Mike Page, Editor, writes:
We see from your search that you're looking for information on the term "Pneumatic Automation",
and we have a large number of manufacturers' news releases and technical articles here on Manufacturingtalk which will be of interest.
Let me be your guide.
Start with
the news release Stepper motors get servo functionality from
Festo, which we summarised at the time by saying "An 'intelligent' stepper motor controller provides closed-loop current, speed and position control using encoder feedback and features CANopen fieldbus interface as standard".
A few weeks before,
we featured the news release Easy specification with on line configurator from
Bosch Rexroth: "Simple selection method and self-calculation functionality of on line configurator removes time and complexity from configuration process".
In November 2006, we covered the news from SensorsOne
concerning its TK industrial pressure transmitter
- take a look at Budget pressure sensor for pneumatic automation
which says: "The TK industrial pressure transmitter is a budget pressure sensor with a moderate accuracy developed for pneumatic automation and hydraulic system applications such as CNC machinery".
Take a look also at the news release from SMC Corporation of America, Blow gun provides smooth liquid flow,
as well as Coolant valves have 5 million cycles life from SMC Corporation of America,
and Cylinder has integral, compact lock unit from SMC Corporation of America.
See also:
Compact cylinder has lock and air cushion
(April 2006)
A compact cylinder series integrates a locking mechanism and novel style of air cushions while maintaining a short overall length for drop prevention, workpiece clamping, and emergency stopping
Air consumption optimised to cut energy costs
(March 2006)
One of the UK's largest snack food manufacturing plants will reduce its energy costs by GBP 10,000/year by optimising the air consumption of its pneumatic automation systems
Blow gun special valve design cuts pressure loss
(February 2006)
Blow gun has a special valve design and construction which can create smooth flow of fluid, for example, with a nozzle size 2.5mm, loss of outlet pressure will become less than 1%
Low profile rodless cylinders save 30% on weight
(December 2005)
Latest rodless cylinders use low profile designs to save space to achieve height, length and weight savings of 30% or more when compared to conventional rodless cylinder designs
Redesigned metric cylinders are 5-15% lighter
(December 2005)
Several innovative design features in a redesigned metric cylinder series include a 5 to 15% reduction in weight, a 30% increase in cushioning capabilities and an improved 'floating' cushion seal
Actuator cyclinder resists washdowns
(December 2005)
A guided hygienic actuator provides the high loading capabilities of a guided cylinder and can also be used in hygienic washdown applications or in applications where the cylinder contacts liquid
Rodless cylinders save on height and weight
(November 2005)
Height, length and weight savings of 30% or more are achievable with low profile rodless cylinders compared to conventional rodless cylinder designs with similar load and thrust ratings
Escapement provides reliable parts feeding
(October 2005)
Pneumatically driven escapement for separating and feeding individual parts, ensures that parts insertion, separation and release is carried out consistently without without jamming
Compact cylinder has lock and air cushion
(October 2005)
A compact cylinder with a lock and air cushion can be used in applications that include drop prevention, workpiece clamping, and emergency stopping
News on the Pneumatic automation components from Festo
(September 2005)
Advanced automation components have helped system integrator Barr and Paatz produce what is believed to be the first fully-automated contact lens manufacturing machine
Low profile rodless cylinders save weight too
(July 2005)
Rodless cylinders use low profile designs to save space compared to typical rodless cylinders and offer height, length and weight savings of 30% or more
Pneumatic escapement avoids parts feed jamming
(June 2005)
Pneumatically driven escapement for separating and feeding individual parts from vibratory feeders, magazines, and hoppers has an interlocking mechanism that prevents jamming
News on the Model Selection Software - pneumatic automation from SMC Corporation of America
(June 2005)
Model selection software allows users to input their pneumatic system requirements and see an output of the system characteristics, along with recommended product series
Air saving valve can reduce energy demand
(May 2005)
An air saving valve operates the return stroke at a reduced pressure and also prevents both jerky movement of working stroke and operation delay in a return stroke
