For the latest information on a variety of pneumatics topics, Pneumatic Tips presents our featured articles. These pneumatics articles were handpicked to provide you with the up-to-date news and information you need. Browse our list of featured articles today and learn more about the exciting world of pneumatic design.
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 hydrolysis, oil and cold resistance. Available in four colors, 16mm polyurethane tubing starts at $114. A variety of 16mm push-to-connect fittings are also available.
NITRA brass adapter fittings and plugs are available in 10 different styles to meet most pneumatic applications such as air, water, oil, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. Machined from yellow brass bar stock or forging, the fittings withstand pressure up to 800 psi. Designed with NPT threaded connections, male and female connectors are available in 1/8-to 1/2-in. sizes, in either two-pack or five-pack quantities.
Also added are quick-disconnect fittings which allow easy changing of tools or hose connections. Plugs and couplers, in 1/4.in and 3/8-in. sizes, are available in Industrial Interchange manual or automatic and universal automatic styles. Male and female fittings are NPT threaded and withstand pressure up to 250 psi. Swivel fittings made of chrome-plated steel with maximum pressure of 145 psi are also available.
NITRA aluminum manifolds withstand maximum pressure up to 500 psi and are available in two styles. Round manifolds feature one 3/8-in. NPT threaded input and either two or three 1/4-in. NPT outputs. Rectangular manifolds have 1/2-in. NPT inputs on either end and have either three or five 1/4-in. NPT outputs. Manifold prices start at $6.75.
NITRA blowguns (or nozzles) are available in heavy-duty palm type with safety tip, pistol grips (aluminum and plastic models), pocket, and plastic grip with flexible nozzles in various lengths. The blowguns have a maximum input pressure of 120 psi and start at $4.25. Additional NITRA accessories include 1/2-in. thread sealant tape and a 2-in. tubing cutter.
Technology-neutral selection of electric and pneumatic drives
Users often make the choice of drive technology—pneumatic or electric—on the basis of experience alone. However, in order to identify the most energy-efficient customer solution in the field of automation, a technology-neutral comparison is required.
With the engineering software PositioningDrives, users require just a few key data in order to arrive at the right solution. Which electro-mechanical linear actuator best meets requirements? All that is needed is the input of position values, the payload and the installation position, and the software will suggest an optimized solution.
A common dimensioning process for mechanical drive and transmission components and motors prevents a duplication of safety factors, which would result in over-dimensioned electric drive systems and a waste of energy. Calculations have shown that with consistent use of Positioning Drives for dimensioning, energy costs can be reduced by up to 70%.
Correct dimensioning
A similar Festo dimensioning software program helps users select the right-sized pneumatic drive. Excessively large cylinders consume air unnecessarily, while cylinders that are too small need to be operated at the maximum permissible pressure. High system pressures waste money. Air consumption can also be reduced through the use of single-acting cylinders wherever possible.
When Festo dimensioning software is used for pneumatic dimensioning, simulations take the place of costly real-life testing of the entire pneumatic control chain. If a parameter is changed, the program automatically adapts all the other parameters. When users configure a pneumatic control chain, the program ensures that all the system components are the optimum size. This makes it possible to reduce pressure losses, pressure levels and tubing size. In the planning of the pneumatic system, short electric cables and compressed air lines help save energy.
A further factor in choosing a drive technology is that electrical systems can be overloaded for a short time only, while pneumatic systems can be overloaded over a longer period. It is therefore usually possible to use smaller sized components.
Stepper-controlled pneumatic proportional valve
Cincinnati—Using a robust and powerful linear actuator, the high-flow stepper-controlled 2-way proportional valve features excellent performance and durability.
The bonded elastomeric seat achieves excellent sealing ensuring smooth opening and fine control at low flow for millions of cycles. Also features 2% hysteresis, excellent linearity (2.5% of full scale), and 2 ms reaction time. A flow range of 0 to 300 slpm is standard, however this product is highly modifiable for OEM applications including alternate body materials, flow profiles, cartridge styles, manifold mounting, etc.
This valve is suitable for applications including medical, analytical, and industrial automation requiring high resolution, high flow, and low hysteresis. In addition, the design allows for custom flow profiles when required.
Clippard also provides custom solutions for specific needs, including special configurations, manifolds, and pneumatic products.
Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc.
