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Engineering Basics

Keeping it clean in food & beverage with pneumatics technologies

April 11, 2025 By Mary Gannon

Pneumatics technologies are used extensively in food & beverage processing because they provide rapid and compact actuation while discouraging the proliferation of harmful contaminants. Image courtesy of AdobeStock

Pneumatics technologies offer the clean designs and reliable operation required in food and beverage processing. By: Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The food & beverage industry is unique in many ways, not the least of which is the obvious observation that it’s the only industry providing us with the nourishment for life. Unless you’re living off […]

Filed Under: Air Preparation, Components, Cylinders, Engineering Basics, Featured

What pneumatic valves should you select for automation systems?

January 16, 2025 By Mary Gannon

pneumatic valves for automation AdobeStock_615829306

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are a lot of pneumatic directional valve options on the market. There are the big players in the game who take up half the market under only a couple of brand names, but the remaining half of the industry contains hundreds of players with myriad options. When selecting valves […]

Filed Under: Components, Engineering Basics, Valves

Which pneumatic technology is best for linear motion applications?

August 14, 2024 By Mary Gannon

Controlled pneumatics is highly suitable for web tensioning. Four pneumatic cylinders are controlled via a piezoelectric-based Festo VTEP proportional pressure valve terminal, top left.

In linear motion applications, pneumatics, servo pneumatics, and controlled pneumatics each deliver unique motion and force capabilities. Contributed by By Frank Langro, Director of Product Market Management, Pneumatic Automation, Festo Pneumatic linear actuators are fundamental for automation because of their low cost, ease of installation and operation, high yet compliant force, speed, compactness, safety in hazardous areas, […]

Filed Under: Actuators, Components, Cylinders, Engineering Basics, Featured Tagged With: festo

Where are air springs and actuators used in industrial systems?

May 9, 2024 By Mary Gannon

air spring actuators AdobeStock_244470873

When we delve into the realm of linear actuators used in industrial fluid power, our minds often gravitate towards the familiar, such as NFPA and mill-type for hydraulics, or compact round-line or extruded-aluminum body cylinders for pneumatics. These are the tried and tested construction styles. However, a lesser-known yet highly innovative player in this field […]

Filed Under: Actuators, air springs, Components, Engineering Basics, Featured

A primer on when to use pneumatic vacuum pumps

January 11, 2024 By Mary Gannon

Close up cross section show detail inside of High technology and quality screw vacuum pump for industrial AdobeStock_250580631

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Vacuum technology is the quintessential method for safe and careful material handling in various industries, from packaging to glass manufacturing. Vacuum cups and pads are gentle and soft, lifting even the largest material while barely contacting the surface. By creating a vacuum inside the cup, the pressure differential draws the […]

Filed Under: Components, Engineering Basics, Featured, pumps, Vacuums

5 reasons your pneumatic cylinder isn’t working

December 5, 2023 By Mary Gannon

5 reasons your pneumatic cylinders aren't working as they should AdobeStock_99197214.jpg

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 […]

Filed Under: Components, Cylinders, Engineering Basics, Featured

Understanding air flow and FRLs

September 29, 2023 By Mary Gannon

FRLs and airflow adobe stock

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic systems are widely used within industrial environments to power machinery and equipment, providing reliable and efficient performance. The Filter-Regulator-Lubricator (FRL) is vital in maintaining optimal air quality and pressure within these systems. However, when selecting an FRL, one must not overlook the significance of understanding FRL air flow characteristics, […]

Filed Under: Air Preparation, Components, Engineering Basics, Featured, Filters, Regulators

Rid your packaging lines of UKTs (Unnecessary Knob Twisters)

September 6, 2023 By Mary Gannon

Brewery using pneumatics

Follow these five steps to prevent tampering and ensure effective and correct process adjustments for pneumatic components. Steve Bain, Industry Segment Manager – Food and Beverage, Festo North America In modern automation systems, the need for frequent process adjustments poses the risk of unwanted device tampering, often referred to in exasperation by plant managers as Unnecessary […]

Filed Under: Air Preparation, Components, Cylinders, Engineering Basics, Featured Tagged With: festo

What type of miniature pneumatics technologies are available?

July 25, 2023 By Mary Gannon

Cordis electronic pressure controls Image courtesy Clippard

In the realm of fluid power engineering and manufacturing, innovation knows no bounds. The advent of miniature pneumatics has ushered in a new era of precision and efficiency, enabling a wide range of industries to benefit from compact and surprisingly powerful pneumatic systems. These miniaturized marvels have found their way into various sectors, using low […]

Filed Under: Components, Engineering Basics, Featured, Regulators, Valves

Pneumatic valves: How do they work?

April 6, 2023 By Paul Heney

This content was updated on April 6, 2023, with a new section dedicated to proportional valve technology. Compressed air pneumatic systems require methods of safe and precise control of the actuators unique to their accoutrement. Although the medium is fluid, just as hydraulic or process water systems, the execution of control is different in many […]

Filed Under: Engineering Basics

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