.: Compressed Air Top Related Articles
1). Seven steps to selecting the right air cylinder.
What do you need to know to select the right air cylinder from the huge variety available in the industrial marketplace? Here is the answer.
How much force do you need to move the object you wish to move?
You'll need to know the weight of the object. Consider what the object being moved is sliding and know that this friction is adding to the load.
Article tags: compressed air, air cylinders, air compressors, air circuits, air valves, air filters, compressors, air filters
2). It's FRL on purpose, folks!
FRL is an acronym for Filter, Regulator and Lubricator, devices used to “condition” the compressed air from a compressor before it gets to your application be that through an air valve to air cylinders, powering air tools and so on.
When called in to troubleshoot a complaint from a client that their compressed air filter, regulator or lubricator wasn’t working, the first response is to ask the symptoms.
Article tags: filter, regulator, lubricator, frl, compressed air, air compressors, air treatment, air preparation
3). Why does water run out my compressed air line every time I turn the air on?
Water. This drives every compressed air user nuts!!! Every time they use an air tool, blow-off gun, or even fill the inflatable air mattress, water appears along with the compressed air.
The water is a problem if the compressed air is moving through a tool that can rust or be negatively affected by airborne particles, and, given enough 'fill-ups and empties' a significant amount of water will appear in anything which you inflate or run with compressed air.
Article tags: water, air line, water in air, cylinder, air cylinder, cylinder speed, speed control, air compressors, compressed air, actuators, fittings, air valve
4). Why use a compressed air regulator?
If you purchase a "do-it-yourself" type air compressor, or if you purchase any type of air compressor for that matter, check to make sure that it comes with an Air Regulator. If not, purchase one. You will be glad you did!
An air regulator is a device that lowers the downstream air pressure. Downstream air is the air that's moving from the regulator towards your application.
Article tags: regulator, air compressor, compressed air, air tools, air filter, air fittings, air regulation, lubricator
5). Why care if there is water in your compressed air?
The process of compressing air generates free water, and increases air borne water vapour. If you are not sure about why this occurs, take a look at the article on this site entitled "Why does water run out my compressed air line?".
So what is the problem with a little - or perhaps a lot :-) - of water coming down the compressed air line along with the compressed air?
A simple answer may be that it depends on what you are using the compressed air for.
Article tags: compressed air, air compressor, water, filter, clean air, auto drain, air valve, air cylinder, stuck valve, air tool maintenance
6). Is it the valve or is it the cylinder; whichever, it's costing you a lot of money?
Reducing air leaks in your plant can save thousands of dollars annually. Compressed air is one of the most costly forms of energy you can use in your plant, of course, it's one of the most versatile, fast and strong too.
When it's "quiet time" in the plant, wander around the machinery and listen. You will often hear the gentle (or perhaps not so gentle) hissing of air escaping from the exhaust port of your air valves.
Article tags: compressed air, air compressors, air circuits, troubleshoot air leaks, air cylinders, air valves, air filters
7). Air Compressors and Energy
You may discover that, even though you are using a smaller amount of compressed air, the electric energy consumed does not diminish proportionately and occasionally...
Article tags: compressed air, supply, electric power, motors, coolers
8). What's a 3/2 compressed air valve?
Recently, I published an article on this site titled: What's a 2/2 compressed air valve? Here, in the next installment in this series, is information on a slightly more complex air valve; the 3/2 style.
The first number in the 3/2 air valve, the three, refers to the number of "working" air ports that are found in the valve body. That is, the number of ports that supply air to the valve, and channel the compressed air to whatever it is that the valve is supposed to do.
Article tags: air valve, compressed air, air compressor, valves, types of valves, air filters, air lines, working with compressed air
9). About compressed air filters!
If you are one of the many folks that have purchased or are considering purchasing a home compressor, you do want to have a bit of information about compressed air filters.
Compressing air generates a reservoir (receiver / air tank) full of wet, dirty, hot compressed air.
As the air leaves the tank, it carries the crud and free water along with it.
Article tags: air valve, compressed air, air compressor, valves, types of valves, air filters, air lines, working with compressed air
10). Sandblast Your Way Through It All
Sandblast is a process wherein a stream of sand is driven by a jet of compressed air or by water against a surface.
Article tags: sandblast, resurfacing, sand, abrasive, compressed air, particles, goggles
11). What if there's no power - how do I control my pneumatic circuit?
With the advent of the small PLC's (programmable logic controllers), the Logo or the Pico to name just a couple, controlling pneumatic circuits can be achieved with high reliability, low complexity, and at a relatively low cost with one of the currently available, easy to program controllers.
That's all well and good for the vast majority of applications that occur in a plant environment that offers electricity.
Article tags: air logic, air circuts, compressed air, and gate, or gate, not gate, air compressors, air circuits, troubleshoot air leaks, air cylinders, air valves
12). What about the air-lines?
It's really easy to pick up a low cost air compressor at the local store anymore. But, how do you get the air from the compressor to your application? Folks that are plumbing up compressed air lines for their garages or workshops at home, as well as the professional plant person, have a variety of options with which to do connect the various air-lines available to them.
Article tags: air lines, fittings, couplers, connectors, compressed air, air compressor, water, filter, auto air valve, air cylinder, air tools
13). Don't use a needle valve to control your air cylinder speed!
Many industrial machines using compressed air as an energy source, use air cylinders or other pneumatic actuators to do the actual work.
Compressed air is 'explosive' as it moves from high pressure to low pressure on it's way back to atmosphere. That means when the air valve shifts and air flows to the cylinder, the cylinder piston and rod moves extremely quickly.
Article tags: cylinder, air cylinder, cylinder speed, speed control, air compressors, compressed air, actuators, fittings, air valve
14). What's a 2/2 compressed air valve?
Here's information on the simplest type of air valve; the 2/2 style.
The first 2 in the 2/2 air valve refers to the number of "working" air ports that are found in the valve body. That is, the number of ports that supply air to the valve, and channel the compressed air to whatever it is that the valve is supposed to do.
Most 2/2 valves will have numbers or letters etched, cast or painted near each of their two "working" air ports.
Article tags: air valve, compressed air, air compressor, valves, types of valves, air filters, air lines, working with compressed air