2011 in review
January 5, 2012 by pheney
Filed under Featured, Industry News
When 2011 started, I would have expected that the triennial IFPE show would have been the talk of the year. And the show was an impressive one, with more than 400 exhibitors, 100,000+ attendees at the combined co-located shows (including CONEXPO and CON/AGG) and a wonderful technical conference. But what I find perhaps most significant for the industry was how three of the main fluid power organizations came together in a joint effort to discuss efficiency.
In November, the NFPA, IFPS and FPDA all co-sponsored the first-ever Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference, a two-day event that dealt with this critical topic. Given that CCEFP research shows that between 2.3% and 3.0% of the energy consumed in the U.S. is transmitted through fluid power systems, and that the average efficiency of those systems is a mere 21%, it’s clear that there is work to be done. And that work could have drastic consequences. A 5% improvement in system efficiency over the next 5 years would mean a savings of between 9 and 11 BILLION dollars. That shows why the industry needs to focus on continual improvement in efficienct, from both the component design and the system design level. Hopefully, funding for critical programs like the CCEFP and the Compressed Air Challenge, will continue—and even increase.
I was also impressed with 2011’s unveiling of the Altair BUSolutions prototype, a series hydraulic bus that achieves 6.9 mpg compared to 3.3 mpg for a same class diesel bus. With companies like Parker Hannifin and Eaton heavy into refuse trucks and UPS delivery vehicles, the techology has been proven, and it seems logical for city buses to become the next big target. A lot of further improvements have to be made to consider such systems for larger SUVs, but the idea that they could someday make their way into the consumer vehicle market is not as farfetched as it was even a few years ago.
Beyond that, it has been interesting the watch how fluid power continues to grow online. iPad and iPhone apps, from our own Design World magazine, as well as companies like Trelleborg and Bosch Rexroth, continue to sprout. And websites are being redesigned outright or adding great functionality—Bimba, Peter Paul, Control Air and Norgren, just to name a few.
Looking forward to a great 2012—and continuing to bring you all the latest fluid power news, technology, training and more.
All-stainless-steel cylinders now offered in 12 bore sizes
University Park, Ill.—Bimba Manufacturing Co. has announced the expansion of its industry-leading Original Line product series. Previously available in only 4 bore sizes, Bimba extended its All Stainless Original Line series to now include all 12 bore sizes currently available across the product line (5/16- through 3-in. bore).
Featuring stainless steel end caps, standard urethane wipers, PTFE-based rod and pivot bushings and food-grade synthetic grease, this non-repairable actuator is ideal for wash down application environments common in the food processing industry.
“While these cylinders have been designed with the food and beverage industry in mind, their all stainless steel construction makes them ideal for any application that requires corrosion resistance,” said Jerry Scherzinger, Bimba’s Product Marketing Manager. “This is a natural expansion of our line of all stainless steel actuators that will provide a wider range of sizes for our customers requiring corrosion resistant designs.”
New bag lips designed to handle bags and pouches
Hingham, Mass.—Piab has launched a variety of new parts specifically designed for the piGRIP suction cup, the first modular suction cup on the market.
Available in three diameters, the new piGRIP Bag Lip has been developed to handle bags and pouches more efficiently than any other available suction cup on the market. This is clearly an outstanding suction cup for bag handling purposes. The special lip design in combination with the rigid and strong piGRIP bellows/body allows for bag handling speeds and accelerations never seen before in automation equipment for bags. Beside regular plastic bags for dry food (e.g. chips), the new piGRIP Bag Lips have been designed to have an excellent grip on stand-up-pouches filled with liquid or dry/wet food/substances. The lip material is FDA approved.
With this capability to handle faster accelerations and more high speed lifts, machines can run at faster speeds leading to shorter production cycles, and increasing overall productivity. The bag lips perform best at low vacuum levels with small amounts of vacuum flow, thus saving energy on the vacuum pump side.
Reliable functionality can be gained by using Piab’s new Flow Restrictors for the piGRIP suction cup. When handling different sized non-leaking parts with a lifting device, sometimes the suction cups can miss the object causing the vacuum pump to work harder to replace leaking air flow or to even drop the part itself. The Flow Restrictor reduces the leakage flow as it has a small bore hole to minimize leakage on open suction cups while still being able to safely and reliably handle the part with those cups still making contact.
Push-on fittings are now available from Piab for the piGRIP suction cup. Easy retrofits of other push-on cups are now a snap.
