By installing pneumatic cylinder seals in your machinery, more control is gained over the system and thus your process runs smoothly and efficiently. Pneumatic Tips helps you stay up to date on the latest pneumatic cylinder seals news. Subscribe to us today to ensure that you’re always in the know about pneumatic cylinder seals and other pneumatic components.

Parallel grippers feature heavy-duty T-slot design

New Hyde Park, N.Y.—A new series of 2-finger parallel grippers from Techno-Omil feature heavy-duty T-slot design. Identified as the OPP2-…. Series, these 9 grippers feature a stroke range of from 12 mm to 72 mm and a gripping force of from 420 N to 8410 N. Their range of operating pressure is from 2 to 8 bar. The housings are made of high tensile hard-coated aluminum alloy, hard anodized, and are completely maintenance-free for the first 1.5 million cycles.

Techno Inc. offers a line of grippers including 2-finger, 3-finger, 4-finger pneumatic grippers, 2-finger angular grippers, swivel units, hydraulic clamping/workholding blocks, linear actuators and more. Omil features a product line of grippers, swivels, linear actuators and hydraulic clamping blocks. Detailed specifications are contained in Catalog H940, available free upon request from Techno-Omil, 2101 Jericho Turnpike, P.O. Box 5416, New Hyde Park, NY 11042-5416.

Techno-Omil

RAP Box monitors energy savings

Designed by the Resource Efficiency and Conservation (RECON) division of Livingston & Haven, the RAP Box technology has already helped identify an estimated $1 million in energy savings for a major U.S. tire manufacturer and was recently purchased by a leading Southeastern pulp-and-paper company.

The RAP Box (or Resource And Production Box) can help companies achieve significant savings on energy at a time when energy costs can mean the difference between profit and loss. Some features:

• The RAP Box measures the energy used and production rate of most industrial machines.

• The data collected allows engineers to evaluate the performance of industrial systems, diagnose problems and recommend solutions.

• It can be installed on a company’s heating-and-air system and most industrial machines, indoors and out, and continuously monitors performance.

• The RAP Box transmits data to the internet “cloud” where it can be accessed and evaluated by RECON engineers. Customers also are trained to interpret RAP box data.

The RAP Box measures:
- Electricity used
- Pressure, temperature and flow of hydraulic fluids
- Pressure, temperature and flow of compressed air in pneumatic systems
- Machine cycle rates and stoppages
- Machine output w/ date and time stamps to match with energy consumption

Analysis of RAP Box data can help companies:
- Identify high energy consumption processes
- Detect leaks
- Evaluate and verify their energy efficiency programs
- Identify behavioral and policy changes needed to ensure wise use of resources
- Assign accurate energy cost allocation across manufacturing processes or work centers
- Comply with new international energy management standards (ISO 50001) that customers may demand of suppliers and manufacturers

Most industrial machines are designed to use energy and other resources at peak production levels, even when machines don’t require peak loads. The RAP Box helps companies better match a system’s use of energy and other resources with its actual demand.

Livingston & Haven

AutomationDirect adds heavy-duty air cylinders

AutomationDirect’s NITRA pneumatic product line now includes D-Series heavy-duty air cylinders suitable for applications where abusive conditions are a concern.

NITRA D-series heavy-duty air cylinders are interchangeable with other popular brands of NFPA cylinders. The heavy-duty double-acting cylinders are constructed with high quality aluminum components, including a magnetic piston fitted with a PTFE wear band. The magnetic piston can be used along with solid-state or reed switches for rod position sensing. The cylinders are also fitted with a Teflon-impregnated and hardcoat anodized heavy–duty external rod bearing to ensure smooth rod motion while maintaining rod rigidity and stability.

With a maximum operating pressure of 250 psi, this series includes bore sizes from 1-½ to 4 in.; depending on bore size, available stroke lengths range from 1 to 24 in.

Optional flange attachments, as well as nuts and rod clevises, are available. Prices for NITRA D-series NFPA air cylinders start at $95.50.

