Known for reliability, innovation, and focus on miniature pneumatics, Clippard’s Cordis Pressure Controllers use the proven EVP and DVP proportional valve series allowing for steady, accurate, and repeatable downstream pressure control as demand or process changes. The result is a very precise linear pressure control within a closed-loop system providing ultra-high resolution and repeatability. The […]
Components
Why do pneumatic cylinders fail?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor It would be easy to assume all cylinders fail in the same fashion — that hydraulic cylinders bypass and air cylinders experience bent rods. However, it’s a false assumption because the nature of their operation and intended application differ. Sure, a hydraulic cylinder can bypass but not as easily as […]
Hannover Fair panel to focus on compressed air and vacuum technology
Compressed air and vacuum technology is continuously being digitalized, but is digitalization really a panacea when it comes to sustainability and energy efficiency? The international CEO Panel on Compressed Air and Vacuum Technology at Hannover Fair will provide the answer to this question. On April 20, CEOs from global leaders in the industry will discuss […]
Piab’s fruit suction cup FCX50A provides gentle grip
In fruit picking, flexibility is key. A suction cup able to handle items with difficult surface and various shapes is needed for reliable processes. Piab’s new detectable fruit suction cup FCX50 is all this: Flexible bellows for off-axis grips and adaptation as well as multi-lip design for the surface ensuring good sealing. With its innovative […]
Where do you get compressor efficiency information?
Years ago, in the North American compressed air market, it was a free-for-all when it came to compressor ratings. Some questionable efficiency numbers were published, leading customers to believe that they were making good choices in purchasing the most energy efficient compressors. However, as time went on, it was gradually discovered that some published numbers […]
Piab’s egg suction cup ECX36 increases productivity, processes
Piab’s new ECX36 egg suction cup, with its stable design and multistage actuation, provides easy control over the product release. It impressively reduces the risk of damaging eggs in the process, thus enabling high speed applications in egg handling. Thanks to the low vacuum required in the operation, energy is saved — a growing necessity […]
Compressed air fail: Optimized nozzles
A building products company had constantly overheating bearings on some large fans induced draft in their process and decided to use compressed air to provide some extra cooling. On one fan bearing they installed a spare air wand and tied it in position with wires, so the nozzle pointed directly at the hot bearing, this […]
Compressed air fail: One little button
A farm implement manufacturer had a system of three large 150-hp compressors that were air-cooled lubricant-injected screw compressors. To control these compressors — two of which were needed for peak duty on any given day — the compressors were set up in a cascaded pressure band arrangement, with each unit running in load/unload mode. In […]
Compressed air fail: Frozen lines
A wood products company had some troubles operating its compressed air system in the coldest winter months. Maintenance workers found that the pressure at various points in their plant would fall to very low levels, especially after weekend plant shutdowns. The plant had a system of lubricated screw compressors with refrigerated air dryers to condition […]
Compressed air fail: A holiday miracle turns bad
A metal processor had a four-compressor system that was well controlled by a compressor sequencer. System operation was very well monitored by a system of pressure, power, and flow instruments that fed system operating characteristics back to the maintenance supervisor. One day before the Christmas holiday, the supervisor noticed that the variable speed drive (VSD) […]