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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators

Pneumatic cylinders and actuators move a load using pressurized air stored within a piston or diaphragm. Depending on the direction of the load, you’ll either need an air cylinder or rotary actuator.

Air Cylinders Air cylinders move a load in a straight line using a piston rod. Compressed air either pushes or pulls the piston rod in and out of the cylinder barrel. Two key parameters for air cylinders include stroke and bore size. Stroke refers the distance the cylinder piston or rod extends when it is actuated. Bore refers to the diameter of the pneumatic cylinder. The larger the bore size, the more pressure or force the cylinder can exert.

Types of air cylinders:

Single acting air cylinders use one compressed air port to either push or pull the rod in a single direction. The rod then returns via spring action. Double acting air cylinders use compressed air ports on both ends of the cylinder to extend and retract the rod. There are a few options when shopping for air cylinders that allow you to further customize it for your application. For example, cushions allow for quieter piston operation. Also, many of the cylinder models on our site have various mounting options available.

Rotary Actuators Rotary actuators rotate objects around an axis. They use compressed air that produces continuous torque.

Many rotary actuators have a double rack-and-pinion design. Air enters through a port that pushes the piston linearly, which causes the connected rack’s gear teeth to engage with the teeth of the circular pinion and rotate the pinion shaft up to 360 degrees.

Rotary actuators also come with cushioning which allows for quieter operation.

Pneumatic Control Valves Pneumatic valves, also known as air valves, help stop and start the flow of air in industrial pneumatics. These can be manual like a foot valve or they can be electrical like a solenoid valve.

Pneumatic Solenoid Valves

solenoid air valveThese electric directional control valves stop, start or change the direction of air flow by applying electricity to the solenoid. To learn more about the different types of solenoid valves head on over to our Solenoid Valves 101 blog post. Types of solenoid valves:

Direct acting valves “directly” use the power supply from the electromagnet to open and close the valve. Pilot operated valves use the electromagnetic power combined with the pressure of the flowing air/liquid/gas to open and close the valve.

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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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How Do Industrial Pneumatic Systems Work?

If you have ever used a bicycle pump then you have seen the basic application of pneumatics. Many companies today incorporate industrial pneumatics into their machines. They have become so popular that you can find them in everyday items such as nail guns and vacuum cleaners.

A pneumatic system is a machine that uses pressurized air to control movements such as holding, moving, and forming materials together. Pneumatic equipment relies primarily on large amounts of compressed air to perform. It is important for many machines to carry and maintain constant air production.

In general, most pneumatic systems are composed of:

Compressor Receiver Valves Actuators Compressor

An air compressor is a pneumatic tool that converts the air we breathe into compressed air. The pressurized air is then used throughout the pneumatic system. Usually, the air compressor is fueled by a gas tank that forces air into the system to produce pressurized air. There are many types of air compressors available to meet your desired pressure and flow rate of the air. The different types of air compressors available are piston, rotary, centrifugal, and axial flow.

Receiver Air receivers are what their name indicates. It receives air from the compressor and stores it in a bigger tank called the air receiver. The air receiver can smooth the flow of air and keep it cool as it enters the tank. A large tank is able to dissipate heat much more quickly than a smaller tank. To compensate for the loss of air, the air receiver stores the compressed air under higher pressure. This ensures the delivery of the required energy needed.

Air Valves Air valves are an important pneumatic component because they stop and air valvechange the direction of air. They control the direction of airflow in order to move the actuator. Pneumatic systems may carry one or many valves. These can be manual like a foot valve or they can be electrical like a solenoid valve.

Pneumatic Actuators Actuators are simply the “movers” or the required movement of the pneumatic system. These output devices can be in the form of air cylinders or even robotic arms that move and lift materials or drill bits. Most actuators move in a straight linear path.

Air Preparation

In order to maximize the performance of your industrial pneumatic system, air preparation is necessary. Maintaining clean and dry air throughout your entire pneumatic system will extend its service life. Industrial applications such as clamping, positioning and lifting require constant high-quality air running throughout the system. Proper air preparation includes components such as filters, regulators, and sometimes lubricators.

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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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Directional Control Valves Explained

Pneumatic directional valves are used to start, stop or simply change the direction of the air flow as per the requirements in compressed air systems. Compressed air is used by many companies for operating their equipment and tools that are used in their production process.