AutomationDirect

 

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.

Festo Corp.

Proper design requires knowledge of valve types

By William Miller, Humphrey Products

Valves used in the medical device industry are designed with precise specifications so they are compatible with the requirements of the applications. Meanwhile, valves used in factory automation are designed to work within specific safety regulations. Every project has unique requirements and choosing the best pneumatic valve design for your application will provide optimum results.

While each design has its strengths and weakness to be considered, knowing your application’s requirements is essential. For example, the media of the application varies between industries. Compressed air and other gases can be extremely powerful—even fatal—so understanding how the valve will be used is important. Certain valve designs are compatible but limited by specific media. Some other factors that dictate the required valve are the external variables such as temperature range of the application, and purity of the air or media (moisture, contamination). Once you know the critical requirements for the application, the valve design can be chosen based on its specific features.

Poppet-design valves
Poppet-design valves use a rubber molded poppet wrapped around the stem that moves along the bore of the valve, creating a seal when the poppet is in its seat. One specific advantage to using a valve with this type of internal design is the compatibility with a variety of media other than compressed air. The unique feature that allows this compatibility is less lubrication sensitivity due to few sliding parts or (dynamic seals).

Another benefit to this poppet design is that the valves are more tolerant of minor air sediment or debris. They also have excellent exhaust capacity and are capable of high flow rates. The poppet design provides a faster response rate due to short stroke and can be mounted in several ways.

Poppet valves more readily lend themselves to 2-or 3-way configurations, although 4-way configurations can be achieved by using dual 3-way poppet sets in one valve body. Poppet valves are typically unbalanced designs, which use the air pressure as the primary force to return the valve to a given position. This concept provides assurances that the valve will return to the desired position, even if the return spring fails. Balanced poppet valves are used to reduce actuation force and achieve lower current consumption in solenoid valves. Balanced valves typically provide smaller overall physical size and produce greater flow capacity.

Applications in which this design are most commonly found are in the medical device and analytical instrumentation industries, where air purity is required (absence of dirty or wet media/air), the need for reliability is mandatory (could be saving lives), low leakage rate is critical, and gases other than compressed air will be used as a medium.

Diaphragm-poppet design valves
Diaphragm-poppet design valves expand the poppet valves’ design by the use of a diaphragm. Its outer webbing guides the poppet to its seat without using sliding seals. Diaphragm-poppet designs are usually unbalanced providing the same assurance of return to a given position as the poppet valve. The diaphragm increases durability especially with different or non-lubricated media.

A variety of durameter and diaphragm compounds make it simple to modify a valve based on the environmental or application requirements for operation. Also, expect extremely low leak rates due to strong sealing control. Diaphragm-poppet valves make 2-way or 3-way configurations available, as well as the possibility of 4-way valves, by using dual 3-way diaphragm poppet sets in one valve body. This valve’s durability and reliability make it a great candidate for applications such as critical life support devices (e.g. heart ventricular support assistance or pulmonary supply devices).

Its non-lubrication capability makes it appealing to be used with devices used for respiratory and anesthesia gases. Diaphragm-poppet designs are great solutions in leak testing devices, due to the very low leak rate. Lastly, these designs are suitable for critical or contaminated vacuum applications.

Spoppet-design valves
Spoppet-design valves combine two designs to provide a blend of primary poppet sealing in conjunction with a minimal number of sliding seals, thus emulating characteristics of a poppet and spool valve design. Spoppet designs retain some unbalance characteristics but with some balance of pressure to reduce actuation forces. This design provides the benefits of the poppet valve with a reduced sensitivity to lubrication.

Only one sliding seal engaged at a time reduces the drag within the valve body. These designs can sometimes bridge the gaps or limitations of poppet and spool valves making them more useable in numerous critical applications. By blending the designs, spoppets provide more cost efficient 3-way and 4-way valves, and can be used in many different environments and applications.

