For applications that require better access or enhanced cleanliness, Clippard pinch valves are also available with a convenient panel mount option. Panel-mounted pinch valves provide all the same benefits as Clippard’s standard pinch valves along with seamless integration and easy accessibility. Compared to standard manifold mounted pinch valves, panel mounting offers simplified installation, a cleaner […]
Dry claw vacuum pumps are economically and environmentally friendly
Clean technologies are of particular importance in vacuum technology — because they are economically advantageous and environmentally friendly. With this in mind, Atlas Copco has developed the DZS 600 VSD+ and DZS 1200 VSD+ dry, oil-free claw pumps which are powerful, energy-efficient and easy to control and maintain. By using them, users can save costs, […]
Compressed air fail: Filter element replacement
How do you decide when to remove your compressed air filter elements? If you are using the differential gauge to tell you when, that could be a mistake. Compressed air is widely used in manufacturing, but contamination is a major concern. To maintain air quality, compressed air systems rely on filters — particularly coalescing and […]
Compressed air fail: Blowing
A company producing vinyl siding was using a lower pressure blower to blow water off the product as it came out of its production machine. But the blower failed, and the staff quickly rigged up some compressed air nozzles consuming about 50 cfm. An air auditor noticed this misuse and flagged it as an inappropriate […]
Festo names Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker CEO of its North America Business Region
Festo has announced the pending retirement of its North American Business Region CEO Carlos Miranda on April 1 and the appointment of the business region’s new CEO Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker. A family-owned global business with more than $3.7 billion in revenue and 20,000 employees, Festo is recognized as one of the world’s leading automation suppliers […]
Emerson to present Floor to Cloud transformation solutions at Hannover Messe
Emerson will demonstrate how it is transforming the future of factory automation through its proven Floor to Cloud approach and comprehensive portfolio at Hannover Messe in Hannover, Germany, on March 31 to April 4. Visitors to the Emerson booth in Hall 11, Booth C30, will learn how companies of any size can apply a Floor […]
Vacuum pioneer Leybold celebrates 175th anniversary
German vacuum specialist Leybold, founded by Ernst Leybold in Cologne in 1850, has achieved numerous pioneering milestones and product developments as it celebrates its 175th anniversary. Leybold’s core competencies include developing and manufacturing standardized, individual solutions for vacuum generation and process gas conveying, as well as customer-specific vacuum systems. The vacuum pioneer’s components, systems, and […]
Compressed air fail: Oil carryover in lightly loaded screws
Running a lubricated screw compressor at light loading can lead to a critical issue known as oil carryover, where excess lubrication oil escapes the compressor into the downstream air system. This problem, while often overlooked, can result in costly operational challenges, particularly in food processing plants where air purity is critical. Lubricated screw compressors rely […]
Compressed air fail: Oil accumulation
During a walk-through audit, a compressed air auditor noticed a pail collecting lubricant from a filter drain. The pail was almost completely full, causing the auditor some concern. He knew that this was a sign of several possible problems. High oil or lubricant accumulation downstream of a lubricated screw compressor is often caused by issues […]
Tsunami Aftercooler pre-cools compressed air before downstream equipment
Tsunami Compressed Air Solutions, a division of Suburban Manufacturing Group, introduces the Tsunami Aftercooler, a high-performance solution designed to pre-cool compressed air before it reaches the downstream equipment, maximizing moisture removal and improving system efficiency. With six versatile mounting configurations, a space-saving wall-mounted design, and a powerful cooling system featuring a high-volume fan and finned […]
Compressed air fail: Gunk in drains
By Ron Marshall An industrial plant started having trouble with its air dryer. No matter what the maintenance personnel tried, they could not achieve adequate dew point values. Nobody suspected the upstream condensate drain — especially because, when tested, it did not release any excess condensate or oil. Finally, it was disassembled and found to […]
Compressed air fail: Flow meters
A compressed air auditor did a study at a plastic products plant. Before the study, the maintenance manager had mentioned he was extremely proud that he had 100% redundancy in his system. After the study, the auditor had to tell him some bad news — every one of his compressors were running to service his […]
Aventics pneumatic valves available with higher flow rates
