneumatic pushbuttons can also combine valve bodies and electrical contact blocks. ECP series 22 mm pneumatic pushbuttons and switches are used with EVP series valve bodies to create manual valve assemblies, or […]
Innovative pneumatics are realized in subsystem design
Innovation in pneumatics is often found in the way components are put together to create subsystems, instead of within the components. Contributed by Pat Phillips, PE, Product Manager for AutomationDirect, Fluid Power and Mechanical Product Div. Pneumatics have been used in industrial machines and manufacturing plants and facilities for decades, so most of the […]
Tubing versus hose in pneumatic systems
The wires of the pneumatic world are tubing and hoses. Here’s how to choose between the two, and how to apply each in industrial plants and facilities. By Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect The world of fluid power may not be full of new and amazing products, but it’s used daily and requires connections via tubing and […]
Pneumatic actuators and grippers
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatics includes rotary actuators and pneumatic object grippers. NITRA rotary actuators are available in four body sizes with or without shock absorbers. All are double acting and have an adjustable travel range from zero to 190°. Anodized aluminum bodies include integral mounting slots for position switches and a durable ball-bearing hub, […]
Pneumatic design 101: Go with the flow
The benefits of pneumatic power can be realized by following some basic pneumatic design rules for specifying air preparation units, actuators and valves. Contributed by Chip McDaniel, Educational Specialist at AutomationDirect Compressed air use by industrial machines is a close second to the use of electricity in terms of cost, and well ahead of other […]
AutomationDirect adds NITRA pneumatic rotary actuators, grippers
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatics now includes rotary actuators and pneumatic object grippers. NITRA rotary actuators are available in four body sizes with or without shock absorbers. All are double acting and have an adjustable travel range from zero to 190 degrees. Anodized aluminum bodies include integral mounting slots for position switches and a durable […]
ProSense digital pressure gauges from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect’s ProSense DPG1 digital pressure gauges are suitable for industrial and general purpose applications requiring an accurate and reliable device with easy to read digital display. These DPG1 gauges have a 4-digit, 2-in. x 3/4-in. LCD display and 2-button operation. The display can operate in a continuously on mode, or an auto shut-off mode to […]
NITRA current to pneumatic (I/P) transducers added by AutomationDirect
NITRA NCP series electropneumatic transducers from AutomationDirect convert a 4-20 mA current signal (I) from a PLC or other controller to a linear pneumatic output pressure (P). Used in paper and paper converting, food and drug, petrochemical, HVAC, textile, and energy management industries, NCP Series I/P transducers provide highly reliable and repeatable operation of pneumatic […]
Safe pneumatic system design
Consider the following safety and design choices for control of pneumatic systems in automated equipment. By Pat Phillips • Product Manager, Fluid Power & Mechanical Products at AutomationDirect A safe pneumatic system design starts at the connection to a machine’s air preparation hardware and continues to correctly pairing valves with cylinders. This article reviews the […]
AutomationDirect adds Total Air Preparation (TAP) Units and Ethernet/IP (EIP) modules
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatics now includes new Total Air Prep (TAP) units and NITRA Ethernet/IP protocol compact modular valve (CMV series) modules. Both TAP units contain an automatic drain air filter with clogged filter indicator, relieving regulator, lockable shut-off valve, pressure gauge and air dump. Electric models also have an adjustable electric soft start […]
AutomationDirect adds fittings, tubing
AutomationDirect has launched a new line of push-to-connect fittings and tubing designed for potable water and beverage systems, including applications such as brewing, coffee/drink dispensing, soup and liquid food production, and municipal/residential water treatment. HydroMode push-to-connect fittings are perfect for use with polyethylene and other flexible tubing; all fittings are made of NSF approved materials […]
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New environments challenge pneumatic cylinders
The biggest change pneumatic cylinders have seen in the past couple of years has been environment-driven. Engineers are requiring better performance from their cylinders and they’re requiring it in much more demanding applications. These environments include, but are not limited to, medical, hydroforming, foundries, food processing and packaging and others. These demanding environments are pushing…
AutomationDirect Adds Pipeline Valves to NITRA line
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatics products now includes a wide selection of solenoid pipeline valves designed for control of media such as air, oil, water, and inert gas. All valves are two-position, normally-closed, spring return styles with 24VAC, 24VDC or 120 VAC solenoids, and are fitted with DIN-style wire connectors. Depending on series, valves are…
AutomationDirect Adds Stainless Steel Pneumatic Fittings
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatics products now includes a wide selection of stainless steel fittings designed to stand up to harsh chemicals and washdown situations. Available in NPT inch and BSPT (metric) sizes, the push-to-connect male fittings are made with 316 stainless steel bodies and 303 stainless steel gripping collets with internal Viton o-ring. These…
AutomationDirect expands tubing and fittings offering in pneumatics line
AutomationDirect has added new models of tubing and fittings to its NITRA line of pneumatic components, as well as blow guns and aluminum manifolds. Available in 100-and 250-ft lengths, NITRA 16mm polyurethane tubing has a shore A 98 hardness rating, provides tight outside diameter tolerance and has superior kink resistance. The ether-based tubing provides excellent…
Expanded tubing and hose line
AutomationDirect has added new tubing and hose options to its NITRA line of pneumatic components, including bonded straight and coiled styles. Available in 50-ft lengths, NITRA bonded polyurethane tubing is made by a continuous bonding process, resulting in a strong, organized, color-coded package with flexibility and kink resistance. The shore A 98 hardness rating provides…