Spool-design valves
Spool-design valves are available in three types: lapped-/shear-design with no seals, dynamic seals, or O-rings. Spool valves are designed to be more cost-effective when manufacturing for 4-way valves and are conversely less adaptable for 2-or 3-way configurations. Spool valves can be either balanced or unbalanced, depending on desired position control required. Therefore, understanding this valves’ function is critical to the application requirements. Lapped- or shear-design spool valves can operate without lubrication but are less tolerant of variations in lubrication or by-products of compressing the air at the air compressor. Hence, further conditioning of the compressed air is required prior to use.

Dynamic seal spool valves generally require lubrication. Lapped spool valves have higher leak rates that may make them unacceptable for control of medias other than air, or limited media sources (air/gas tanks/bottles). Consequently, these valve designs are better suited to applications in factory automation where the leak rates are not critical. The requirement for conditioned media also limits their use for vacuum where contaminates are ingested into the vacuum lines and valves.

Custom-designed valves
Custom-designed valves are becoming more common, using a combination of the fore-mentioned design technologies to provide solutions unique to the customers’ challenges. In a perfect world, off-the-shelf components would meet every application’s need. But that doesn’t often happen, especially when faced with trade-offs such as space constraints versus performance. Sometimes a complex solution is needed, such as squeezing multiple components into a small space or incorporating multiple valve designs for a solution.

Custom designs using known and proven design technologies offer the potential of lower cost pneumatic systems. Once the specifications are agreed upon with the manufacturer’s design engineers and the application’s product engineers, a custom designed solution may be the best way to meet the applications’ challenges if a specific design is close but not does not meet exact specifications.

Ultimately when it comes to valves, each design technology offers unique capabilities but not every design suits specific applications. No matter whether you are replacing a component or designing a pneumatic system, consult a valve manufacturer who has knowledge in many different design principles so that the best solution can be achieved.

Humphrey Products

New line of stainless steel shock absorbers from Ace Controls

ACE Controls has introduced its new line of V4A high-quality stainless steel industrial shock absorbers for long life applications. These durable models are ideal for the food processing and packaging industries as well as medical, marine, electronic, chemical and more. Models offered are self-compensating in design with metric treaded outer bodies. Thread sizes range from M14 x 1.5 up to M64 x 2. Energy capacities range from 175 to 30,000 in.-lbs/cycle (20 to 155 Nm/cycle). Adaptable to a wide range of applications, effective weight capability ranges from 2 to 93,600 lbs (0.9 to 42,500 kg).

The PMC 150-600 Protection Series of shock absorbers features a special protective cap made of PTFE Teflon that hermetically seals the complete damping system against damaging environmental elements such as aggressive cutting, cooling or cleaning agents. The stainless steel button, integrated in the cap, along with the rolling diaphragm seal help to assure long life performance.

ACE Controls Inc.

Air Engineering to manufacture 1.12-in. bore heavy-duty cylinders

Minneapolis—Air Engineering and Supply announced the manufacture and national distribution of the widely used 1.12-in. bore air cylinder, with up to 20-in. standard stroke with longer strokes available upon request.

A leading manufacturer of this style and size cylinder recently announced that it was discontinuing the product. Air Engineering and Supply recognized this as an opportunity to continue service to the industry with its own version of this heavy duty air cylinder. These are the popular and widely used double acting 18D and 18SD models available in both stud and universal mounts. Both are 1.12-in. bore models and feature nitrile seals rated for 180° F and 150 psi max. Cylinders are hard-coated anodized aluminum with zinc plated nuts and lock washers. The cylinders feature chrome plated stainless steel rods with brass pistons and have black oxide finished end covers. Designed with standard bumpers at both ends, the cylinders have low friction U-cup seals with moly lubrication.

Air Engineering and Supply has offered this style and size cylinder for more than 25 years and has a wide range of customers currently using the product. Among the many applications are all types of automation including articulating arms for tool balancers, ergonomic workstations, and basic pneumatic operations.

