Festo recently introduced an application-specific pneumatic cylinder for cheese presses that improves consistency and quality in large operations and low-volume artisan cheese making. The stainless-steel outer body of the Festo CRD cylinder represents the latest in sanitary innovation as its unique bell-shaped construction provides best-in-class hygienic design. These cylinders are lubricated with NSF-H1 grease, which […]
Cylinders
How to improve compressed air systems
Here are some tips to reduce losses, right-size components and streamline circuits, all of which can lead to sizable cost savings. Phil McElroy, Product Sales Manager and IFPS-Certified Fluid Power Pneumatic Specialist, Norgren Most industrial facilities depend on compressed air for a range of operations, performed by everything from simple air tools to far-more-complicated pneumatic […]
Functional safety with pneumatic rod locks
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 […]
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 […]
