Multi-station, digital-to-pneumatic pressure regulator with DeviceNet uses a common air supply to provide electronic proportional control of output pressure using DeviceNET.
ControlAir announces the introduction of the Type 5500 Multi-station, Digital-to-Pneumatic Pressure Regulator with DeviceNet. This unique multi-station manifold uses a common air supply to provide electronic proportional control of output pressure from any combination of 4, 6 or 8 station units through the use of a devicenet communication protocol. An 8-bit digital signal describing the required output pressure for each electronic regulator is sent by DeviceNet to the Type 5500 node.

The Type 5500 converts the digital signal into the appropriate 4-20mA signal that is sent to each corresponding I/P transducer which adjusts output pressure to the desired setting.

Each manifold requires only one power cord and one fieldbus connection for up to 8 pressure outputs from one node.

This simplified system greatly reduces set up time and wiring costs associated with other analog I/P Transducers.

An optional pressure sensor feeds back a diagnostic signal by DeviceNet to the controller, which then monitors pressure output from each I/P.

Individual pneumatic shutoff valves allow adding, changing or removing electronic pressure regulators without shutting off the main air supply.

It also allows servicing one station while the others remain in operation.

In addition to delivering low hysteresis and excellent repeatability, the Type 5500 has RFI/EMI Effect protection.

Output ranges include 3-15 lb/in2 gauge, 3-27 lb/in2 gauge, 6-30 lb/in2 gauge, 2-60 lb/in2 gauge and 3-120 lb/in2 gauge.

Maximum supply pressure is 150 lb/in2 gauge.

Temperature limits range from -20 deg F to 150 deg F.

Built-in volume boosters provide flow capacity of up to 20ft3/min.

Mounting is available as wall or DIN Rail.

Applications include modulated control of valves, cylinders and actuators for machine tools, robotics, food and drug processing, semiconductor, textiles, medical diagnostic, material handling, test and assembly, pulp and paper, printing presses, tire production and material handling.

ControlAir manufactures precision pneumatic and electropneumatic controls.

ControlAir's markets include process control, semiconductor, printing and converting presses, diagnostic and surgical medical equipment, robotics, quality

Ultra reliable current to voltage converter is said to exceed the requirements of the process control industry applications and offers advantages in terms of performance and safety.
Norgren, the fluid and motion control specialist, has introduced a new ultra reliable I/P converter to its Watson Smith range of solutions. Designated as the Type 140 the new I/P converter exceeds the requirements of the process control industry applications worldwide. The Type 140 design has been based on an analysis of the key requirements and applications for this class of product in all major international markets.

Delivering advantage both in terms of safety and performance the features include; fail to zero output pressure on signal failure; advanced electronic closed loop, giving extreme control precision; rugged, IP66 housing to meet the most demanding environmental conditions; vibration immunity and extensive operating temperature range, - 40 + 85 deg C, make the type 140 suitable to a variety of mounting positions and locations.

The Type 140 has comprehensive hazardous area certification.

Approvals include North American, Canadian and European ATEX certification, encompassing intrinsically safe, type N and flameproof variants.

An additional User feature is the inclusion of a jack socket for on site monitoring and local calibration, thus ensuring maximum operational uptime.

The Type 140 has been designed with reliability in mind.

Encapsulated modular electronics and a sub micron, field replaceable, pilot air filter give an order of magnitude, greatly exceeding its predecessors, in reliability improvement.

Through Engineering Advantage, this addition to the Watson Smith range, gives the user a trouble free, fit and forget, current to pressure converter.

The unit is available in pressure ratings in the range 0f 0.2 to 1.0 bar with a flow capacity exceeding 300l/min.

By introducing solid state sensors, an electronics company has solved the problem of fitting sensors to T-slots in pneumatic cylinders, which can be tricky when access is limited.
Fitting sensors to T-slots in pneumatic cylinders can be tricky when access is limited. Being small, cylinder sensors are difficult to seal against wet environments, and while the sensor sits flush in the cylinder, the cable can snag and break the switch. Sensor market leader ifm electronic has addressed these problems and more with their new MK51 series solid-state cylinder sensors.

The unique, patented snap-fit mechanism allows the user to fit the switch with only one hand.

Even in a vertical slot it stays put while you reach for a screwdriver to tighten it.

No special, easily lost tiny Allen key is needed either.

Most cylinder sensors are fixed at the end furthest from the cable, so snagging the cable lifts the switch out of the slot.

Not so with the ifm unit.

Cleverly, ifm have integrated the fixing at the cable end, and moulded the cable into the housing, so the forces applied to the cable can be orders of magnitude greater than anything on the market now.