“By continuing to offer these 1.12-in. bore heavy duty cylinders, we’re best serving both the replacement market and new designers with a time-proven product that is very important to many customers,” said Dave Maurer, the company’s sales manager.

Air Engineering and Supply

MultiFLOW blowgun features unique flow control

When CEJN engineers set out to design an all-new, all-powerful blowgun, they first interviewed end-users to identify its job responsibilities. They learned that their new design would need to offer unique flow and flow control, as well as be equipped with nozzle adjustments that would make it a versatile tool for a variety of tasks. Whether the job calls for cleaning with water or air, CEJN’s MultiFLOW Blowgun delivers high power with exceptional flow control.

In order to be considered a must-have, a tool needs to outperform the competition, endure repeated wear and tear, and be useful for a variety of tasks. CEJN’s new MultiFLOW Blowgun meets all three requirements:

• Performance – The premium blowgun offers extreme flow for cleaning, cooling and drying applications.
• Durability – Withstand tough handling and tough working environments, day after day
• Versatility – Cleans surfaces with air or water, making it a handy tool for applications as far reaching as sterile surgical centers to heavy industrial foundries

Benefits include:

• Cleans with air or fluids
• Offers unmatched blowing force
• Provides adjustable flow control
• Reduces hose whip and noise
• Prevents occupational injuries with non-slip grip
• Withstands tough handling
• Sold individually and in eight-pack counter display

New features:
Adjustable Jet Nozzle
Nozzle adjusts flow from narrow jet to wide beam for specific cleaning needs.

Ergonomic, Rubber Non-Slip Grip
A tight hold prevents occupational injuries.

Variable Flow Control
Handle functions set precision flow, as well as
activate “save” setting for repeat applications.

Anti-Whip Function
An integrated steel nipple/adapter vents downstream pressure when disconnected, reducing hose whip and noise.

Extreme Flow
Powerful air flow generates up to 1,200 l/min. Effective cleaning, cooling and drying is achieved in air and fluid applications.

CEJN

Clippard launches second phase of 3D product catalog

Cincinnati—Clippard Instrument Laboratory announced the launching of its expanded 3D catalog powered by TraceParts. This new phase includes their extensive electronic and control valve miniature pneumatic lines.

Clippard Minimatics are used virtually everywhere for control, interface, sensing, logic and actuation functions. This broad range of applications spans a variety of industries including: machinery, packaging, medical equipment, processing, textiles, animation, agriculture, material handling, assembly, and many more. Clippard has a unique advantage by providing standard and special products and value added assemblies.

“Our customers have been asking for 3D models of all of our products to include in their designs”, said Jim Coshnitzke, the company’s advertising manager. “To satisfy these requests, we have launched a three phase project to add our entire product line to our TraceParts 3D catalog. This update completes phase two and provides our customers with 3D models of our popular electronic and control valve product lines”.

“Clippard has been providing precision fluid power and control devices to a wide variety of industries for over 60 years,” said Bob Noftle, President of TraceParts Inc. “They have accomplished an excellent reputation for high quality products and customer satisfaction that is known throughout the industry. TraceParts helps Clippard strengthen relationships with its customers by saving them time and helping them to make better design decisions faster than with paper-based catalogs.”

Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc.

New valve catalog from Humphrey Products

Humphrey Products has released its newest Valve Catalog, HKV-7, for distribution. The new catalog provides basic decision-making information about our broad range of valve products. Within each of the eight sections, there are pages devoted to valve fundamentals, principles and background information, along with a comprehensive index to quickly navigate to the best solution. The ultimate goal of the catalog is to provide an overview of our products, guiding the customer to www.humphrey-products.com for more information.

Once at the website, the customer can access an Online Product Guide, which provides more detailed specifications, CAD drawings, how to order information, and the ability to request a quote for the product. Additionally, the new catalog can be viewed as an interactive PDF.

Humphrey Products