To actually understand how directional control valves are used, it is very important to know the different types of directional valves available in the market.

Directional control valves are designed for a variety of applications, companies might use a single type of valve for any specific task, or they might use a combination of multiple types of directional control valves to carry out a particular task.

All these designs are divided into designs, like a spool, sliding seal, poppet, diaphragm and rotary. Out of all these designs, the poppet and the spool are the most common ones.

Spool Directional Control Valve Spool valve is of two types, lapped and bonded.

Lapped spool directional control valve is designed to provide users with the flow pattern that they desire in most of the applications. The low amount of external force is required for shifting balance and this quality of the spool makes it very easy to actuate the pool.

Also during a shifting stroke the spool is designed to remain constant. This makes it easy for the spool valve to complete the stroke easily when the stiction is removed.

Bonded spool directional control valves incorporate an elastometer seal that pushes against the pressure to ensure sealing. They are designed to be used in three, position-based applications and allows you to block the blowby that comes from the exhaust when the flow pattern is changed.

They are dirt tolerant and when regularly lubricated, can last for many years to come.

Both types of spool valves are available in 3 and 4-way configurations. A 3-way spool valve can also be used as a 2-way spool by simply blocking one port.

Poppet Directional Control Valves As the name implies, poppet valves incorporate the use of big poppet seals and its working is almost similar to that of a normal water tap in your home. The poppet seal of the valve moves in a direction that is perpendicular to the flat are of the valve and forces the annular ridge of the valve to ensure complete sealing.

Poppet valves are fast and easy to use. Their rugged construction makes them ideal for any demanding application. Poppet valves are designed in 2, 3, and 4-way configurations.

Now let us try to understand different types of valve configurations.

Two Way Valve Configuration They have two ports that are in connection to start or stop the flow of air. They normally incorporate a solenoid shift that is operated electrically to control the flow. They are very important in any air system as it offers a very simple start-stop function, and can be used to interconnect, isolate as well as interlock different parts of the system.

For two way valve take a look here.

Three Way Valve Configuration Three way valves are almost similar to two way valve, but they have an additional port that can be used to exhaust the downward stream of air.

They are available in open and closed configurations. They can be used for use in single or spring return cylinders. They are also ideal or use in systems where the load has to be kept in pressure with alternate exhaustion. They can be air operated as well as pilots.

They can also be used in pairs to control air cylinders (double acting) to completely replace four way valve. It is ideally recommended when there is a greater need for high speed of the cylinder.

It is because of the close coupling that the three way valves offer. Close arrangement of the couplings allows it to minimize the back pressure and drop pressure of the cylinder, allowing it to gain higher speeds.

Four Way Valve Configuration The use the function similar to that of the three way valve, where one remains open and another one closed. They have a couple of exhaust ports that work alternately to exhaust and to pressurize.

They are ideally used in air cylinders (double acting), air motors (bi-directional), and also in different air circuits. Moreover, two air cylinders (single acting), can be operated with the help of a single four way valve.

Among the three valve configurations, the three way valve can be very confusing to install. Functions like the jog-type applications of the cylinder and emergency stop are unnecessarily asked to perform, without even actually understanding the complexities and the rise of the cost it can result in.

To avoid this confusion and eliminate the rather expensive complexities, it is better to examine the below mentioned factors-

Is cylinders, emergency stop actually required in retract or extend phase? Stopping the cylinder in its mid-stroke is actually required? Is jobbing, during retract or extend phase absolutely compulsory? If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then only go ahead with performing the function. Apart from making things difficult, it can many times also result in a variety of safety hazards.

Maintenance Scheduled maintenance is the key to ensure that your directional control valves operate at their best. Let us have a look at some of the things you can do to ensure their flawless performance.

You should schedule the maintenance and lubrication to ensure that the valve is at its optimal condition. The person responsible for maintenance should have adequate knowledge and should keep records of the dates and tasks performed on the valve.

You can maintain a checklist that needs to be filled to ensure all the basic aspects of the valve are properly covered.

It is also useful to maintain the records of the parts replaced, date of servicing, serial number of the valves, and date of lubricating oil change for quick reference in future.

Review all the records once in a year. This will allow you to get an idea about the malfunctioning that takes place regularly. You can take the required action to eliminate this problem to ensure that the chances of breakdown and maintenance costs are reduced.

