A new line of proportional valves is available from Humphrey Products Co., Kalamazoo, Mich. The ProControl proportional valves, like all Humphrey deigns, are two-port, normally closed, direct acting spring return type flow controllers. They feature an inert construction for a variety of multimedia uses and a frictionless flat-spring armature design that results in long, trouble-free […]
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New valve family opens additional application possibilities
By Paul J. Heney and Mary Gannon Cincinnati-based Clippard Instrument Lab created its EV line of valves in 1973. The company’s workhouse pneumatic valves have seen a lot over their lifetime—video games like Pong have evolved into lifelike realty games and mobile phones the size of loaves of bread are now compact, thin devices that […]
Festo demonstrates wave-based modular conveyor system
Through the energy of intelligently directed wave formations, Festo has demonstrated an entirely new concept in conveying and automatically sorting delicate items such as fruits and vegetables. The technology behind the WaveHandling conveyor points the way to modular conveying systems that are fast and easy to set up, self-organizing, and require less programming than systems […]
Gripper learns … through trial and error
You might say that the LearningGripper from Festo behaves just like a baby. But that’s a good thing. Newborn children gradually—and by trial and error—learn how to hold, move, and turn an object, such as a parent’s finger or a toy, with their hands. They want to look at it from all sides and form […]
Pneumatics through the ages—a timeline of evolution
So much of today’s modern machinery utilizes some form of pneumatic component within its makeup and function. Yet it can be argued that the majority of people know little about the industry and how components have evolved into being essential elements the likes of jet engines. To understand how pneumatic components have become important parts […]
Compressed air fail: A pork plant’s incorrect purchase
A pork processing plant installed a modern compressed air system with excellent components. The compressors were cutting-edge VSD style, connected to a sophisticated controller. Air dryers were desiccant style with dew point control and low differential filtration. Significant storage was installed to assist in keeping the compressors running efficiently without pressure issues. This system should […]
Pilot valve series from Humphrey act as a pneumatic interface
Humphrey Products Co., Kalamazoo, Mich., introduces the A10 and A15 Series pilot valves—miniature direct-acting solenoid valves that are perfect as a high value pneumatic interface, linking PLCs and air piloted pneumatic, or process control work valves. Configured as compact 3-port sub-base mount, the A10 and A15 pilot valves feature low power consumption, excellent flow, and […]
Former Rexroth Pneumatics relaunches as “Aventics”
Bosch’s Rexroth Pneumatics division sometimes seemed to stick out like a sore thumb to me … although the company tried to integrate the Lexington, Ky.-based division into the master plan, there were times where it seemed lost amidst the company’s myriad industrial and mobile hydraulic solutions. So it wasn’t altogether surprising when the company sold […]
Virtual products increase understanding of fluid power design
Festo’s virtual reality system, in use for more than 10 years now, remains in demand for special developments, customer-specific system solutions, and complex design projects. “With virtual reality we can visualize complex processes and shapes in three-dimensional space, in order to make processes realistic and understandable,” said Bernd Kirchberger, Head of Computer Aided Engineering Services. […]
Hannover Fair’s about to get jumping
Hannover Fair on the horizon—the enormous German manufacturing exposition runs from April 7-11 this year. Focus areas for the event include: Industrial Automation, Energy, MobiliTec, Digital Factory, Industrial Supply, IndustrialGreenTec, and Research & Technology. Festo Corp. held an online pre-Hannover press conference yesterday, and there are some interesting things on the horizon, according to the […]