Moulding the cable in this way means a seal of IP67 or better.

Versions for the food industry with washdown resistant materials are included in the range.

ifm's solid state cylinder sensors are supplied as three-wire PNP or NPN, or even as a two-wire sensor for replacement of Reed switches while offering an infinitely longer service life.

Not all cylinders have a T-slot.

ifm has thought of that with a range of fittings for all common types of cylinder.

ifm is committed to working closely with its customers to develop products which precisely match their needs, and the company provides expert, readily accessible technical support to help users maximise the benefits they gain from ifm products.

Accumulator range extended to offer greater choice and more flexibility to suit an even wider array of applications where continuous high performance is critical.
Accumulator range extended to offer greater choice and more flexibility to suit an even wider array of applications where continuous high performance is critical. A range of CE-approved piston accumulators has been expanded Through its A Series range, Parker Hannifin is able to offer industry a wide selection of CE-approved piston accumulators. Further enhancing these capabilities, the company has extended the range to suit an even wider array of applications - as well as offering greater flexibility for the designer and end user.

Used for both industrial and mobile applications, A Series accumulators are ideal for applications such as suspension systems and pressure maintenance circuits - where continuous high performance is critical.

The new 125 and 200mm diameter units offer a maximum working pressure of 250 bar with the 200mm version offering standard volumes of up to 76litres and a maximum flow rate of up to 5,700litres/min.

The existing 50, 75, 100 and 150mm diameter models offer a maximum working pressure of either 250 or 350 bar.

If a standard accumulator does not fully address a customer's requirements, Parker's engineers are happy to discuss application-specific designs.

The A Series comes with a wide range of optional features such as seal compounds, metric and inch mounting styles, gas valves, safety fuses and high flow gas ports for use with remote gas storage bottles.

Certifications are also available to suit different market requirements.

In addition to the new range, to help engineers and designers determine the correct model for an application, Parker has released a new catalogue containing simple, easy-to-understand performance charts.

The company is also able to offer a complete specification and design service to ensure that the equipment supplied exactly matches the needs of the application.

Rodless pneumatic cylinders are a highly-appealing linear actuation technology that can save enormous space on machinery and now have higher load capacities.
Rodless pneumatic cylinders are a highly-appealing linear actuation technology that can save enormous space on machinery, but compared with conventional rodded cylinders their performance is often regarded as inferior. A novel new rodless cylinder design from Festo incorporates technology that delivers a step-change improvement in life cycle, load capacity and running costs - along with much simpler system building. Six diameters of cylinder ranging from 8 to 40mm are available in Festo's new DGC range, offering movement speeds to 3metres/second.

Despite compact dimensions, the largest cylinders in the product family will carry loads up to 50kg and accommodate very large forces to 7000N and torques to 380Nm - outstanding performance levels that provide great application flexibility.

Moreover, when applied within such application guidelines, DGC cylinders offer the same high life expectancies as conventional rodded cylinders.

Unbalanced loads are also possible and Festo offers a free design tool that allows users to calculate the loading for any application situation; Festo additionally offers a service to calculate the life expectancy of cylinders for any given application.

Higher running costs because of air leakage from rodless cylinders - which typically have a soft seal between the piston and load - is another common concern of automation builders.

The new sealing mechanism on DGC has virtually zero leakage.

A new clean-line aluminium body and piston-to-carriage connection mechanism are at the core of this shift in performance.

These provide improved rigidity and strength to support the increase in load capacity, while substantially reduce the manufacturing bill-of-materials and costs.

The highest specification ball bearing equipped guide is crimped into position during production for instance - eliminating multiple bolts and assembly operations - allowing Festo to offer the rodless cylinders at extremely competitive prices.

Three types of carriage guide are available depending on the actuation requirement and load: a basic version which has a guide with a plain polymer bearing suitable for light loads; a larger version for medium loads - which has a plain bearing for economy but one which is factory-adjusted for good performance; and a high-performance guide with stainless steel recirculating ball bearings.

The latter type will handle very large loads, and performs very well even with loads that apply a torque moment to the carriage - offering as much as three times the load handling capacity as some current generation products.

Backlash for this actuator variant is zero.

In addition to advancing rodless cylinder performance, Festo is offering the cylinders in a form that greatly simplifies specification and use.

Thanks to the DGC's novel sealing mechanism which connects the carriage to the internal piston via a zip-like seal uniquely positioned at 45 degrees on the extrusion, all the cylinder's fundamental accessories are available on one face - for very easy access and installation.