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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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Brief introduction Solenoid Valve Functions

The basic principle of the separating solenoid valves is based on a piston movement that closes and opens the individual valve paths. The piston is propelled by an electromagnetic coil. The state of absence of voltage on the coil is called the normal position of the valve.

Valve 3/2 normally open – it is a valve with 3 connections and 2 positions, in the normal position it supplies e. g. a one-way actuator – an open path between the power supply (1) and the receiver (2), after applying voltage to the coil it closes the power supply connection (1) and opens the way for venting the actuator (2 and 3).

Valve 3/2 normally closed – operation analogous to that of a normally open valve, except that the supply route in the normal position is closed and the vent path is open. 4/2 mono and bistable valve – two-position valve with 4 connections – supply connection (1), receiver connections (2 and 4) and vent connection (3).

In the first position there is an open path between the power supply and the first connection of the receiver (1-2) and the distance between the second connection of the receiver and the vent (4-3), after changing the valve position, the second connection of the receiver (1-4) is supplied while the first connection of the receiver is vented (2-3). In the case of monostable valves (with one coil) one position is normal, the change of position requires the supply of voltage per coil.

In bistable valves (with two coils) both positions are normal states and the change of position requires only a pulse to the corresponding coil. 4/2 valves are rarely found in pneumatics. 5/2 valves with two separate vent routes are usually used.

Valve 5/2 mono and bistable – valve with 5 connections and 2 positions, has a supply connection (1), two receiver connections (2 and 4) and two vent connections (3 and 5).

In the first position, the routes are opened between the power supply and the first connection of the receiver (1-2) and between the second connection of the receiver and the vent (4-5).

The second position opens the way between the power supply with the second receiver connection (1-4) and simultaneously venting the first receiver connection (2-3).

Valve 5/3 – it is a valve with the same connections as valve 5/2, performs identical functions in the most extreme positions, but additionally it has a central position, which in this valve is always normal position.

And it is precisely in terms of the function performed by the 5/3 valve in the central position that the valves are distinguished:

Locked centre position: all valve connections are closed, closed with aerated central position: there are open pathways between the power supply and the connections of the receiver (1-2,4) – with aerated central position With vented central position: closed supply route (1) while the paths between receivers and venting are open (2-3,4-5) The 5/3 solenoid valves have two coils, which is why they are sometimes mistakenly called bistable by some “experts”. In fact, they have only one stable state in the middle position, and changing the valve position requires voltage to be given to the corresponding coil.

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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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QUICK AND DIRTY GUIDE TO AIR RELEASE VALVES

An automatic air release valve provides a critical role in pressurized piping systems. In this blog post, we will discuss the best industries and applications for air release valves, their key advantages, and even some disadvantages.

WHY AIR RELEASE VALVES? Air trapped in a pipeline will naturally rise and collect at high points within the system. This trapped air can cause pump failures, faulty instrumentation readings, corrosion, flow issues, and water hammer or pressure surges. Unnecessary air in the pipeline also makes the pump work harder, resulting in additional energy consumption.

Oftentimes, the air in the pipelines is not due to improper installation of the pipes or supplemental equipment, but instead, a failure to properly de-aerate the line.

Air in the pipeline comes from 3 primary sources:

The pipeline itself – Before start-up, a pipeline isn’t technically empty, it’s filled with air. Until the pipeline is filled with fluid, the air must be evacuated. Fluid pumped – Water contains 2% air by volume. Other fluids like adhesives, or other thick fluids, can trap air in pockets. As fluid moves through the system, air separates from the fluid and accumulates at system high points. Mechanical equipment – Air can be drawn into the system through equipment like pumps, packing, valves, and pipe joints.

As air accumulates at high points in the system, a line restriction occurs. This line restriction increases head loss and increases pumping cycles, therefore increasing energy consumption.

As the fluid is forced through the restricted pipe, its velocity increases. As the velocity increases, it’s possible that all or part of the air pocket will break away and be carried downstream. This causes a high-pressure surge or water hammer.

Pressure surges and water hammer can cause serious damage to pumps, valves, and pipes. This is the biggest consequence of allowing air to accumulate in system high points.

If the pocket of air is not carried away by the velocity of the fluid, the pocket of air will continue to grow and cause the system to become completely air bound, resulting in flow stoppage.

