By Frances Richards, contributor Pneumatic cylinders are a clean and cost-effective option for achieving reliable linear motion in many industrial environments. Because they are lighter weight and lower maintenance than their hydraulic and electric counterparts, they are an excellent choice in applications from factory automation and transportation to packaging and life sciences. Two main styles […]
Actuators
How do pneumatic rodless cylinders/slides work?
Contributed by Vicki Burt In a rodless air cylinder — also called a rodless slide — motion is transmitted through the body length by an internal piston moving with the cylinder, driven by compressed air. The piston is attached to a shuttle or carriage, which supports the load and moves it in a linear direction […]
How can you achieve cylinder flow reduction?
Looking for ways to further reduce your compressed air demand? Consider investigating air cylinder actuation. Often times, air cylinders in production machinery only require significant force during a single power stroke, but still use full line pressure to return the cylinder to resting position. Let’s compare the air consumption for double acting versus a spring […]
Compact cylinder reduces downtime, maintenance for building materials manufacturer
A national building materials manufacturing company was needing to replace cylinders on a shingle palletizing machine three times per year. To make sure the shingles are straight and lined up, the side-pusher cylinders are activated as a set of shingles is added to a pallet. These cylinders had a male thread rod end that would […]
Pneumatics: the go-to for food and beverage processing
IoT-enabled pneumatic technologies ensure clean and reliable food and beverage design. Contributed by Amit Patel, Product Marketing Manager, Food & Beverage, Emerson Pneumatics has always been a go-to technology in food and beverage applications, and for good reason. Pneumatics technology is clean and reliable, and it’s safe and easy to maintain. It also has design […]
Pneumatic cylinders that talk back
Air cylinders and actuators are renowned for simplicity, economy and long-time durability in countless motion-control applications. The devices typically provide basic linear motion and perform faultlessly and unnoticed for years. Increasingly, however, many newer equipment designs and automation systems demand a lot of data — even from components like air cylinders — to operate precisely […]
Festo features sanitary pneumatic design solutions at Pack Expo
At Pack Expo September 23 to 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Festo will be showing pneumatic and electric products compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines on safely processing, holding, and packaging food. Visit Festo at Pack Expo Booth LS-6349 to see these technologies in person. It is vital that compressed […]
Festo launches DGST line of pneumatic mini slides
Festo has introduced the DGST pneumatic mini slide, one of the most compact pneumatic slides available. DGST slides are designed for precision handling, press fitting, pick and place, and electronic and light assembly applications. The DGST slide and yoke plate are machined from a single piece of aluminum, which ensures low torsion and accurate alignment. […]
Custom pneumatic actuators available with fast turnaround
Proven IMI Norgren brand actuators can now be custom engineered with quicker quotes and lead times to meet specific needs for challenging pneumatic applications. By expanding engineering and support teams to work with distributors, Norgren delivers modifications to a variety of catalog pneumatic actuators and related products. Custom capabilities range from adapting existing products to […]
Pneumatic actuator control options
Pneumatic actuators are essential workhorses for machine and equipment motion. Here are some pointers about different styles for control and monitoring. Contributed by Pat Phillips, Product Manager, Fluid Power and Mechanical Product Division, AutomationDirect Pneumatic actuators are commonly used in countless types of equipment and machinery because they provide a simple, cost-effective and durable way […]
