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 […]
Engineering Basics
Which pneumatic technology is best for linear motion applications?
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, […]
Where are air springs and actuators used in industrial systems?
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 […]
A primer on when to use pneumatic vacuum pumps
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 […]
5 reasons your pneumatic cylinder isn’t working
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 […]
Understanding air flow and FRLs
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, […]
Rid your packaging lines of UKTs (Unnecessary Knob Twisters)
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 […]
What type of miniature pneumatics technologies are available?
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 […]
Pneumatic valves: How do they work?
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 […]
How do you repair pneumatic cylinders?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ve seen many pneumatic cylinders in my fifteen years in fluid power. From pancake to ISO and from NFPA to compact round line, there are as many types of air cylinders as there are applications for them. With so many cylinders and ways to use them, there are many ways […]
