Mechanical engineers at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering built a pneumatic arm-like device that can grasp and carry small objects using a textile-based energy harvesting system. This lightweight robotic limb is intended to assist individuals with limited mobility and is tough enough for everyday use. The pneumatic “arm” consists of heat-sealable fabrics stacked together […]
Featured
Pneumatic system upgrade preserves collegiate tradition
SMC recently updated the pneumatic system on the Boilermaker Special VII, the official mascot of Purdue University. According to the Reamer Club that cares for the train, the Boilermaker Special is the world’s largest, fastest, heaviest, and loudest collegiate mascot. Some of these accolades can be attributed to the train’s extensive pneumatic system, which controls […]
Pneumatics winners of the 2022 LEAP Awards announced
Winners of the 5th annual LEAP Awards (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) were announced during a virtual celebration to recognize innovation and engineering achievements. This year, our top-notch independent judging panel selected 44 gold, silver, and bronze winners and honorable mentions across 14 categories. The 2022 Pneumatics category winners are: Gold Norgren Excelon Plus Integrated […]
How do air motors work?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor A motor is any device designed to convert one form of energy into rotational mechanical force. For example, an electric motor converts electrical potential into mechanical torque, and a hydraulic motor converts hydraulic energy from pressure and flow into mechanical torque. And an air motor converts compressed air into that […]
How do pneumatics technologies work?
Pneumatics is a fluid power technology similar to hydraulics in that it transmits force through a pressurized medium to create useful work. However, pneumatic technology differs from hydraulics in every critical fashion — compressibility. To be fair, hydraulic oil compresses as well, but only 0.4 percent every thousand psi or so. However, in the simplest […]
What are pneumatic rotary actuators?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Rotary actuators are devices used to transmit torque through a limited rotational arc. Rather than pneumatic motors, which rotate continuously, pneumatic rotary actuators move a load through a limited range of motion. Some actuators rotate through two discrete positions, while others are capable of positioning at any angle around the […]
Pack Expo heads back to the Midwest
Pack Expo International is scheduled to run from October 23-26 at McCormick Place Convention Center. Pack Expo International, the annual Fall tradeshow and conference dedicated to packaging machinery and related technology, always features a broad variety of pneumatic components and applications. The show, which alternates each year between locations in Las Vegas and Chicago, is back […]
How do you specify electropneumatic flow controllers and regulators?
Electropneumatic flow controllers and regulators are by nature both electrical and mechanical, thus requiring the designer to develop two sets of specifications for the regulator to function properly. The pneumatic or mechanical portion of the device is the same as a standard flow control valve or regulator. As with many things in fluid power, the […]
Designing optimum pneumatic systems for food & beverage packaging
These tips not only adhere to food safety guidelines, but also serve to improve machine utilization and performance. By Steve Bain, Food and Beverage Industry Segment Manager, Festo Before describing the four pneumatic automation design tips for food and beverage packaging applications, it is a good idea to answer a fundamental question: Why apply pneumatic […]
ISO 5599/1 pneumatic solenoid valves from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added new NITRA ISO 5599/1 pneumatic solenoid valve components. These solenoid valves are completely interchangeable with any brand of ISO 5599/1 equipment. ISO 5599 size one and size two components include solenoid valve bodies in 5-way, 2-position configurations with single or double solenoids and 5-way, 3-position, double solenoid valves with a center-pressure, center-closed, […]