The purpose of air release valves is to continually release excess air out of the system, resulting in smooth and efficient operation.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

Automatic air release valves are installed at the highest points in a pipeline where air naturally collects. Air bubbles enter the valve and displace the liquid inside, lowering the liquid level. When the level drops to where it no longer buoys the float, the float drops. This motion pulls the seat away from the orifice, triggering the valve to open and vent the accumulated air into the atmosphere.

As the air is vented, liquid re-enters the valve, once again buoying the float, lifting it until the seat presses against the orifice, closing the valve. This cycle automatically repeats as often as necessary to maintain an air-free system.

Proper installation is critical to the operation of air release valves. Because these valves are designed to release air from the piping system, they should be placed where the air is most likely to collect. Install them at system high points in the vertical position with the inlet down. Remember to add a shut-off valve below the valve in the event servicing is required.

BEST APPLICATIONS FOR AIR RELEASE VALVES Water pipelines and sewer force mains are popular areas to find air release valves. If correctly installed, you should see them at the peaks and high points of the system. Sometimes they might be slightly downstream or paired with a combination air/vacuum valve. Air release valves are ideal for any type of closed-loop or pressurized piping that can entrap air.

Air release valves have small orifices when compared with other types of air valves. Therefore, they’re best for applications with smaller volumes of air to exhaust.

ADVANTAGES Air release valves protect the pipeline system and maintain its efficiency. These valves are perfect for quickly venting large volumes of air during filling or startup. They also allow air back into the pipeline during emptying. This is important because some pipe materials can collapse under negative pressure.

Once an air release valve is installed, it constantly operates automatically.

DISADVANTAGES If a pipeline is filled or emptied too quickly, an air release valve does not always keep up with the air flow demands. You must size the valve correctly for your application.

IN CONCLUSION When air is allowed to accumulate in pumping systems, the risk for damage to mechanical equipment is heightened and efficiency is sacrificed. If a pumping system is experiencing pressure surges and lowered efficiency, implementing air release valves might be a good place to start.

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uflow-pneumatic · 2 years

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An Brief Introduction to Pneumatics

Back in the days, pneumatics have for some considerable time been used for carrying out the simplest mechanical tasks. However in more recent times it has played a more important role in the development of pneumatic technology for applications such as robotic and automation.

But before we delve into pneumatic technology, some of you might be wondering.. what exactly is pneumatic? How does a pneumatic system work? And where can we use pneumatics? Without further ado, let us get down to it.

What is Pneumatics?

As we all know, there are different sources of energy such as wind, solar, hydroelectric energy and the likes. As for pneumatic, it is the use of compressed air to transmit force and energy. Pneumatics have built-in air storage and rely on the pressure that ensues from putting the air within an enclosed space.

Important to note: Compressed air needs to be processed before it can be used. While we only need the force itself, air can become contaminated with dust particles, water vapor or other risk elements. These can cause friction within the pneumatic parts.

What is a Pneumatic System?

A pneumatic system is a system that uses compressed air to carry out work. They capture air, transport it around a circuit, and accomplish designated tasks with the generated energy. These are present in both manual and automated machines, and within the industrial sector such as construction and mining. In short, pneumatic systems can be used in a broad range of applications.

How Does A Pneumatic System Work?

A pneumatic system needs five basic components to make, store, control, move, and use compressed air:

A compressor—makes air. A reservoir (or receiver)—stores air. One or more valves—control air. A circuit—moves air between the other components. An actuator or motor—uses air to do something.

Pneumatic devices get all their power from the energy in the compressed air they use, so we can see that they need at least two key components: something to compress the air (the compressor) and something that uses compressed air to lift, move, or hold an object (the actuator). We also need a pipe or a network of pipes (the circuit) to get air from the compressor to the actuator and a component to switch the air on or off (a valve).

Since air is a very compressible gas, a basic system linking a compressor to an actuator through a circuit and a valve would work very slowly. When you switched it on, it would take time for the compressor to push air through the circuit and build up enough pressure to make the actuator move. So a pneumatic machine also has a reservoir where quite a bit of compressed air is stored under pressure, ready to deliver near-instant force as soon as the operating valve is opened.

Where Can We Use Pneumatics?

As pneumatic components can perform three types of motions: Linear, swivel, and rotary, it is a versatile player in both the industrial systems and in everyday objects. Dental drills use pneumatic forces during checkups and cleanings, while pipe organs and player pianos use the compressed air to produce wonderful music.