This includes the mountings which can be screwed on from the side, the adjustable end position stops, and the air connections - both of which are located at one end for ease of connection by virtue of a chamber incorporated into the body.

This approach makes it very easy to specify and apply rodless cylinders to machinery projects.

One of the widest ranges of non-electrical, ATEX certified pneumatic products for use in potentially explosive gaseous and dust laden atmospheres has been launched.
Asco Joucomatic has launched one of the widest ranges of non-electrical, ATEX certified pneumatic products for use in potentially explosive gaseous and dust laden atmospheres. The new products complement ASCO Joucomatic's range ATEX certified solenoid operators and enclosure types, which is one of the most extensive available. Asco's non-electrical ATEX range covers zones 1-21 /2-22, with certification for zone 0-20 available on magnetic detectors used with PEC and PES cylinders.

The range overall is extremely comprehensive, including air service units, spool valves, special interface Namur valves, direct operating solenoid valves, pilot valve islands with fieldbus control, and pneumatic cylinders with mountings and magnetic detectors.

All of these products are certified individually by ensuring that all metal surfaces, which could come into contact with an explosive atmosphere are earthed.

On most components earthing continuity is achieved by removing part of the surface treatment, ensuring direct contact to metal parts.

In the case of earth continuity on pneumatic cylinders, many manufacturers have found it necessary to connect the cylinder piston rod to earth.

With Asco Joucomatic's ATEX 450, 453 and 449 series of cylinders this procedure is not required, saving the equipment user both time and cost.

Asco's alternative is to provide five spot faces for earthing on the cylinders: four on the mounting screws of the rear end cap and one on the mounting screws of the front cap.

The benefit of this arrangement is that, as the piston rod is always in contact with the guiding bearing, earthing continuity is ensured between the body and rod of the cylinder.

OEMs and users also benefit from Asco Joucomatic's certification of individual devices, which provides flexibility by allowing the association of many like-certified components in assemblies.

What this means in practice is that users of pre-assembled ATEX devices are not constrained from modifying them, because the combination of devices or assemblies is not subject to a single overall ATEX certification.

Short Form Catalog includes new products and industry approvals to a line of precision air pressure regulators and relays that provide a high regulation accuracy and repeatability.
ControlAir has released a new Short Form Catalog which includes new products and industry approvals to its line of Precision Air Pressure Regulators and Relays. Devices are designed to provide a high level of regulation accuracy and repeatability. A unique stainless steel capsule is used as a sensing device rather than range springs which are found on most regulators currently available.

The multi-stage design causes self-correction at pressure variations as small as 0.01 lb/in2g.

Some features offered include: * Flow capacities up to 80 SCFM * Control of output pressure to within 0.1% accuracy * Insensitive to changes in supply pressure and flow * High relief capacity * Able to hold a set pressure over wide ranging operating temperatures.

* Intrinsically Safe Approvals.

Regulators and relays are ideal for any pneumatic control system that requires precise regulation of air pressure in pipes and vessels.

Applications include valve actuation, medical diagnostic instruments, web tensioning, roll loading, control panels, pneumatic counter balancers, test and lab apparatus, liquid dispensing machines, process control, robotics and leak testing equipment.

The regulators and relays are offered in various pressure output ranges from 0 to 150 lb/in2.

Porting is 1/8in, 1/4in, 3/8in NPT.

All regulators come complete with 1/4in NPT gauge ports.

Options include Tamperproof Cover and Factory Preset Output Pressures.

ControlAir manufactures precision pneumatic and electropneumatic controls.

ControlAirs markets include process control, semiconductor, printing and converting presses, diagnostic and surgical medical equipment, robotics, quality control, automotive, analyzers, compressors, pumps and paint equipment.

Rodless pneumatic cylinders are a highly-appealing linear actuation technology that can save enormous space on machinery and now have higher load capacities.
Rodless pneumatic cylinders are a highly-appealing linear actuation technology that can save enormous space on machinery, but compared with conventional rodded cylinders their performance is often regarded as inferior. A novel new rodless cylinder design from Festo incorporates technology that delivers a step-change improvement in life cycle, load capacity and running costs - along with much simpler system building. Six diameters of cylinder ranging from 8 to 40mm are available in Festo's new DGC range, offering movement speeds to 3metres/second.

Despite compact dimensions, the largest cylinders in the product family will carry loads up to 50kg and accommodate very large forces to 7000N and torques to 380Nm - outstanding performance levels that provide great application flexibility.

Moreover, when applied within such application guidelines, DGC cylinders offer the same high life expectancies as conventional rodded cylinders.