Emerson has released the latest stage of its next-generation Aventics series XV pneumatic valve systems with new flow rates, configurations, accessories, UL certifications and more. These updates give OEMs greater design flexibility and scalability to precisely configure valves when engineering handling systems and automation solutions. After successfully launching the XV03 in most world regions in […]
ELGi launches ground-breaking compressed air stabilization technology
Elgi Equipments has introduced its pioneering compressed air stabilization technology. Designed to revolutionize the way compressors operate in plants with dynamic air demand, the Stabilisor system aims to address the longstanding challenges of unstable compressor performance, inefficiency, and excessive wear caused by frequent load/unload cycles. In industrial settings, the gap between compressor capacity and plant […]
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 […]
Exhausted actuators can finally breathe with the ERDP Remote Drive
The ERDP Remote Drive is a closed-loop system that captures energy and enables more efficient designs. Air leakage is an accepted challenge in pneumatics applications. It is considered unintentional and requires maintenance and continuous monitoring. However, pneumatic systems are also designed for frequent intentional air releases as part of regular operation, which exhausts usable energy […]
Compressed air fail: How to create compressed air leaks with poor practices
Compressed air leaks are a silent and costly thief of energy, often accounting for 20-30% of wasted energy in industrial systems. While leaks can happen naturally over time, poor practices can accelerate their creation. Understanding the role of piping, end-use equipment, and maintenance in contributing to leaks can help highlight the importance of good practices. […]
Piab expands product offerings with magnetic grippers
Piab is pleased to announce the addition of magnetic grippers to our product portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions tailored to industrial requirements. The integration of magnetic grippers addresses specific market demands. These magnets are designed to support various automotive applications, particularly in areas like stamping and body-in-white. The magnets are intended to […]
What pneumatic valves should you select for automation systems?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are a lot of pneumatic directional valve options on the market. There are the big players in the game who take up half the market under only a couple of brand names, but the remaining half of the industry contains hundreds of players with myriad options. When selecting valves […]
HLD desiccant air dryer’s twin-tower design delivers control and efficiency
ELGi North America announced the launch of the Airmate HLD series modular desiccant compressed air dryer, a state-of-the-art solution for applications that demand ultra dry compressed air. Engineered to achieve ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 2 compressed air quality, the new desiccant air dryer consistently maintains –40°C pressure dew points. This meets the demanding requirements of industries […]
What are compressed air pressure/flow controllers?
By Ron Marshall A compressed air pressure/flow controller is a device designed to regulate the pressure and flow of compressed air delivered to a system, ensuring consistent performance and efficiency. It acts as a buffer between the supply and demand sides of the system, maintaining steady downstream pressure despite fluctuations in demand or upstream conditions. […]
How do acoustic imagers help in compressed air systems?
The development of acoustic imagers has transformed the way compressed air leak audits are done, saving time for the user. Acoustic imagers are advanced tools used to detect gas leaks by capturing and visualizing high-frequency sounds that are typically inaudible to the human ear. When compressed air or gas escapes through cracks, holes, or loose […]
Compressed air fail: Inside the box thinking?
“Inside the box” thinking involves sticking to conventional methods and solutions that are tried and tested. For example: Routine maintenance: Regularly replacing filters and addressing leaks are standard practices to improve efficiency. Equipment upgrades: Replacing old compressors with newer, more energy-efficient models is a typical step. Basic monitoring: Installing pressure gauges and ensuring the system […]
Five big improvements for your compressed air system
By Ron Marshall Improving the efficiency of your air compressor system doesn’t always require a large investment. Small, cost-effective changes can lead to significant energy savings, reduced operational costs, and a longer system lifespan. Here are five practical and low-cost strategies to boost the efficiency of your air compressor. Fix leaks Air leaks are […]
Compressed air fail: Cold weather damage
Compressed air systems naturally generate condensate as moisture in the air condenses during compression and cooling. If this condensate is not properly managed, it can accumulate in the system, particularly in uninsulated outdoor pipes. During winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, this condensate can turn into ice, leading to significant operational and safety issues. Freezing […]