Tsunami CORE series desiccant dryer is the newest addition to the Air Dryers product line, designed to better serve the automotive and professional coatings industry. This manual change desiccant air dryer features a spring-loaded cartridge style desiccant canister that eliminates dusting and tunneling of the media. It is rated for 25 cfm and is designed […]
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. […]
Compressed air success! Found gold
A wood products company decided to conduct a treasure hunt for energy savings on its compressed air system. Plant personnel were scheduled to have a production outage during a one-week period — and so they invited a compressed air expert to help them identify any suggested improvements to the system. Industrial plants frequently have staff […]
Spartan Scientific expands KR media separated valve line
Spartan Scientific, a manufacturer of high-quality fluid & pneumatic automation components, releases a newly engineered addition to its media-separated valve offerings. Manufactured with all-stainless steel working components along with a glass-filled nylon valve body, the 4DKR provides controlled flow in applications that require a separation of media flow within a direct-acting valve. The Series 4DKR […]
Elgi announces energy-saving dryers at the 2023 AICD conference
Elgi North America will introduce the AR Premium Series Energy Saving Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers at the annual Association of Independent Compressor Distributors (AICD) conference in Grapevine, Texas, taking place from May 21–23. In addition, Elgi will showcase its expanded range of AB Series oil-free screw air compressors in 15-30 hp, offering a more affordable […]
Compressed air fail: Poor disposal
A lumber processor installed a remote lubricant-injected rotary screw compressor in an outbuilding to supply compressed air to a debarking system out in the yard. Lubricant injected air compressors normally pass some compressor oil into the system — usually about 4 parts per million for a well-maintained compressor — even though there is an air/oil […]
New dry rotary vane vacuum pumps from Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco has developed its new DVS vacuum pump series with a focus on this requirement profile. The result: the DVS models are oil-free, dry rotary vane pumps that guarantee emission-free, quiet operation and do not contaminate the processes. High efficiency at competitive costs “This makes them ideally suited for a wide range of applications, […]
Kaeser’s new active oil-water separator shown at Hannover Fair
With the intelligent Aquamat i.CF, Kaeser Kompressoren has redefined condensate treatment. Available for delivery volumes up to 90 m³/min, this new oil-water separator now comes equipped for the first time with the Aquamat Control internal controller, which undertakes active management of the process while simplifying maintenance planning and making service work cleaner. Wherever compressed air […]
Compressed air fail: Strange CFM profile
A sawmill maintenance department requested a compressed air assessment to determine the efficiency of its system and to find out if any improvements could be made to reduce their compressed air system operating costs. They called in an auditor who placed data logging equipment to measure pressure, flow, and power. From these measurements, the auditor […]
Rotary screw compressors more efficient than ever
Rotary screw compressors are the dependable backbone of an industrial compressed air supply. With a multitude of features, the innovative CSD/CSDX range from Kaeser Kompressoren fulfills this role more efficiently, dependably, and economically than ever before, while at the same time reducing a company’s CO² footprint. The most important highlight of these compressors is their […]
Compressed air fail: Air dryer robbery
A routine audit of a wood products company has turned up some surprising results on a system that was thought to be very efficient. The system is simple — one compressor, a 100-hp variable speed drive controlled (VSD) screw compressor, and a heatless desiccant air dryer. Data loggers were placed on the system by a […]
Compressed air fail: Check valves
A metal products company had a system of multiple compressors arranged in two compressor rooms. The maintenance workers were having constant problems setting up their compressors to run in a logical sequence. For some reason, the main compressor would never turn off in automatic start, which would allow them to save energy. The big compressor […]
Lifting more with less with Piab’s new piCOBOT L vacuum pump unit
Piab has continued to evolve its piCOBOT program by adding a larger version. Developed with the needs of customers in mind who work with small industrial robots and cobots, its high payload combined with a low building height enables maximum capacity usage. With its lifting capability of up to 35 lb, the piCOBOT L is […]
Compressed air fail: Remote coolers