Being a modular product, the piGRIP suction cup consists of a separate lip, bellows and fitting. The bellows section has an addition of an extra-long bellows with 6 folds, doubling the height of what is currently available. This extra-long stroke allows gripping of parts in narrow deep places where it can perform the job of a more expensive cylinder. The 6-Bellows is available for all piGRIP cup sizes.
Bimba unveils new website, customer tools
December 1, 2011 by pheney
Filed under Featured, Industry News
University Park, Ill.—Bimba Manufacturing has debuted a new website, featuring an updated look and improved functionality. The redesign includes state-of-the-art technical features, reorganized and updated content, and rich multimedia applications.
Enhanced CAD drawing functionality and interactivity leads the suite of new features on the website, changing the way users can view and download CAD drawings. Now CAD drawings are integrated within each respective product page where a tabbed menu provides the option to download drawings, view product dimensions, materials and a 3D preview—all in one place. CAD models can also be downloaded with the mates and constraints intact, so customers don’t have to take the extra time to reconfigure this information.
“Research shows CAD accessibility has a big impact on the way design engineers choose partners, and can save them two to four hours per project,” said Scott Meldeau, Bimba’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “With that in mind, we want to make sure our CAD modeling is extremely user-friendly.”
Navigating Bimba’s extensive product breadth will also be easier with a streamlined product menu organized into five logical categories. The website utilizes accordion technology, a web control that allows users to view multiple panes and display them one at a time within the same page.
“Our goal is to enable our customers to find, size and order the products they need as easily as possible,” said Bimba Marketing Manager, Tom Wood. “This tool simplifies navigation and eliminates the need to click back and forth between pages.”
A new product category, BimbaBreakthroughs, highlights products that got their start in the Bimba Design Center, where customers submit design requests for Bimba’s expert engineers. These solutions are now available to all customers and featured in this new product section.
High-tech spider is suitable for hazardous missions
Spiders are very agile, and some can even jump. Researchers have now designed a mobile robot modeled on the same principle that moves spider legs. Created using a 3D printing process, this lightweight robot can explore terrain that is beyond human reach.
Enviably agile and purposeful, the mobile robot makes its way through grounds rendered off-limits to humans as the result of a chemical accident. Depressions, ruts and other obstacles are no match for this eight-legged high-tech journeyman. With a camera and measurement equipment on board, it will provide emergency responders with an image of the situation on the ground, along with any data about poisonous substances. Not an easy task—after all, it must be prevented from tipping over. But this risk seems a minor one as it confidently and reliably picks its way through the area. As a real spider would, it keeps four legs on the ground at all times while the other four turn and ready themselves for the next step.
Even in its appearance, this artificial articulate creature resembles an octopod. And no wonder—the natural specimen provided the model for researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. This high-tech assistant is still a prototype, but future plans envision its use as an exploratory tool in environments that are too hazardous for humans, or too difficult to get to. After natural catastrophes and industrial or reactor accidents, or in fire department sorties, it can help responders, for instance by broadcasting live images or tracking down hazards or leaking gas.
With its long extremities, the spider has a range of ways to get around. Some models can even jump. This is possible using hydraulically operated bellows drives that serve as joints and keep limbs mobile. With no muscles to stretch their legs, these creatures build up high levels of body pressure that they then use to pump fluid into their limbs. Shooting fluid into the legs extends them. “We took this mobility principle and applied it to our bionic, computer-controlled lightweight robot. Its eight legs and body are also fitted with elastic drive bellows that operate pneumatically to bend and extend its artificial limbs,” said Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Becker, a scientist at IPA.
The components required for locomotion, such as the control unit, valves and compressor pump, are located in the robot‘s body; the body can also carry various measuring devices and sensors, depending on the application at hand. Hinges interoperate with the bellows drives so that the legs can move forward and turn as needed. Diagonally opposed members move simultaneously, too. Bending the front pairs of legs pulls the robotic spider‘s body along, while stretching the rear extremities pushes it.
The special aspect of this high-tech helper: not only very light, it also combines rigid and elastic shapes in a single component; with just a few production steps, it can also be produced at low cost. To date, designs such as the mobile robot have been generated using conventional mechanical-engineering technologies—a time-consuming and costly undertaking. Researchers at IPA, on the other hand, rely on generative production technologies, and specifically on selective laser sintering (SLS) of plastics, a 3D printing process. In this process, step by step thin layers of a fine polyamide powder are applied one at a time and melted in place with the aid of a laser beam. This way, complex geometries, inner structures and lightweight components can be produced – with structures optimized much as if produced by Nature herself. The experts at IPA have a great deal of latitude in the design of their mobile robot; the leg modules, for instance, can be designed with infinitely variable load-bearing characteristics.
