By Ron Marshall A compressed air system used for engine start duty needed a new air compressor. The old unit had been troublesome and it was difficult to get parts. The purchasing department was asked for quotes for a new unit and obtained three bids from various suppliers. In comparing the prices for the replacement, the […]
Piab’s unveils end-of-arm tooling line
Piab is introducing a new line of robotic End-Of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) products, enabling customers to build automated systems that perfectly fit their specific applications. Piab’s complete set of off-the-shelf standard components can be used to solve the real automation challenges facing manufacturers. Made up of several different families of components, the new EOAT line offers […]
Does compressed air blow your budget?
By Ron Marshall One of the most common ways to waste compressed air is to use it for blowing dust or debris. Compressed air is often directed at equipment to clean the dust that has settled on the surfaces. But when you think about it, reintroducing this dust into the atmosphere, only to settle on […]
Compressed Air Fail: VSD replacement
A rail yard purchased and installed a 100-hp variable speed drive compressor for supply of maintenance activities in their repair shop — and to supply air to the yard to charge train braking systems. They did everything right, purchasing a large storage receiver, desiccant dryer with dew point control, oversized filters, and a pressure/flow controller […]
piPUMP offers vacuum without the frills
Piab is introducing piPUMP23, a powerful vacuum pump aimed at automated industrial procedures involving, for instance, packaging, sheet metal and wood products. The new pump offers the same premium vacuum ejection performance and energy-efficiency as piCOMPACT23, the company’s popular all-in-one vacuum generator. However, not included are the advanced integrated controls and additional features of piCOMPACT23, […]
Should you believe what your air dryer tells you?
Dry compressed air is so very important to the operation of a compressed air system. Having free water in your pipes causes rust to form in the internal surfaces of iron piping — which mixes with dirt, water and lubricant to form a black sticky mess that can travel down steam and contaminate your tools […]
How is compressed air different in cold weather?
When cold weather hits, it can cause havoc with outdoor compressed air lines if the dew point of the air not adequate. Moisture will form if pipes are exposed to cold temperatures, and if conditions are below freezing ice will form and cause line blockages, restricting the compressed air flow and causing low pressure. Often […]
How can you get instant morning air with your compressed air system?
Many people realize that turning off their compressed air at night and on weekends saves energy and operating costs, especially if the system has a significant number of leaks. While you should try to minimize the leaks to less than 10% of your average flow, hitting the stop button when you go home can save […]
Knowledge is power in compressed air
A little bit of knowledge is said to be a dangerous thing, so the key to success is to get a lot of knowledge. Knowledge = Power when it comes to your compressed air system, or should we say it may lead to a “reduction in power.” A very big driver in causing companies to […]
Compressed air fail: Check valves
A food processor increased its production capacity and installed a rental compressor to feed the new load. Previous compressors were lubricated type with refrigerated dryers. The new compressor was a 200-hp oil-free variety with heatless desiccant dryer. A 1,060-gal storage tank was installed to work with the compressor, which operated in load/unload mode. A compressed air […]