Digital air flow sensors help save energy
(May 2005)
Digital air flow sensors aid in measuring and controlling air consumption to promote energy savings in pneumatic systems and feature an integral or remote digital display showing real-time flow rates
Compressed air consumption analysis services begun
(March 2005)
Two compressed air consumption analysis services are designed to help pneumatic automation builders and end-users minimise energy usage
Wide range of ATEX compliance products released
(February 2005)
With the introduction of the EC 94/9 ATEX directive, SMC Pneumatics has launched a wide range of ATEX compliant products - from cylinders to positioners and pumps
News on the Pneumatic automation jigging systems from Festo
(February 2005)
Determining a common pneumatic parts list and agreeing the mechanical design and control architectures during the development cycle ensured production jig startups
Air gripper lowers manipulator costs
(January 2005)
Compact height of a low profile air gripper,allows it to stay close to a manipulator, thus greatly reducing bending moments and thereby allowing the use of a lower cost manipulator
Vacuum generator module is compact
(December 2004)
Compact vacuum generator and control module is only 10mm wide, yet has built-in vacuum venturi, 30m suction filter, long-life solenoid valves and a digital vacuum switch
Guided table actuator is smooth, flexible
(December 2004)
Electric guided slide table actuator combines the smooth operation, flexibility and high positioning accuracy of a stepper motor actuator with quick set-up and simple actuation
Servo motor controller introduced
(December 2004)
Servo motor controller is a servo amplifier/controller for SMC LJ, LG and LTF series actuators and provides high-level features at mid-level pricing
UK pneumatics market growth could be deceptive
(December 2004)
The UK pneumatics market grew by over 4% in 2004 following three years of substantial decline, but is expected to falter again in 2005, notes Festo in a review of pneumatic automation trends
Festo appoints distributor in Lancashire
(December 2004)
The industrial component supplier Flexible Hose Supplies (FHS) has been appointed as a Premier Stockist by the pneumatics leader Festo and will support the UK's Bolton and Oldham areas
Fest appoints West Midlands pneumatics stockist
(November 2004)
Flangecombe,a specialist UK supplier of pneumatics technology located in the UK's West Midlands area, has been appointed a 'Premier Stockist' by Festo for its pneumatic control technology
Automation products maker names Scottish agent
(August 2004)
The industrial component supplier BSH, has been appointed by the pneumatics manufacturer, Festo, as a 'Premier Stockist' in the Grangemouth, Falkirk and Stirling areas of Scotland
Low profile air gripper saves space
(August 2004)
Using a low profile design to save space and reduce bending moments, a low profile air gripper remains close to the manipulator to which it is attached
Weighing'handling system operates on Fieldbus
(August 2004)
Fieldbus-controlled weighing/handling system with intelligent carts has fully-automated the production of minor-ingredient recipes for plastics, rubber and chemical processing
Automation miniaturisation demanded smaller tube
(July 2004)
Since more and more automation applications are getting miniaturised, the demand for smaller sizes of tubing and fittings is on the rise, hence the introduction of miniature tubing and fittings
Compact vacuum generator module also controls
(June 2004)
Each full-function compact vacuum generator and control module is only 10mm wide, but includes built-in vacuum venturi, 30m suction filter long life solenoid valves, and a digital vacuum switch
Regulator design has increased flexibility
(May 2004)
New regulator design improves relief sensitivity from 14.5 lb/in2 to less than 5 lb/in2 while increasing its resistance to ozone, and also incorporates an optional built in pressure gauge
Electric slide table actuator runs smoothly
(May 2004)
Electric guided slide table actuator combines the smooth operation, flexibility, and high positioning accuracy with quick set-up, simple actuation and low cost of pneumatic equivalent
Servo amplifier/controller slaves eight at once
(May 2004)
A servo amplifier/controller for SMC's LJ, LG and LTF series actuators allows up to 7 LC8s can be slaved together for control from a single PLC, which can execute 117 step commands
Guided cylinder has own slide bearings
(April 2004)
The world's largest manufacturer of pneumatic automation products, has announced the introduction of an extremely compact guided cylinder with its own slide bearings