“We can use SLS to produce one or even several legs in a single operation; this minimizes assembly effort, saves materials and reduces the time it takes to build a robot. With the modular approach, individual parts can be quickly swapped as well. Our robot is so cheap to produce that it can be discarded after being used just once—like a disposable rubber glove,“ Becker said.
Fluid power energy efficiency conference is a hit
November 18, 2011 by pheney
Filed under Featured, Industry News
Jon Jensen of SMC, Immediate Past President of the International Fluid Power Society, opened up the first Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference at the Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel on Tuesday. Jensen explained that the registered attendance was 107, an excellent showing for a first-time event.
What I found most impressive was that this represented a first-ever collaboration (that I know of) between the three main fluid power organizations here in the U.S.—the IFPS, the National Fluid Power Association and the Fluid Power Distributors Association. While the three groups are not strictly competitive in nature, there is certainly some overlap between them, and it was refreshing to see them work together to advance the interests of fluid power technology.
Kim Stelson of the University of Minnesota and the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (photo above right) kicked off the presentations with some inspiring numbers.
Fluid power transmits between 2.3 and 3.0% of the energy consumed in the U.S. The average efficiency of a fluid power system is 21% So, a 5% improvement over 5 years, simply using best practices, would result in annual savings of $9-11 BILLION dollars and an annual reduction of 33 million metric tons of CO2.
Stelson also pointed out sources of inefficiency, including:
• Inefficient designs (throttling valves)
• Inefficient components (inappropriate pump for the application, inappropriate fluid)
• Ineffective control (need to add sensors and actuators)
• Poorly sized components (too large for application)
• Poorly maintained systems
Hygienically safe pneumatic drives suitable for food/beverage use
Hauppage, N.Y.—Self-adjusting cushioning PPS from Festo Corp. means an end to time consuming adjustments when setting the correct cushioning with hygienic pneumatic cylinders. The cushioning system, available as an option with the Clean Design cylinder DSBF and the stainless-steel round cylinder CRDSNU, makes commissioning easier and also saves time. The system also makes it possible to achieve dynamic yet gentle cushioning at the end positions of a cylinder without manual intervention.
Saving time
Previously, users had to adjust the pneumatic end-position cushioning integrated into the cylinder manually, which had a negative impact on cycle times and noise levels. What is more, manual adjustment of cushioning took time, making the commissioning of installations a lengthy process, particularly those which included a large number of drives that required cushioning.
Festo’s self-adjusting cushioning PPS now ensures that the cushioning is always set correctly without needing any manual work on the part of the user, even if parameters such as friction and pressure change. It also reduces the acceleration forces acting on machine components and work pieces. This in turn reduces wear and minimizes time-consuming vibration. Furthermore, self-adjusting cushioning is less expensive and more robust than shock absorbers. Thanks to PPS, there is no need for an adjusting screw. This makes the cylinder easier to clean.
The right seal every time
The sealing materials and lubricating grease used have FDA approval for use with food. The modular sealing system means the right seal for every application: FDA-compliant standard seals for a long service life, FDA-compliant seals for grease-free operation, and variants for high temperatures up to 248° F (120° C) and low temperatures, down to -40° F (-40° C).
Rigid and precise
The guided drive DGRF with its compact design combines precision with torsional rigidity. Thanks to its smooth surfaces, large radii, and unique ease of cleaning, dirt deposits and corrosion are a thing of the past with this cylinder. Its precision guide will make it a popular choice for many applications in the food, beverage, and packaging industries, wherever high force and accuracy are required. There is also an optional variant for grease-free operation in applications subject to intensive cleaning.
Easy-to-clean accessories
Suitable proximity sensors are available that are resistant to cleaning agents, heat, and mold. The cylinder sensor SMT-C1, for example, can be mounted directly on both the DGRF and DSBF, using the sensor rail.
The tubing/fitting combination PLN/NPQP can be assembled quickly and easily and ensures long-term trouble-free operation, even in corrosive environments subject to intensive cleaning. The fitting NPQP is thus a practical alternative to costly stainless-steel fittings.
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