ASCO has introduced ASCO Numatics Integrated Automation Solutions—customized assemblies of best-in-class electrical and pneumatic components designed to meet specific customer needs. “Leveraging ASCO’s 127 years of expertise, our customized integrated solutions offer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) the convenience and cost savings of engineered, pre-assembled, tested, and ready-to-install pneumatics packages,” said Robert W. Kemple, Jr., executive […]
Air Preparation
Compressed air fail: Questionable weekend requirement
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge An equipment parts fabricator was concerned with their high utility costs, so they decided to bring in a compressed air auditor to study their compressed air system. An industry downturn had reduced their production demand considerably, so plant management was looking to significantly reduce operating costs. The […]
Compressed air fail: Sheet metal firm learns that size matters
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A sheet metal processor went through a plant expansion that more than doubled the size of its facility. To be safe the plant engineer doubled the size of their air compressor to 50 hp from the original 25 hp. The original unit was installed with a 120-gal […]
Digital pressure switches added to air prep offering
Bimba Manufacturing Company, a provider of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric solutions, and its subsidiary Mead Fluid Dynamics (MFD), a manufacturer of pneumatic components, today announced the addition of Digital Pressure Switches (DPS Series) to its line of air preparation equipment. This compact and economical series displays system pressure on an integrated LCD and emits dual […]
Bimba Brand MFD Pneumatics Adds Digital Pressure Switches to Air Prep Offering
Bimba Manufacturing Company, an industry provider of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric solutions, and its subsidiary Mead Fluid Dynamics (MFD), an innovative manufacturer of pneumatic components, today announced the addition of Digital Pressure Switches (DPS Series) to its line of high-value air preparation equipment. This compact and economical series displays system pressure on an integrated LCD […]
NITRA pneumatic precision regulators available from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect’s line of NITRA pneumatic parts now includes a wide range of pneumatic precision regulators designed for applications such as control and analysis instrumentation, medical equipment actuation, web tensioning, high-grade paint booths and drink process machines. NITRA BR and BFR Series Regulators are designed for use in systems that require clean, accurate instrument air. Starting […]
Compressed air fail: Expensive exercise
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A PVC window components manufacturer upgraded their compressed air system a few years ago by adding a VSD controlled compressor. To provide backup capability, they kept their old fixed speed compressor. Measurement and verification of the new installation showed that the company initially gained energy savings of […]
Food safety and compressed air
Deepak Vetal, Product Marketing Manager, U.S. Oil Free Air Div. Atlas Copco Compressors Compressed air is a safe, reliable and essential power source for countless manufacturers. However, compressed air quality—gaged by the quantity of particulates, water and oil the air contains—can vary widely, depending on the application. In packaging, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing […]
Pneumatic system guidelines for success
Pat Phillips • Product Manager • Fluid Power & Mechanical Products • AutomationDirect Following these design rules will ensure a successful machine automation application. Pneumatic cylinders are a popular way to clamp, position and transfer parts in automated equipment. They also offer one of the simplest ways to achieve mechanical motion and fixturing of parts […]
Compressed air fail: To VSD or not VSD?
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A mineral processor purchased a VSD controlled compressor for their plant, to save energy. This unit very nicely supplied the variable compressed air load, automatically ramping up to full speed when peak demands required full flow, but efficiently turning down to low speed when normal demands consumed […]