By Ron Marshall, Contributing Editor Fred had been the plant engineer at the packaging facility for nearly ten years, and he thought he understood his compressed air system well. The compressors ran, the machines worked most of the time, and whenever there was a moisture problem someone usually changed a filter or drained a receiver […]
Festo simplifies decentralized I/O design with configurable digital I/O module
As automated machines become more capable, increasing amounts of decentralized I/O are needed. Conventional approaches often rely on multiple dedicated input and output modules, increasing hardware, commissioning, and additional components that machine builders and system integrators must engineer, stock, and support. Festo addresses this challenge with a new configurable digital I/O module for the CPX-AP-I […]
Suction cup adapter solution from Sommer-Technik
The combination of suction cups and matching adapters from Sommer-Technik creates a system which combines maximum flexibility with high performance. Whether in high-speed automation processes or when handling delicate workpieces, these components are designed to grip reliably, move safely, and position accurately. One key advantage lies in the variety of materials: from HighTemp HT to […]
Is your compressor room like a sauna?
Contributed by Ron Marshall Richard, the maintenance manager at a plant that manufactures powdered coatings, was used to dealing with heat. The curing ovens in the facility ran hot, and summer months always made the production floor uncomfortable. But one area of the plant seemed especially unbearable β the compressor room. Every time Richard stepped […]
Piab introduces suction cups for high-performance, mixed-item handling
Piab has expanded its suction cup portfolio with the introduction of the BLFF 42 and BLFF 55 cups, the first commercially released sizes in the new BLFF (Bellow Long Flexible Fit) family. BLFF stands for βbellow, long, flexible fitβ and reflects the seriesβ unique combination of reach, stability and adaptability to different objects. The BLFF […]
ControlAir releases type 385 stainless steel filter for harsh industrial use
ControlAir LLC announced the availability of the Type 385 Stainless Steel Filter, designed to provide efficient filtration and high flow capacity for demanding industrial and process control applications. The Type 385 Stainless Steel Filter features corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel construction throughout the body, housing, trim, and filter assemblies, making it ideal for offshore, chemical processing, […]
Safety is core to proper vacuum design in automation
Contributed by Michael TuoheyΒ β’ Regional Marketing Manager, North America, Piab In modern manufacturing, safety is a core design requirement. As more processes become automated and rely on vacuum, the way vacuum systems are engineered has a direct impact on the safety of people, products, and assets. Piabβs approach places safety at the center, combining […]
New three-finger soft gripper for delicate and irregular shape handling
Piab announces the launch of the piSOFTGRIP 40-3, a new three-finger soft gripper that extends the companyβs popular piSOFTGRIP family with larger, stronger, and more versatile handling capabilities for delicate and irregularly shaped items. Designed for food, consumer goods, and light manufacturing applications, the piSOFTGRIP 40-3 enables automation of products that are traditionally difficult to […]
Festo VTOC valve terminal enhances valve control in semiconductor fabrication
As semiconductor gas box designs incorporate more process lines and control points, the number of pilot valves required to manage critical gases increases. Typical valve terminals with limited capacity force OEMs to use multiple units, increasing panel space, wiring complexity, build time, and system cost. Festo offers the VTOC valve terminal designed for high-density semiconductor […]
GHS 402 – 902 VSDβΊ screw pump provides high pumping speeds
With the introduction of the GHS VSDβΊ vacuum pump series, Atlas Copco has taken vacuum technology to a new level. Whereas vacuum systems used to consume energy regardless of demand, modern oil-sealed screw pumps are efficient systems that deliver vacuum according to demand. In keeping with this tradition, Atlas Copco has developed the new GHS […]