In an industrial system, applications include packaging, filling, transfers of material, sorting of parts. stacking of components, stamping and embossing of components.

In majority of these applications, compressed air is used for one or more of the following functions:

To determine the status of processors (sensors) Information processing (Processors) Switching of actuators by means of final control elements Carrying out work (actuators)

Thanks to technological progress made in material, design and production, processes have further improved the quality and diversity of pneumatic components and thereby contributed to their widely spread use in automation. Today, you can see pneumatic process automation being used in modern water technology, the chemical industry, the food and beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry and many other segments.

Innovation in pneumatic technology has also make waves for smart and creative designs in modern applications, such as the field of robotics to help with human tasks.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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What Is a Hydraulic Air Compressor

Hydraulic power has increased in popularity over the past few decades due to its unmatched ability to transmit power through a given system, simple maintenance, and fire safety properties. Implemented in aircraft control systems, elevators, and construction machines, hydraulics have found their way into several essential industries. One such use of hydraulics comes in the form of the hydraulic air compressor, which has found use in handheld tools and industrial vehicles alike. In this blog, we will discuss the function and applications of the hydraulic air compressor.

Hydraulic air compressors convert hydraulic power into mechanical power, and eventually, pneumatic power. The first step in this process involves using a hydraulic pump to force air or hydraulic fluid through a pipe which ultimately spins a motor. This motor attaches to an air compressor system using a belt and powers it using its spinning action. The pneumatic power created from the air compressor can then be used to power several different tools, including impact wrenches, jackhammers, air chucks, moles, and more.

Hydraulic air compressors are preferred over other power sources for several reasons. First, due to the fact that the system can create pneumatic power in a closed system without any external moving parts, hydraulic air compressors are much more reliable and have low maintenance costs compared to other power sources. They are also much more compact than traditional air compressor systems, which generally need to be towed behind a vehicle due to their size.

Although they are usually sold and installed as standalone units, smaller hydraulic air compressors have also been implemented in existing equipment from various industries to increase efficiency and lower costs. For example, in agriculture, compressors can be used to power milking machines, tractors, or seeders and have proven to improve crop yields while reducing energy costs. Hydraulic air compressors have also found use more recently in medicine to power various pieces of handheld equipment and aid in sterilization. Such systems are preferred over traditional air compressors because the hydraulic fluid is kept separate from the compressor, thus lowering the chance of contamination.

Like any important equipment, hydraulic air compressors should be regularly inspected and maintained. Some maintenance items, such as checking the hydraulic fluid level, examining the system for leaks, and ensuring no damage to the pressure relief valve, should be completed daily. Additionally, tasks like changing the compressor oil and replacing the air filter should occur after 500 hours of use.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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Detailed Working of Pneumatic System Components

Pneumatic systems are defined as a collection of interconnected components that use compressed air to operate automated equipment in a variety of industries. They are often found in dental drills, air brakes on buses, exercise machines, inflatable structures, and more. Regardless of how they are implemented, pneumatic systems all use the same simple components, all of which this blog will outline.

Intake Filter

For a pneumatic system to work optimally, high quality air must be used. As the air we breathe contains particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), air intake filters serve as a filtration mechanism that removes any contaminants. Additionally, they remove any moisture, which can damage the machine.

Air Compressor

The entire system works in a vacuum and air is drawn into the system using a piston. When the piston is on one end of the cylinder, a vacuum is created to draw air in. As it moves to the other side of the cylinder, the air becomes pressurized, forcing it through a check valve and into a storage tank or accumulator. The piston is able to move back and forth via an electric motor with a crankshaft and connecting rod attached.

Meanwhile, sensors tell the system when the tank has reached maximum pressure. As a result, the compressor will shut off and turn on once the compressed air pressure drops below a certain level.

Check Valves

Check valves are a type of valve that enables compressed air to flow in one direction. Systems use varying types of valves, those of which include solenoid valves, directional control valves, gate valves, relief valves, and more. In particular, check valves do not allow air to flow back into the component through which it just passed. As such, air pressure builds up so that it can work.

Air Treatment Unit

Before the air can make its way into the accumulator and become pressurized, it must pass through an air treatment unit. Essentially, this unit is equipped with a series of fine grade filters to remove finer particulate matter. Additionally, it contains a dryer to remove any water that stays in the air. Then, the air is cooled in order to lower its dew point, allowing more moisture to drop out. The gas is warmed back up before going into the accumulator.

