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, […]
Stop the silent thief: Save money with compressed air efficiency
Walk through almost any manufacturing plant and you’ll hear it, the steady hum of compressors, the hiss of air tools, the pulse of production. To many, it sounds like business as usual. But to someone who understands compressed air systems, that same sound can also mean one thing: Money leaking away! Compressed air is often […]
ControlAir releases Type 715BP and 7250BP regulators
ControlAir LLC has introduced the Type 715BP and Type 7250BP signal-operated back pressure regulators for industrial pneumatic applications. The regulators are designed to provide pressure control and flow capacity for a range of operating conditions. Both models have a 1:1 signal-to-output ratio and function as normally closed valves. They open when upstream pressure rises above…
Keeping compressed air filters efficient
By Ron Marshall Compressed air filters are often forgotten components in industrial plants, but their role is critical. They not only protect downstream equipment and processes from contaminants but also affect the efficiency of the air compressor system itself. Neglecting filters can lead to poor air quality, rising energy costs, and unnecessary wear on equipment. […]
Learn the basics of industrial fluid power maintenance
Having daily, weekly, and monthly checklists helps you keep on top of things like filter maintenance and more. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Everyone thinks they know maintenance and believes they’re successfully running maintenance programs in their factory. This isn’t my first time around the rodeo, because despite my occasional and intentional confusion of metaphors, I…
How does moisture affect pneumatic systems and how do we mitigate it?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Desiccant, membrane, deliquescent, centrifugal and refrigerated air dryers are all technologies used to dry our compressed air systems. They are installed in various locations throughout the plant, although downstream of the compressor is the most critical location. Compressing air collects the volume of moisture found in a cubic foot of […]
ControlAir introduces regulators for low emission applications
ControlAir LLC announces the release of the Type CG330 and CG340 gas regulators. This innovative product line is specifically engineered to address the growing demand for low-emission solutions in industrial applications involving compressed gases such as inert gases, natural gas, and other sensitive media. The CG330/CG340 series of compressed gas filter regulators are designed to […]
Improving packaging applications with pneumatic control
Increase efficiency and effectiveness by choosing the right pneumatic control or regulation product for accurate, repeatable results. By Mindy Schoeff, Marketing Communications Manager, Proportion-Air Facilities that manufacture packaging products, or those that do the actual packaging, are no strangers to pneumatic control. Whether pressing a product, filling it, conveying or moving materials, testing or sealing, […]
Optimize air-operated double diaphragm pump with control unit
Ensuring that air-operated double diaphragm pumps run consistently and optimally through long cycles is easy with Proportion-Air’s new Pump Controller. Many AODD pumps operate with just a ball valve and shop air. This can lead to inaccurate, inconsistent material flow. The Pump Controller is a turnkey system that eliminates these issues. Run-dry situations can be […]
New Proportion-Air Supply benchtop testing device saves time
Proportion-Air is expanding its proportional electro-pneumatic pressure and flow control into the testing equipment field with its newest product, the Proportion-Air Supply. This benchtop unit for lab or manufacturing use is designed to regulate compressed air and other gases within prescribed pressure and flow limits for easy use. Suitable for developing, testing, and diagnosing pneumatic […]
Pre-configured and assembled air preparation units for safe food use
Festo introduces a line of pre-configured, assembled, and tested compressed air preparation units that not only makes specification and ordering faster and easier, but also ensures clean air in food and beverage production. Right out of the box, the new units meet the Safe Quality Food (SQF) guidelines of final filtration stage 0.01 micron (µm) […]
QBX proportional electronic regulator for low pressures and flows
Managing pressure regulation in applications with low pressures and low flows is easy with the Proportion-Air QBX electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator. With customizable pressure ranges and accurate, repeatable results, these compact devices can improve application performance in nearly any environment. The QBX boasts accuracy of up to ±0.2% and repeatability of ±0.02%, regulating pressures from […]
Automation24 expands portfolio with Norgren pneumatic components
