By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic systems are widely used within industrial environments to power machinery and equipment, providing reliable and efficient performance. The Filter-Regulator-Lubricator (FRL) is vital in maintaining optimal air quality and pressure within these systems. However, when selecting an FRL, one must not overlook the significance of understanding FRL air flow characteristics, […]
Components
Lightweight, basic air preparation service units available from Festo
Festo launches MS-Basic, a family of pneumatic service units in polymer housings that offer attractively priced components covering most application needs. MS-Basic air preparation components have the functionality to perform the most important technical tasks necessary for proper compressed air preparation and consist of pressure regulators, filter regulators, electric on/off and soft start valves, as […]
Compressed air fail: Breathing air purifier
A metal process plant has two breathing air purifiers installed on site for the protection of its personnel. These units are installed to ensure hazardous Carbon Monoxide is kept out of breathing air. Recently, the two systems were evaluated by a compressed air auditor. When paint fumes or metal particles are in the ambient air […]
Emerson’s new IO-Link master saves costs and future-proofs air systems
Emerson has introduced a new Class A, IO-Link master that provides customers with a cost-effective solution for smart and analog sensor connectivity on the Aventics Series G3 Fieldbus platform. The G3 IO-Link Master is suitable for machine architectures with many sensors and pneumatic valves, and where it’s important to have reliable digital data communication between […]
Should wet compressed air receiver tanks be outdoors?
During plant inspections, it is often noticed that compressed air receiver tanks are installed outdoors. This is done for a reason — and is a good idea, in many cases, because it benefits the operation of air drying and filtering equipment and produces better quality compressed air when hot summer days cause worst-case conditions. Here […]
ControlAir announces new electro-pneumatic pressure regulators series
ControlAir today announced the introduction of the new Type 1000P Electro-Pneumatic Pressure Regulator Series. The Electro-Pneumatic Series consists of the Type 1000P Precision Pressure Regulator, Type 1005P High Flow Pressure Regulator, and the Type 1010P Economic Pressure Regulator. The Type 1000P/1005P/1010P Electro-Pneumatic Pressure Regulators are complete closed-loop servo systems consisting of two solenoid valves, an […]
Compressed air fail: Remote cooler install
A wood products company called in a compressed air auditor to have a look at its compressed air system. System reliability was poor, and the staff was having issues with the main compressor, a 200-hp air cooled screw compressor that carried most of the plant load. This compressor was rated at 100 psi, but recently […]
Emerson to showcase Floor to Cloud solutions at Pack Expo 2023
Emerson will exhibit its Floor to Cloud packaging solutions at Pack Expo Las Vegas, September 11-13, 2023. As the future of automation, Floor to Cloud solutions empower smarter packaging lines and more efficient processes that make it possible for manufacturers to continuously improve plant productivity, sustainability, and safety. Visitors to South Lower Hall, Booth 6107, […]
Compressed air fail: Vacuum pick-up
A metal products manufacturer had a production problem in one of its processing areas. The maintenance staff had increased the discharge pressure on their air compressors to help with the issue, but it seemed the problem would come back occasionally with no warning. Fig. 1 shows the problematic item, a vacuum pick-up crane. When the […]
Rid your packaging lines of UKTs (Unnecessary Knob Twisters)
Follow these five steps to prevent tampering and ensure effective and correct process adjustments for pneumatic components. Steve Bain, Industry Segment Manager – Food and Beverage, Festo North America In modern automation systems, the need for frequent process adjustments poses the risk of unwanted device tampering, often referred to in exasperation by plant managers as Unnecessary […]