With some air treatment units, a type of chemical called a desiccant is used to collect additional moisture from the air. In some instances, compressors will have FRL units which consist of a filter, regulator, and lubricator. Beyond removing dust and moisture from compressed air, they also provide excellent lubrication to any air-driven tools.

Accumulator

The accumulator tank, or buffer tank, is a cylinder that receives air from the compressor, allowing air to accumulate and build pressure. They are furnished with a primary shut-off sensor, and a relief valve to prevent the tank from becoming pressurized beyond the capacities of the tank wall.

Feed Lines

Feed lines push compressed air through various parts of the system. They come in the form of large hoses that allow compressed air to move quickly, and are designed to withstand the strain of pressure without rupturing the cylinder.

Actuators

Lastly, actuators are the part of the pneumatic system that does the work. With the most common variations being a cylinder or plunger design, compressed air is pushed into the chamber and forced out of a smaller hole as the piston moves forward. This action drives chisels, drills, and other rotating apparatuses.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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Special Solenoid Valve for Pneumatic Valve Actuators

In our industrial process control operations, we strive for uninterrupted reliable operation of control valves to maintain safe conditions and produce the desired process outcomes. Let’s look at pneumatic valve actuators and their control solenoids. Uflow-pneumatic has a well thought out solution to enhancing actuator performance and longevity with their CATS solenoid valve. Instead of paraphrasing, I share the manufacturer’s own words describing the operational benefits…

All spring return actuators that use a 3-way solenoid valve require air to enter and leave the spring chambers. As compressed air is introduced to the actuator to push the pistons apart, air from the spring chambers must be allowed to vent. During the fail or spring stroke, the compressed air between the pistons must exhaust to permit the springs to drive the pistons together. This piston movement creates a vacuum in the spring chambers which is usually filled by ambient air that may contain dirt, abrasives, corrosives and moisture of which are bad for the actuator – reducing its performance and life. A wrong solution for this problem is the use of a 4 way solenoid valve (sometimes referred to as “air assist”). It does prevent the ambient air from entering the actuator, but it will also pressurise the spring chambers. The actuator now acts like an air to open, air to close unit. In the unlikely event of a spring breakage or if the valve torque increases, due to line media build up within the valve, the actuator would still appear to operate normally until its fail action was needed in an emergency. At this most critical time, with supply air not available, the actuator could not perform as intended and it’s function as a safety device would be defeated.

As the solenoid is de-energised, permitting the springs to push the pistons together, an internal by-pass in the CATS valve permits some of the exhausting air to fill the spring chambers at atmospheric pressure while the remainder exhausts to atmosphere. No ambient air enters the actuator. Only clean supply air gets into the actuator – Air that was normally planned to be vented!-There is no pressure build up that can lead to false torque availability on the fail stroke, as in the case of air assisted springs! No extra clean compressed air is used! The solenoid valves are available in a number of configurations to accommodate almost any installation. To summarize, the advantages include:

Maximises actuator life. Reduces installation and initial costs. Prevents actuator seal failure. Prevents corrosives from entering actuator. Prevents dirty air from entering actuator. Proves that the actuator springs are working correctly every stroke. NAMUR standard – Easiest assembly possible – only two mounting screws. Eliminates brackets and tubing – mounts directly to the NAMUR pad on the actuator. Only one style of solenoid valve required for Spring Return and Double Acting actuators – reducing inventory costs.

To explore how these solenoid valves can improve your pneumatic valve actuator operation and longevity, contact a product specialist and share your requirements. Combining your process expertise with the product application knowledge of a professional sales engineer will move you quickly toward a good solution.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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Normally Open Solenoid Valve

Solenoid valves are used to control the flow of fluids (gases and liquids). These valves act by opening or closing orifices through which these fluids flow. There are two basic operations of solenoid valves: the normally open solenoid valve (NO) and the normally closed (NC) versions. These valves are produced by different manufacturers, but their basic operations are the same. The operation of the valve is one of the considerations to make while choosing a solenoid valve.

In the NO operation, energizing (passing electric current through) the coil closes the solenoid valve. When the current is cut off (what is known as de-energizing), the valve opens. This valve operation is normally preferred for non-explosive and non-corrosive fluids such as air, light oil and water.

