With its lifting capability of up to 35 lb, the piCOBOT L is particularly attractive for e-commerce, logistics, and warehouse applications as well as for assisting with the lifting of heavier items in production. It builds on the same technology platform as the original version, for example, it consists of a vacuum pump unit and […]
Compressed air fail: Small compressor
A power utility had a 100-psi station service compressed air system that was used infrequently for maintenance. Two 50-hp water-cooled compressors were installed to maintain system pressure during the high flows, but these were overkill for normal times when the compressed air flow was only about 10 cfm. To reduce the number of starts and […]
Bringing real-world pneumatic experiences to college students
As the fall semester for Purdue Polytechnic Institute rolled to a close earlier in December, students in the school’s capstone programs reached the half-way point on their efforts. Proportion-Air is sponsoring two capstone teams this school year. Both teams visited the company’s Indiana manufacturing facility in the fall semester, learning about manufacturing processes and asking […]
Compressed air fail: desiccant dryer with too much purge
An industrial compressed air user was having a difficult time with their high pressure compressed air system. The compressed air demand required instrument quality air, so a heatless desiccant air dryer was installed. The dryer uses activated alumina within its chambers to strip off the moisture from the compressed air flow using an adsorption process […]
Compressed air fail: Auto mode was forgotten
One little button click can save thousands of dollars in wasted electrical and maintenance costs on air compressors. Recently, a compressed air auditor encountered the same problem in two different plants; operators had failed to select “Auto Mode” on their compressors. Both units were 150-hp lubricated screw compressor installed in a system of multiple compressors. […]
Several AVAC ejector and sensor products available under the Piab brand
In August 2022, Piab acquired AVAC, adding innovative products for sealed applications to their automation components business. After months of preparation, a selection of AVAC’s product assortment, which includes some of the company’s most trusted bestsellers, is now available under the Piab brand. The new sub-range includes the Multi-Functional Ejector (MFE), a compact, stackable design […]
QB3 electro-pneumatic regulator meets pressure needs in higher flow situations
Manufacturing experts seeking precise pressure regulation for high-flow applications need look no further than the Proportion-Air QB3 proportional electro-pneumatic pressure regulator — a single device engineered for accuracy and customizable for an application’s specific needs. The QB3 pressure control valve is a complete electronic pressure regulating package consisting of a pilot unit with two solenoid […]
Metal Work Regtronic pneumatic transducers from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added Metal Work Regtronic series electro-pneumatic transducers that utilize two internal solenoid valves to convert an electronic signal from a PLC or other controller to a regulated precision linear pneumatic output pressure. This dual solenoid design eliminates continuous supply air consumption, reducing operational costs. Regtronic transducers feature a maximum output pressure range up […]
Precise and localized pneumatics complement advanced motion controls in packaging machines
Packaging machine manufacturer Coesia and its sister companies rely on system integration for efficient, precise and fast operations. With a focus on streamlined systems that reduce pouch or carton handoffs and offer the ability to move non-standard sized materials, Coesia companies R.A. Jones and MGS turn to modern motion control systems married with precision pneumatics […]
Flat parallel gripper for space-constrained applications
From recently completed production lines, Festo introduces the HPPF, an innovative flat parallel gripper that ranges in height from 19 to 41 mm among its four sizes: 8, 12, 16, and 20. The stroke ranges from a narrow 8 mm to a wide 80 mm, and gripping forces span from 60 to 377 N. HPPF […]
Compressed air fail: Dew point bump
A compressed air auditor was hired to have a close look at the main compressed air system at a farm implement manufacturing plant. Data collection instruments were placed on the system to measure pressure, flow, and power. The auditor also placed a dewpoint meter at the discharge of the compressor room, after the main air […]
5 reasons your pneumatic cylinder isn’t working
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic cylinders are essential in various industrial applications, providing the mechanical force needed to move loads, automate equipment, and perform countless other tasks. However, pneumatic cylinders encounter issues that impede their performance like other machine components. When your pneumatic cylinder isn’t working as expected, it can lead to downtime, reduced […]
Compressed air fail: Here’s a record you don’t want to break
One important item discussed in Compressed Air Challenge’s Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems seminars is leakage. The most common waste category is compressed air. When studies are done looking at leakage rates compared to the total amount of compressed air produced, on average somewhere between 20% and 30% is found at manufacturing facilities (Fig. 1). […]
Material handling system features new vacuum technology
A new tooling system allows auto manufacturers to construct vacuum-end effector tools with minimal design time — to meet their exact needs for critical applications, such as sheet metal stamping, die-casting, injection molding, thermoforming, and glass handling. Made of hard-coat anodized aluminium, the Piab Modular Automation Tooling (PMAT) is lightweight and easy to assemble on-site […]
How can you reduce air leaks without turning a wrench?
