By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A food products company used lubricated screw compressors to feed the process machines in their plant. The compressors contained food grade lubricant because some of the compressed air came in contact with the product. The lubricant is an important item within the compressor, acting as a lubricant, […]
Can water damage my compressed air system?
In a previous post, we discovered that air compressors will produce significant amounts of water, which is squeezed from the ambient air the compressor ingests through its intake. This water, if left in the system, can damage the air compressor and components connected to your compressed air system and possibly contaminate your product. Piping will […]
A Lego-like pneumatic solution for customized machines
ByΒ Ken Korane, Contributing Editor Food and beverage processors and packagers strive to move goods as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible without damaging the end product. Sometimes the work is done by hand, but automated systems are often preferred to speed throughput and ensure quality. Devices like pick-and-place gantries, delta robots, and SCARA pickers work […]
Compressed air fail: Relying on service technicians
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge An electronics component manufacturer was having trouble with their compressors.Β Despite having purchased a very expensive and sophisticated control system, they were experiencing problems with their automatic compressor control. The system is designed to control the four large air compressors in their compressor room by coordinating the […]
New stainless steelΒ large flow capacity regulator and filter regulator
ControlAir Inc. announced the introduction of the new Type-380 Stainless Steel Filter Regulator and the Type-390 Stainless Steel Regulator. The Type-380 and Type-390 are able withstand the harshest environments while providing highly accurate pressure regulation and filtration. Their oversized valving allows the units to handle large flow capacity applications. The corrosion resistant 316L stainless steel […]
Solenoid actuated valves
VY SeriesΒ of solenoid actuated valves from Airwork ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ Equipment combine reliability and versatility of assembly. The valves can be constructed as in-line, on panel, on multiple bases, on manifolds, or on cylinders. They are available in various sizes: 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2; the available functions are 3/2, 5/2, and 5/3. Airwork ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ Equipment airwork-pneumatic.com
Why is there water in my compressed air system?
Depending on inlet conditions, air compressors can produce lots of water. If this water is not removed, it can travel through your piping and overwhelm your air dryer (if you have one). The water will rust steel pipes, and act as a solvent for compressor lubricant. The water picks up the rust, oil, and dirt […]
How do I compare air compressor efficiency?
When you are purchasing a compressor, it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. You should be aware that about 80% of the lifetime cost for an average air compressor is due to electricity, the remainder is purchase price and maintenance. Often, a compressor will consume its total purchase price in electricity in […]
Aventics publishes machine safety guide for pneumatics
Aventics has published a manual titled βMachine Safety Expertise for ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟsβ covering key topics in the implementation of directives and standards for safety-related pneumatics. Protecting people, machines and property is the primary objective of safety-related pneumatic systems and components. For all production machinery, international standards and regulations define measures to prevent accidents through safe machine […]
Bimba introduces all stainless-steel compact cylinder to Flat-I product line
BimbaΒ hasΒ announced the addition of a stainless steel, compact cylinder to its Flat-I product line. The Stainless Steel Flat-I cylinders were designed especially for applications in which frequent, corrosive wash downs are required to prevent the propagation of bacteria. βIn industries such as food and beverage or health and beauty, and in numerous medical applications, bacteria […]