The Normally Open valve operation is useful in situations where it is necessary to keep the fluids flowing at all times. A good example is the cooling tower of an industrial system that should always be on to avoid overheating. In that case, the solenoid is only energized (to close the valve) when there is a real need to close it, for example, during scheduled maintenance or repairs.

The operation of the valve is just one of the considerations to make while choosing a solenoid valve. Everything that influences the operation of the solenoid valve should be considered. For example, the viscosity of the fluid, the size of the orifice as well as the temperature of the medium should be considered.

Another consideration to make is the compatibility of the fluid and the material of the valve. The good news is that most valve materials are compatible with different fluids such as oil, air, water, steam and even corrosive fluids. Nonetheless, this fact must still be confirmed before choosing a valve. Finally, the pressure rating of the valve, which is directly related to the size of the orifice, must also be considered.

Pairing the correct Normally Open Solenoid Valve to your project shouldn’t be to difficult if you have all of the information available that we discussed. These types of valves are less common and might be harder to find when your looking around. Make sure to always buy your valves from a reputable distributor that can offer support in the event your valve gives you any trouble.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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How to Get Best Performance from Pneumatic Vibrators

TIP #1: Mount Your Vibrators Correctly

Sounds simple, right? You’d be surprised at how many times we come across vibrators that are improperly installed. Make sure that you get it right the first time so that you can get the best performance and longest life out of your Uflow Pneumatic Vibrators. We include easy-to-follow, detailed instructions with every vibrator. But if you need more help or you just want to be sure, just send us a photo! We’ll be happy to mark up your photo so you can see exactly how your Uflow Vibrator should be installed on your equipment.

One of the ways you can ensure a good mount is to select the correct mounting plate and channel for your bin. Here is a useful section from our Turbine Vibrators installation guide See All Uflow Installation and Service Manuals

TIP #2: Make Sure That Your Air Line is in Good Shape and the Right Size

Kinks, holes and leaks in your air line can easily degrade the performance of your pneumatic vibration equipment, causing it to run and then stop unexpectedly. Vibrator performance can be degraded if your air line is split between units (“T” junction) or used to run multiple vibrators. Best practice is to run separate, correctly-sized lines for each unit in operation and to perform periodic checks for kinks, leaks and holes.

TIP #3: Use Correct Air Pressure (PSI) and Air Flow (CFM)

Insufficient or too high air pressure flow can cause unit failures. So if you’re serious about getting great vibrator performance, then an air pressure gauge is your best friend. Uflow Pneumatic Vibrators typically run on 60-80 PSI… so make sure that’s what you are giving them! Some of our vibrators can run on as low as 40 PSI or as much as 120 PSI, if those are your requirements. Just ask a Uflow tech for help recommending the right vibrator.

Vibrator CFM requirements vary by vibrator model and size, but are clearly marked on the vibrator housing or on the shipping box. If you have any questions, just call us. We have the information readily available to share with you.

TIP #4: Check Your Vibrator Mounting Fixtures Periodically

Most Uflow Pneumatic Vibrators are virtually maintenance-free, but as with any mechanical equipment, you should periodically check to make sure all’s well. Mounting bolts, welds, plumbing connections and other hardware can fatigue over time, so you want to discover the issue BEFORE you have a problem. And ALWAYS make sure to check that your safety cable is securely fastened to the bin, hopper or other structure.

TIP #5: Make Sure That Your Ball, Roller or Piston Vibrators are Properly Lubricated

Unless you’re using a Uflow Silent Turbine Vibrator, then chances are you may need to lubricate your vibrator. Ball vibrators, piston vibrators, roller vibrators and high-frequency vibrators all require lubricated air. Too much distance between the lubricator and vibration equipment can cause too little or no lubrication to reach the unit – your lubricator should be no more than 5 feet away from the unit. For best results, Uflow recommends using air tool oil. You may also use SAE 10 or lighter machine tool oil, Marvel Mystery oil, or automatic transmission oil

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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Air Vibrators Available in Many Designs

There are many different types and sizes of Rotary and Piston air vibrators. Uflow’s Customer Service team can assist you in the selection of the best type and size of industrial pneumatic vibrator for your particular application. Usually the smaller the structure, with a bulk flow problem, the smaller the air vibrator you need. Also, industrial vibrators work in harmony. If the application calls for 1000 force pounds to solve the flow problem, two vibrators generating 500 force pounds each will work.

