Category: Automation
Planetary Gearboxes: An Ancient Technique with Modern Advantages
Planetary gears have 2,000-year-old roots in Greek history when they were used to predict the movements of the planets in the solar system. Today’s more sophisticated planetary gearboxes are used to drive a variety of machinery. What is a Planetary Gearbox? Planetary gears are a simple configuration of a central “sun” gear and orbiting “planet” […]
Electric Linear Actuators Offer Significant Cost Savings
When selecting a linear actuator, folks often overlook electric actuators because the upfront cost is typically higher than that of fluid actuators; however, due to their precision, flexibility, energy efficiency, environmentally friendliness and low maintenance, the lifecycle cost of electric actuators is often significantly lower than that of the other options. What’s the Difference between […]
Why Replace a Valve System with a Manifold?
As the number of valves in a pneumatic system grows, flow paths can begin to look like a plate of spaghetti. Aesthetics aside, these sprawling flow paths often increase the overall size of the valve system, lengthen response times and lead to leaks. For these reasons, it can be beneficial to replace space-hogging valve systems […]
How to Successfully Introduce a Cobot into the Workplace
Collaborative robots, also called cobots, are getting a lot of attention because they address labor shortages and enhance productivity in a more cost-effective way than traditional industrial robots due to a simpler set up (think more along the lines of plug-and-play than complex system integration) and their ability to work alongside humans, while freeing them […]
Six Ways to Boost the Energy Efficiency of Your Pneumatic System
With a global focus on sustainability, resourceful manufacturers are finding inventive ways to slash their carbon footprint and, at the same time, their electric bills. Unfortunately, pneumatic systems, which provide the compressed air to drive machine tools, painting booths, material handling equipment and other machinery throughout the manufacturing industry, are often overlooked in efficiency efforts […]
Reduce Costs Using Air-Piloted Valves
Air-piloted valves rely on air pressure from a pneumatic system, rather than electrical current or manual intervention, to control compressed air, liquids or gas in industrial automation or industrial process applications. While air-piloted valves are often specified where an air pressure-based operating system already exists, the absence of electrical current and manual involvement also make […]
Pulsed Air-Piloted Valves or Direct-Acting? When OEMs Only Go With What They Know, They May Be Missing Out
By Tom Voth, product marketing manager: pneumatic machine safety and electronic proportional valves, Emerson OEMs are always seeking solutions that reduce machine complexities and minimize operator intervention, and proportional valves are one of many important technologies involved in achieving these design goals. Though several proportional valve designs exist, pulsed air-piloted and direct-acting are the most […]
Proper Mounting Helps Prevent Gearbox Failure
Essential to providing speed and torque control to the motors of almost all industrial machinery, gearboxes can be found in applications ranging from machine tools to conveyor belts to industrial robots to heavy-duty mining equipment. Because they are durable mechanical devices designed to withstand the high temperatures, pressures and extreme conditions found in industrial environments, […]
Pneumatic Safety Systems: Redundant Safety Exhaust Valve vs. Zoned Safety for OEM Applications
Written by Tom Voth, Product Marketing Manager, Emerson, and Jeff Welker, product manager, FS Eng (TUV Rheinland, #18333/ 19, Machinery), Emerson OEMs who design equipment with pneumatic safety systems are repeatedly challenged with the dual task of protecting operator safety while also delivering maximum uptime. To accomplish safety goals, OEMs have traditionally integrated redundant safety […]
How are Pneumatic Valves Classified?
Properly chosen pneumatic valves can reliably and efficiently control the amount and direction of air flow from source to final system application. The wrong pneumatic valve, however, can lead to poor actuator performance, sticking or corroded valves, or possibly hazardous unintentional venting. These events result in production slow-downs and costly repairs. The best way to avoid […]