From time to time, compressed air auditors find air-cooled air compressors located in small rooms where the ventilation is inadequate. Most of the time, in properly designed rooms, the heat the compressors produce is ducted out of the room through metals ducting β often, it will be directed to cool areas of the plant in […]
Components
Compressed air fail: Inlet valve problems
A mining complex was experiencing low pressure events β even though its 14 large compressors were all running. The pressure was adequate during most of the day, but during peak demand times, the pressure sagged to unacceptable levels. This, of course, caused complaints from the workers. The pressure settings of the compressors were already set […]
Oil-lubricated, direct-drive compressors for small- to medium-size operations
ELGi Compressors USA has introduced the EQ Series, a new range of oil-lubricated, direct drive rotary screw air compressors, designed to provide superior performance and reliability to small and medium-sized operations that traditionally use belt-driven air compressors. In line with ELGi’s customer-centric approach, the EQ βELGi Questβ Series is built for customers requiring reliable compressed […]
Cloud-based data prevents compressed air system downtime
Industry 4.0 aims to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, and sustainability while optimizing supply chains and workforces. It sounds like a tall order, but as more manufacturers adopt the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), edge devices, and cloud-based technologies, the more such efforts are realized. Of course, one of the fundamental challenges is extracting and leveraging […]
Compressed air fail: Capacity surprise
When doing a compressed air audit, it is always recommended to measure the important parameters of the system and analyze the data carefully. Typically, pressure and power (or amps) are monitored, but in some cases measurement of flow comes in handy. In the case of a large plumbing component manufacturer, the installation of flow meters […]
Emerson releases new pressure valves for high-precision manufacturing
Emerson recently announced its new Aventics Series 625 Sentronic Proportional Pressure Control Valves. With a control deviation of less than 0.5%, the new valves are designed to deliver highly accurate, electronic proportional pressure control and provide the flexibility needed to support sophisticated pneumatic control engineering applications. Data acquisition software (DaS) software included with Series 625 […]
Where are air springs and actuators used in industrial systems?
When we delve into the realm of linear actuators used in industrial fluid power, our minds often gravitate towards the familiar, such as NFPA and mill-type for hydraulics, or compact round-line or extruded-aluminum body cylinders for pneumatics. These are the tried and tested construction styles. However, a lesser-known yet highly innovative player in this field […]
Metal Work series 70 valves available from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added Metal Work series 70 valves to their valves and pneumatic components categories. Metal Work is a trusted name in pneumatics and several new valve types are available, including toggle and axial lever manual valves, push-pull manual valves, mechanically operated air valves (mechanical limit switch valves), pushbutton air valves, air pilot valves, and […]
ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ valve solutions ensure reliable trailer operations
Alkon Corp., a provider of pneumatic components and systems, is proud to announce the launch of two groundbreaking products: the Lightning Lift-Axle Valve and Module-AIR. Engineered to revolutionize trailer performance and reliability, these innovative products offer unparalleled accuracy, configurability, and durability for the transportation industry. The Lightning Lift-Axle Valve sets a new standard in trailer […]
Compressed air fail: Outlet pipe size
A compressed air auditor was assessing a compressor and dryer installation within a compressor room and noticed something strange. On a large air dryer, the outlet flange was of 6-in. size, yet the piping used to connect the compressors and filters to the air dryer was only 4-in. Further to this, the long piping link […]