For more information please see: How to Select and Size an Industrial Vibrator

Pneumatic Rotary Vibrators: Ball Vibrators Design Series Vibrators Turbine Vibrators Roller Vibrators Linear Vibrators: Piston Vibrators About Rotary Vibrators Rotary air vibrators produce a sinusoidal wave of energy that is used to restore flow to bulk materials. Compressed air turns an ‘unbalance’ weight, ball, roller, or turbine wheel to produce this sinusoidal wave of energy, which produces the vibration. The larger the “unbalance” and the faster it turns the greater the centrifugal force produced. When properly mounted the vibration is transferred through the hopper wall to the material inside, without flexing the structure. Also, proper mounting disperses the rotary vibration over a large area producing uniform material flow. As the material vibrates it is displaced from the hopper wall. The sinusoidal wave reduces the friction between the wall and the bulk material allowing gravity to restore material flow. Rotary vibrators are non-impacting. Since rotary vibration is directional, material will be encouraged to flow in the direction of the rotating ‘unbalance’.

Please see: How to Mount Industrial Vibrators

About Piston Vibrators Piston air vibrators, also called linear vibrators, produce shock waves of energy much like an automatic sledgehammer. Piston vibrators use the impact action produced by the oscillating piston to flex the bin wall. This flexing action loosens material stuck to the wall, thus restoring material flow.

For more information on rotary and piston industrial vibrators please see: How to Solve Flow Problems.

Advantages of Pneumatic Vibrators Most factories have available air to use Easy to install – no electrician needed Usually hassle free – very forgiving of a poor mount

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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How to Choose The Best Valve Manufacturer

Choose The Best Valve Manufacturer – In the process of purchasing the valve for the factory or application, we always keep in mind its primary requirements and preferences. We always try to match it with 100 percent quality and working efficiency. We focus on valve products and their quality only, but we forget to inquire about the valve manufacturer’s value and reputation in the market.

Most of the valve purchasers make this mistake and after installation, if they face any issue or defective, the valve makers refuse to help them and sometimes their valves do not fulfill the committed criteria. Most of the valve suppliers are third-party or commission agents who do not have any production house or a maintenance department for after-sales service. You have to find the correct valve manufacturer or supplier for your applications. To look up the best valve manufacturer or valve supplier, you must remember and follow a few points and all things will be set without any headache. So let’s start with the few basic points you have to keep in mind while dealing with a valve supplier.

Product Range and Stoke How many relevant products does the supplier have? This is the most important thing to find out the offering range of products from the manufacturer or supplier. Due to this if you require any other valve or supporting part of the valve, they can easily collaborate with you. The second thing is available in Stoke. The number of stoke is directly tied to when you will receive the valves and parts, which may be crucial if you have an outage planned or if you need to receive them in an emergency. By partnering with a valve supplier who has a large stock at present, the chances are increased that the products you need will be there.

After Sales Service Find the valve supplier who offers the after-sales service without any hesitations. Well-maintained valves also require to be repaired. Look for the one who can repair all kinds of valves, both in the shop and on the line. For pressure relief valves, make sure that your valve will be repaired with safety and fulfill all standard criteria. Also, find suppliers whose technicians have completed factory training by the valve manufacturers themselves.

Product Warranty & Guarantee Warranty is the assurance from the manufacturer to its customers. Make sure the valve supplier offers a warranty on their products with the normal terms & conditions. Due to this, the valve manufacturers advised you to select the best suitable valve for your application. Otherwise, the valve requires repairing, and under the warranty period, any manufacturer will neglect this scenario. So go with the manufacturer or supplier who offers the warranty guarantee on their products.

Valve Actuators & Testing Select the company that offers the valve pneumatic actuators as per your application requirement. The supplier you choose should be able to assist you with the selection of the right products, a company that will understand the relationship between actuators and valves and can offer services for both.

Lookup for the company that has its own production house and testing department. The best are ready for third-party inspection of their products.

Safety Safety at the workplace is the key role for factories and workers. Find out the company that follows all the safety criteria in the making of the valve and most importantly, for high-pressure valves.

Market Value & Certifications The valve manufacturers should have well reputation in the market and also they have achieved some certificates in this field for example ISO, API ATEX, CE, etc. The certified company gives you the best products and services with a long relationship.

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uflow-pneumatic · 3 years

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Solenoid Valve Functions