Functional safety features in pneumatic machines and systems are critical in reducing the risk of injury without impacting operational efficiency and productivity. Designers of functionally safe pneumatic systems have put in fail-safe mechanisms to detect potentially dangerous conditions and to activate a protective or corrective device, such as a pneumatic rod lock, that will prevent […]
Cylinders
D2-series NFPA tie rods added to NITRA air cylinders from AutomationDirect
The NITRA pneumatic product line now includes the D2-Series double-acting, NFPA heavy-duty tie rod air cylinders ideal for use where abusive conditions exist. These pneumatic air cylinders have a 250 psi operating pressure and are interchangeable with other popular brands. New models are available with and without adjustable cushions to provide end-of-stroke deceleration at both […]
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 […]
Rodless cylinder solutions for compact pneumatic linear motion
Designers requiring linear motion should consider rodless cylinders to realize compact packaging and other benefits for pneumatic actuation, without the cost of electrically-driven options. Contributed by Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer, AutomationDirect Machine and equipment automation projects — whether performed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), a systems integrator (SI), or the capital projects group at […]
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 […]
Aluminum pneumatic cylinder boosts machine speeds and cuts downtime
Machine builders and their end-user manufacturers can increase machine speeds and reliability with the new AVENTICS TM5 TaskMaster aluminum cylinder from Emerson. The NFPA-compatible pneumatic cylinder reduces cost, energy consumption, equipment wear and downtime. With its rugged aluminum body construction and a steel piston rod, the TM5 TaskMaster features Emerson’s state-of-the-art pneumatic cushioning technology that […]
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 […]
Rodless air cylinders for small or tight applications
NITRA L-series rodless air cylinders from AutomationDirect offer a robust design in a compact package. Rodless cylinders can offer the same stroke as rodded cylinders in a smaller space. Rodless cylinders have the piston connected to a carriage that rides outside the extruded cylinder wall, reducing overall length, making them ideal for small or tight […]
Air bushings enable frictionless air cylinders
New Way standard air bushings enable frictionless air cylinders. The O-rings in conventional hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders create significant friction. In measurements and test loading, that friction can be an issue. Instead of O-rings, the seal for the air bearings is the high-pressure air film generated by the bearing. So, with a 60 psi input […]
New Roundline non-repairable cylinders for light-duty, light-force needs
Now there are more choices than ever of versatile IMI Norgren Roundline cylinders, round-body, non-repairable actuators for lighter duty, lower force applications. The introduction of the Roundline Plus Expanded Range adds seven new cylinder types to the existing line-up. Three-position (3R) cylinders provide three positive stroke positions with a single cylinder. Non-rotating (NR) double acting […]
