By Ron Marshall A new maintenance manager was concerned about the compressor control in his plant.Β To him, it appeared that the performance of his three screw compressors was substandard, especially this variable speed drive compressor.Β And, he was running out of compressor capacity, the plant pressure was dropping to unacceptable levels, which was affecting […]
Components
New rodless cylinder from Aventics supports compact machine design
Aventics completes its range of rodless cylinders with the addition of the RTC-SB, aΒ slide bearing version that rounds off the pneumatics specialistβs RTC range of rodless cylinders. As with the other double-acting rodless cylinders from Aventics, at the heart of the RTC-SB (slide bearing) is its oval piston shape. In relation to its size, it […]
Going soft on grippers
Thereβs a growing interest inΒ nontraditional pneumatic end effectors that offerΒ flexibility and a deft touch. ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ grippers have been used for decades to pick up, carry and place everything from tiny electronic components to sizeable objects like engine blocks and lumber. Most have rigid fingers or jaws, usually made of steel or aluminum. Such devices work […]
Why does my compressor make water?
You may have noticed water coming out of your compressor. Some people ask where does it come from and why is it there? An additional important question to ask is: how well is it being removed? Atmospheric air contains water in vapor form, the amount depending on the temperature and relative humidity of the inlet […]
What size of pipe should I used to connect my air compressor?
Quite often, the compressed air pipe connected to an air compressor is sized to the same diameter as the connection on the compressor outlet.Β But this can be a mistake because it may lead to excessive pressure loss that can affect the operational efficiency of the compressor. For example, one manufacturer, to save costs, puts […]
How do I get an air cylinder to use less air?
An air cylinder’s compressed air use can often be accomplished by reducing pressure or use of other measures.Β Air cylinders are common devices in pneumatic assemblies and are used to transmit linear force and motion.Β The basic parts use a piston assembly connected to a rod within a tube.Β The force produced by the air […]
If your cylinder is about to fail or starting to fail, how do you know?
If you have a pneumatic cylinder that is leaking, you may see reduced performance and speed. If you have a piston that is leaking you may have bypass going. You try and activate it on the cap side and air’s just flowing right across the piston to the rod side. In some cases, you may […]
Advanced vacuum pump technologies from Leybold are clean, quiet and sustainable
Today, innovations for vacuum-based applications in laboratories,Β analytics and research and development are the drivers for a healthier and safer life.Β Modern vacuum technology mustΒ therefore offer cleanliness, low noise and sustainability in daily operation. With a vacuum portfolio developed inΒ line with this requirement profile, Leybold presents its innovations at the leading AnalyticaΒ trade fair from April10 to 13 […]
How do I set up a VSD compressor to run with a fixed speed?
If you have a variable speed drive (also called variable frequency drive) compressor installed in your system and want it to work correctly with your fixed speed compressors, then things need to work a little bit differently that normal.Β A VSD compressor should be taking the partial load, with the fixed speed units either running […]
Why are pneumatic cylinders used over hydraulic ones?
Air cylinders are used primarily for their quick rate of cycling. By cycling I mean the rate at which they can cycle back and forth. The nature of pneumatics is that air cylinders will accelerate quickly, and move at a high velocity. For a given cylinder and plumbing size air moves more efficiently than does […]