Automation24 proudly announces the addition of Norgren pneumatic components to its portfolio. With this strategic move, Automation24 broadens its scope and capabilities to better serve its customers. Norgren air preparation products currently offered by Automation24 include regulators, filters, combination units (filter/regulator/lubricator), valves, and accessories. These proven air preparation products are built to overcome the common […]
High-precision pressure regulator offers stability under variable conditions
ControlAir LLC today announced the introduction of the new Type 410 high precision pressure regulator. The Type 410 provides a high level of regulation accuracy and repeatability during variable operating conditions. Designed with precision and reliability in mind, the Type 410 serves as a cost-effective yet highly efficient solution for controlling industrial processes. Despite its […]
High resolution proportional regulators for sensitive applications
Pressure regulation applications that require sensitive, high-resolution performance have found success with the Proportion-Air QPV series electro-pneumatic proportional pressure regulator. The QPV line boasts accuracy of up to ±0.2% and resolution of ±0.005%, regulating pressures up to 150 psig or equivalent. Calibration of ranges as low as 0-2 inches of water column are possible. These […]
ControlAir announces new electro-pneumatic vacuum regulator
ControlAir today announced the introduction of the new Type 1005V Electronic Vacuum Regulator. It is the first electronic vacuum regulator offered by ControlAir. The Type 1005V Electronic Vacuum Regulator is used in various industrial and automation applications to precisely control and regulate the flow of air or gases in a system. The Type 1005V Electronic […]
Understanding air flow and FRLs
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, […]
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 […]
Metal Work Syntesi air prep components available from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added new Metal Work Syntesi air prep components to their pneumatic components category. This value-packed addition offers a full selection of combination pre-assembled air prep systems including manual shut-off, filter/regulator, and lubricator assemblies; filter/regulator and lubricator assemblies; filter and lubricator assemblies; and filter and coalescing filter assemblies. Also available are individual components including […]
Closed-loop feedback opens up possibilities
Manufacturers across all industries seek ways to electrify, digitize, and automate their systems to decrease costs and increase efficiency. Electro-pneumatic pressure regulators and valves enable such efforts while improving pressure and flow rate accuracy. Back in the day, there were only manual pressure regulators that relied on the skill and precision of the human hand. […]
ControlAir introduces Type 855BP miniature back pressure regulator
ControlAir, a leading manufacturer of precision pneumatic and electro-pneumatic control products, announced the new Type 855BP Miniature Back Pressure Regulator. Type 855BP is a compact relief valve that provides economical, high-performance pressure relief with an adjustable set point. The valve is normally closed and will remain closed until the inlet pressure exceeds the regulator’s set […]
Dealing with filter gauge issues
Air filters very often have differential gauges installed on them to help compressed air system operators detect when the element needs changing. It is very important for maintenance personnel to change the element when it is required. Having high pressure differential causes the air compressor energy input to increase by about 1% every 2 psi […]
Can electropneumatic regulators be used in hazardous locations?
When thinking of hazardous locations, one’s mind conjures an oil/gas drilling rig, refinery, or underground coal mine — all these locations have in the past utilized traditional pneumatics as risk reduction because they do not have a spark risk, which a solenoid’s electrical actuation requires and creates. Expanding our view of hazardous locations, we should […]
Why is condensate disposal important in compressed air systems?
A wood products company had a two-compressor system installed on a mezzanine. Under the compressors and dryers were the piping and storage receivers. Each tank and each compressor had timer drains installed to expel the condensate that forms when the compressed air cools in the compressor aftercooler, piping, and storage vessels. The outlets of these […]
Compressed air fail: Flowmeter position
A local food company was resizing its compressed air system while renewing its plant operations. To get the sizing correct, the plant maintenance foreman purchased a flow meter to measure the output of the compressors. The meter was installed with a data logger to capture the flow profile of the plant. The readings showed that […]