Unbalanced loads are also possible and Festo offers a free design tool that allows users to calculate the loading for any application situation; Festo additionally offers a service to calculate the life expectancy of cylinders for any given application.

Higher running costs because of air leakage from rodless cylinders - which typically have a soft seal between the piston and load - is another common concern of automation builders.

The new sealing mechanism on DGC has virtually zero leakage.

A new clean-line aluminium body and piston-to-carriage connection mechanism are at the core of this shift in performance.

These provide improved rigidity and strength to support the increase in load capacity, while substantially reduce the manufacturing bill-of-materials and costs.

The highest specification ball bearing equipped guide is crimped into position during production for instance - eliminating multiple bolts and assembly operations - allowing Festo to offer the rodless cylinders at extremely competitive prices.

Three types of carriage guide are available depending on the actuation requirement and load: a basic version which has a guide with a plain polymer bearing suitable for light loads; a larger version for medium loads - which has a plain bearing for economy but one which is factory-adjusted for good performance; and a high-performance guide with stainless steel recirculating ball bearings.

The latter type will handle very large loads, and performs very well even with loads that apply a torque moment to the carriage - offering as much as three times the load handling capacity as some current generation products.

Backlash for this actuator variant is zero.

In addition to advancing rodless cylinder performance, Festo is offering the cylinders in a form that greatly simplifies specification and use.

Thanks to the DGC's novel sealing mechanism which connects the carriage to the internal piston via a zip-like seal uniquely positioned at 45 degrees on the extrusion, all the cylinder's fundamental accessories are available on one face - for very easy access and installation.

This includes the mountings which can be screwed on from the side, the adjustable end position stops, and the air connections - both of which are located at one end for ease of connection by virtue of a chamber incorporated into the body.

Beko Technologies has embraced the benefits offered by screen media technology to produce CD-Roms on its Drypoint and Bekosplit products.
Beko Technologies has embraced the benefits offered by screen media technology to produce CD-Roms on its Drypoint and Bekosplit products. Four further CDs are currently in production to create a Beko product CD library that will allow customers to browse in-depth information on the complete Beko range with ease. The CD-Roms have been designed and produced by Marksman International to provide comprehensive information on Beko and the target product in a simple, user-friendly way.

Each CD has an auto run facility, and clear menus allow the user to select the type of information required, whether it be on applications for the product, the model required to meet the customer specification, installation instructions or background on Beko itself.

Mike Argent, general manager at Beko comments, 'Beko is at the forefront of compressed air technology.

It is therefore particularly appropriate that we should turn to the latest in communications technology to present our range of products to our customer base.

A CD can hold much more information than is possible on paper - and it's more accessible, too.

These new CDs will help our customers gain a greater understanding of how our products can help them as well as giving them the opportunity to identify the right product to solve their particular problems or needs.' Beko has been involved in the development, manufacture and marketing of discharge and treatment systems for compressed air condensates and emulsion splitting plants for industrial wastewater since 1982.

Other Beko products include Bekomat condensate drains, ™wamat oil-water separation systems, Clearpoint compressed air filters and the new Bekoblizz deep-cooling system which uses precisely controlled dry compressed air down to -45degC, new technology that is significantly reducing cycle times within the plastics industry.

Norgren has extended the world's largest range of rodless cylinders even further to incorporate a spindle-driven electric linear actuator and a precision heavy-duty cylinder.
Norgren extends its range of rodless cylinders Norgren has extended the world's largest range of rodless cylinders even further to incorporate a spindle-driven electric linear actuator and a precision heavy-duty cylinder. The new versions feature external guiding or precision roller guiding, which means they can handle higher loads and moments. Norgren's basic series of the LINTRA rodless cylinders has also been improved by the use of reinforced guidings and the incorporation of a new groove.

Precise control of position, speed and force are made possible through the new electric LINTRA Spindle range.

LINTRA Spindle is interchangeable with the LINTRA series M/46000 and available with ball screw or lead screw spindles in five nominal sizes of 25, 32, 40, 50 and 63mm, providing a maximum force up to 6,000N in stroke lengths up to 5000mm.

Four different guiding systems - internal guiding (M/49000), external adjustable guiding (M/49100), precision roller guiding (M/49200) and a heavy-duty version with ball bearings on hardened guides (M/49800) - plus a choice of several pitch measurements are the basis for a large number of applications.

The LINTRA Spindle can be operated with DC, AC, stepper or servo motors.

The latest LINTRA precision heavy-duty rodless cylinder benefits from a new design and has an extremely smooth precision movement.

This addition to the range of heavy-duty cylinders is available in bore sizes of 16, 25, 40 and 63mm.