What if you could reduce all your leaks without turning a wrench? Well, it is possible with good pressure control. And sometimes it is as easy as turning a knob. The principle is shown in the following orifice chart, Fig. 1. As the pressure to a leak reduces by 1 psi, the flow consumed by […]
Helix connected platform provides real-time insights for compressed air systems
Ingersoll Rand announces the launch of its Helix Connected Platform, which provides valuable insights on compressed air systems to ensure reliability and extend equipment life. Developed for industrial applications to maximize uptime and peace of mind, the Helix Connected Platform provides continuous, real-time data monitoring for compressed air systems to enable maximum operational uptime. Advanced […]
Festo introduces its most compact parallel, angled, and radial grippers
From recently completed production lines, Festo introduces a new generation of competitively priced compact grippers that offer a host of advantages for precision electronics and small part assembly. The DHPC parallel gripper offers ≤ 0.01 mm repetition accuracy, while the DHWC angle and DHRC radial gripper variants offer ≤ 0.2 mm accuracy. The DHPC, DHWC, […]
Compressed air fail: Dead PFCs
One of many energy conservation measures available to industrial users is the use of pressure/flow control regulators. These are installed in systems to reduce the plant pressure while leaving the air compressors to operate within a wide pressure band, making them more efficient. A compressed air pressure/flow controller is a device used to regulate and […]
Electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator for high flow applications
Engineers and other manufacturing professionals looking for a single device that regulates pressure extremely accurately while handling high flows will find it in the Proportion-Air QB4 electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator. The QB4 pressure control valve is a complete electronic pressure regulating package consisting of a pilot unit with two solenoid valves, closed-loop electronic controls and […]
SITON silicon-free suction pads beat the heat in the plastics industry
20 years ago, COVAL first created SITON, an innovative, exclusive and patented silicone-free material. Its SITON suction pads are characterized not only by their non-marking capability, but also by their abrasion resistance and remarkable mechanical performance at temperatures of up to 160°C. SITON was originally developed to satisfy the specific requirements of the cosmetics industry, […]
Understanding connected pneumatics and how they benefit manufacturers
In future, updating pneumatic circuits through the IoT will help manufacturers stay current and benefit from the opportunities available to them. Contributed by Mike Parzych, Product Marketing Manager • Norgren Smart, internet-connected devices have become increasingly significant in all areas of life, and industry is no exception. The use of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics […]
Compressed air fail: Pony compressor
A large automotive service shop had two 100-hp compressors, one being a VSD, both available to supply the compressed air they needed for painting and body assembly of large vehicles. The load was full of peaks, and the maintenance staff needed up to 400 cfm to provide flow to paint booths and breathing air hoods […]
Piab strengthens its grip on palletizing with LBG-50
An unavoidable challenge when defining a new bag gripping system in a palletizing line is to get the exact measurements to align with the conveyor rollers for a smooth lifting and releasing process. This demands time-consuming analysis and design and, later, even more time for adaptation and adjustments. Furthermore, additional solutions may have to be […]
Compressed air fail: Penny pinching
A farm implement manufacturer expanded its facility about 15 years ago, and personnel decided they wanted a premium compressed air system. They purchased three very efficient two-stage premium compressors, one being a VSD, and connected the equipment with large piping to reduce pressure loss. Filters were mist-eliminator style to reduce pressure loss. Air dryers were […]
Are pneumatic technologies at risk of becoming obsolete?
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending Pack Expo in Las Vegas for the first time in about five years. I’ve always enjoyed that show, seeing all the packaging machinery and conveyors operating, watching the pneumatics and motion control technologies do what they do best. But I did notice one thing this year — a […]