A wood products company had issues with its compressor room. Despite installing good filtering, the compressor oil and air coolers would clog up with sawdust — and the compressors would constantly overheat. The maintenance manager, remembering something from one of his previous jobs, decided to move his compressor coolers outdoors. This worked great in the […]
Quality air is critical for aerospace manufacturing
Compressed air quality is crucial for aerospace manufacturing, as aircraft components and tools must be of the highest quality and precision. This demanding standard for component quality urges aerospace manufacturers to utilize compressed air with specific requirements. The air must be clean, dry, and unvaried under pressure. If the air becomes dirty, moist, or varies […]
Festo solution for DeltaV DCS allows pilot valve manifold, I/O integration
Festo now offers CPX valve manifold configuration to Emerson DeltaV DCS systems for fast, simple, and effective programming, commissioning, and validation of Festo-based pneumatics for skids and machines. This first-of-its-kind third-party commissioning solution brings one of the world’s most versatile valve manifold control platforms, CPX, to the DeltaV DCS ecosystem. Fast commissioning enables system integrators […]
Get a grip with modular vacuum kits
Vacuum gripper technologies provide many advantages for machine and OEM payload handling. Designers find that modular gripper system kits are a versatile and rapid way to create handling solutions, with other benefits such as internal vacuum routing. By Pat Phillips, AutomationDirect Manufacturing equipment, pick-and-place systems, robotics, and other machinery typically need to reliably grip products, […]
Reduced price for CAGI exams offered
Are you a compressed air professional who would like to get CAGI Certified? Currently there is a reduced price for writing the Certified Compressed Air System Specialist exam to obtain your CCASS designation. Having this designation is important as it shows you have the knowledge required to be competent in the industry, knowing the general […]
Festo Didactic’s digital portal allows individualized learning experiences
Digitalization is changing the way people learn, and not just because in-person learning became so difficult with pandemic lockdowns. Trends such as mobile, micro, adaptive, and virtual reality learning were already beginning to exert an influence in technical education and training. To further these and other trends, Festo Didactic developed a digital learning portal – […]
Pack Expo Las Vegas 2023 registration open
Registration for Pack Expo Las Vegas 2023, set for September 11–13, at Las Vegas Convention Center opens today. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the show is the most comprehensive packaging and processing event in North America with over 2,000 suppliers showcasing diverse innovations for more than 40 vertical markets. “Our […]
Packaging manufacturer increases uptime with oil-free compressed air technology
Oil-free compressed air is crucial for packaging companies as there is zero tolerance for oil vapor presence in production. For a flexible packaging company serving North America’s food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, detecting oil contamination would mean a facility shutting down, resulting in significant production loss and maintenance costs. In addition, if oil traces reach […]
Why is compressed air pipeline velocity important?
How do you determine the diameter of the compressor room header pipe? Many piping installers might take a look at the outlet diameter of the air compressor and chose a similar size, but due to the variety of different outlet sizes, and the combination of flow of multiple compressors in a room this may not […]
Piab Group acquires COVAL
Piab Group has acquired COVAL, a manufacturer of vacuum automation components and systems. With more than 35 years of history, COVAL adds a solid portfolio of premium products, highly experienced and skilled employees, a strong brand known for the highest quality standards, and many new customers to Piab Group. Through the acquisition, Piab Group is […]
Piab Group acquires IB Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik
Piab Group has entered into an agreement to acquire IB Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik. IB develops and builds customer-specific, turnkey systems for filling, emptying, metering, and conveying bulk materials. IB is also a well-known partner in the additive manufacturing industry, where they provide ultra-sonic sieving and reclaim machines. The IB product portfolio completes the Piab additive […]
What are the primary goals for compressed air systems?
When running an efficient compressed air system, the primary goals for the production of air are the following: • A properly managed supply side results in clean dry stable air being delivered at the appropriate pressure in a cost-effective manner. • It is critically important to ensure the consumption of compressed air is managed by […]