The LINTRA M/46800/PM incorporates heavy-duty precision guiding, which results in a smooth movement with low rolling resistance for applications with extremely high loading conditions.

For the LINTRA M/46000 range a new groove is incorporated for direct mounting of the universal M/50 series of magnetic switches and so switch mounting brackets are no longer necessary.

Meeting market needs, this new LINTRA standard cylinder is equipped with reinforced guiding in order to take higher loads and moments.

ASCO Joucomatic's new UK Short Form Pneumatics Catalogue is a convenient, easy-to-use and rapid means of selecting the company's comprehensive range of pneumatic control and air equipment.
ASCO Joucomatic's new UK Short Form pneumatics Catalogue is a convenient, easy-to-use and rapid means of selecting the company's comprehensive range of pneumatic control and air service equipment. The short form catalogue contains ASCO Joucomatic's latest product innovations, including VCS - the easy way to connect valves, and MEGA, fieldbus-compatible, spool valve islands. It has been issued to complement ASCO Joucomatic's main fluid power catalogue, providing OEM's and users with listings of mainstream products in an easy to read format.

To assist selection, product data is provided in a logical format with tables containing the product function, description and part number.

The catalogue runs to 204 pages and is divided into 9 sections covering products from control valves to cylinders, proportional valves to integrated spool valve islands, vacuum equipment to logic elements and air service units to fittings.

Also included are compressed air personal respiratory protectors and air movers, whose primary uses include conveying, fume and swarf removal and cooling.

The front of the catalogue is devoted to new products like ASCO Joucomatic's VCS system - the clever way to connect valves, and MEGA a modular spool valve island that offers advantages in terms of cost savings, performance and modularity.

The latest in cylinder technology is represented by the PEC range, which is 65% smaller than VDMA equivalents and allows for more cost effective solutions.

All the products listed in the short form catalogue are available from ASCO Joucomatic's network of distributors - over 40 strong - in the UK and Ireland.

Global pneumatics supplier Norgren has extensively updated the catalogue, technical help and 3D CAD facilities on its pioneering website.
Global pneumatics expert Norgren has extensively updated the catalogue, technical help and 3D CAD facilities on its pioneering website. The new updates have been designed to give visitors online access to a greater number of products and services, with all of the processes now fully integrated. This means that the user can switch between the catalogue, CAD and technical support areas at any point, ensuring they have all the information they need whether they are designing a system, checking on price or delivery or placing an order online.

'The only way of making sure that you have a website that serves the purposes of your customers is to ask them and this is exactly what we did,' says Mark Stevens, marketing director responsible for e-commerce at Norgren.

'The integration and updates in all areas come from direct feedback that we have sought from the thousands of engineers that use the site each week.' Catalogue updates - the specific key benefit of the updated catalogue is the ability to be able to search for a product by part number.

Visitors need only enter the full or partial reference of the part they require and they will then be given up-to-the-second information on price and delivery before they decide whether to place the order online.

The number of products available from the online catalogue has now also been substantially increased.

In addition to 8,500 individual items from right across Norgren's core actuator, valve, air preparation and fittings ranges, there are over 1,100 base models from which the user can configure the specific options they want - for example cylinder diameter, stroke, cushioning, piston rod type, mountings and switches.

The catalogue area of the site, which already attracts over 1,000 visits a week and has seen a massive growth in usage by customers since it was launched in 2000, has also been given a fresher, newer look.

Revised 3D CAD facility - with many engineers under increasing time pressure, Norgren has extended its online 3D CAD facility to save them time by providing instant online drawings, downloadable direct into the user's CAD system.

The CAD tools can be accessed by visitors from any area of the site without the need to shut down other applications they may be using, thanks to the site's new integrated construction.

The user can either select from the catalogue and link directly to the CAD drawing for that item, or take a fast track through the CAD selector, if they already know what they need.

Users can benefit from full functionality within the online viewer, including the ability to zoom in on and manipulate CAD images before downloading drawings in 13 different file formats using vector-based parametric technology.

Chat to the experts - should visitors to the website require further information on a specific product they have selected, or general advice, they now have access to even further enhanced online technical support.

The biggest update to this section of the site is the 'Frequently Asked Question' area which now includes over 300 of the most regularly made technical enquiries.

This complements Norgren's global online chat facility, which allows users of the website to talk in real time to a Norgren engineer at any point of the day or night.

The chat facility is a service unique to the company.

Stevens continues: 'Our integrated approach to technical support ?

allowing users to move quickly and seamlessly from the catalogue to the FAQ area, to online technical support and, if necessary, contact us via email - is one of the reasons our website is so popular.