The first integrated actuator to fully comply with ISO 6431 and VDMA 24562 standards within the VDMA space envelope, known as 'Smart Cylinder', has been launched by Norgren.
'All in one' actuator combines performance with VDMA sizing The first integrated actuator to fully comply with ISO 6431 and VDMA 24562 standards within the VDMA space envelope, known as 'Smart Cylinder', has been launched by Norgren. Despite its sleek, clean line appearance, Smart Cylinder contains its own sensors, flow regulators, adjustable cushioning, 5/2 or 5/3 valve and ASI Bus or Multipole fieldbus connection inside the casing and is fully interchangeable with other VDMA actuators across the complete range from 32-100mm bore. It is available in stroke lengths of up to one metre and achieves a top speed of 1.5 metres per second, making it suitable for most applications.

Mounting the valve directly in the cylinder enhances response time.

Dietmar Grun, Norgren's product manager for actuators, said: 'The integrated design makes it easier to specify, install and store pneumatic actuators, easing the work of design engineers, simplifying installation and reducing parts on the bill of materials.

'The Smart Cylinder brings simplification and therefore cost savings.

Instant savings of approximately 25 per cent are achieved by buying the one unit compared to buying all the components separately.

It can also increase up-time by dramatically reducing maintenance needs.

Maintenance engineers know immediately which actuator to change and can quickly and easily replace the smart cylinder, which needs only one electrical and one pneumatic connection, without the need to carry out complicated troubleshooting routines.

This can save serious money by slashing down-time.' Other user benefits include diagnostics via the fieldbus system, which tell the operator whether the cylinder is functioning normally.

Data is fed back to the operator which shows if the unit has stopped functioning correctly, if there is maintenance required and shows exactly which unit on the machine has failed and therefore needs to be replaced.

Festo has launched a customised new catalogue, entitled 'Premier Products and Services 2001', covering essential items from the entire Festo product range.
Festo has launched a customised new catalogue, entitled 'Premier Products and Services 2001', covering essential items from the entire Festo product range. The catalogue has been tailored to contain details of the services provided by Festo's Premier Stockists, offering customers a unique and comprehensive reference point for sourcing Festo products. 'Premier Products and Services 2001' contains details on a range of core Festo pneumatic components, with a full colour page layout featuring key technical information and prices.

In addition to this generic information, each customised edition uniquely highlights the services, capabilities, complementary products and special skills of the local Festo Premier Stockist, providing customers with details of how to best access the company's resources.

The catalogue contains several new features.

A fresh look at Festo's free software packages encompasses an electronic version of the catalogue, the Pneumatic Catalogue on CD-ROM and the free-standing drawing package, FluidDraw together with details on how to access these via Festo's website.

There is also a Best Value Product section, highlighting the capability and exceptional value for money of a range of Festo products - plus an extended feature on Good Working Practice.

This details some of the European and UK safety legislation effecting users of pneumatic and advises how safer solutions can be designed using Festo's products.

Many new products are also featured in the new catalogue, including guided cylinders, electronic pressure sensors, food industry tubing and new valve ranges.

Major automotive manufacturers use Airknife systems from Air Control Industries both to dry vehicle bodies after washing and to neutralise static charge before finishing.
Major automotive manufacturers use Airknife systems from Air Control Industries both to dry vehicle bodies after washing to get them absolutely dry and free of contaminants before painting and to neutralise static charge before finishing, particularly on bumper lines. Airknife systems are also used to dry body shells after leak testing. Easy installation, low noise, low pressure and low energy consumption make the blower powered ACI airknife an efficient, cost effective, reliable and safe system to achieve ideal conditions for paint application.

Powered by any of a wide selection of ACI fans and blowers, including multi-stage, radial or compact units, ACI airknives direct air down a plenum chamber and out through a parallel slot, providing a controlled curtain of high velocity, low pressure air.

The ACI blowers supplying the air typically generate less than 0.25 Bar (3.6psi) so are safer and quieter than compressed air and as much as 90% cheaper to run.

Air from ACI blowers is also dry and oil free - appropriate filtration can make it free of particulate too.

ACI specialises in supplying complete turnkey solutions, not just the Airknife equipment itself.

Several major vehicle manufacturers have ACI solutions such as the Airknife halo system, in which free standing support franmes straddle the production line like a bridge as a means of supporting the Airknives above the vehicle body as it is passed through for drying.

Automation specialist Festo has announced a new range of precision cylinders with integrated guides to offer zero rotation under torque loads and minimal deflection under lateral loads.
Automation specialist Festo has announced a new range of precision cylinders with integrated guides to offer zero rotation under torque loads and minimal deflection under lateral loads. The new units feature pistons with longitudinal keyway slots that mesh with recirculating ball bearings for super-smooth operation and minimal stiction. The new range, designated DFP, comprises 35 double-acting cylinder configurations across a matrix of standard strokes of 25mm to 500mm and piston diameters from a slender 10mm to a rugged 80mm.

All DFP units feature adjustable end position cushioning and integral position sensing as standard.

Aimed primarily at the electronics, packaging and handling industries, DFP cylinders offer precision guide characteristics even under high torque loads and lateral deflection forces.

This precise linear movement is achieved by deploying the recirculating ball bearing cartridge in the bearing caps rather than as sliding bearing assemblies.

These cartridges engage in the longitudinal piston rod guide grooves.

Such innovative end-cap-mounting design delivers exceptional piston stability to facilitate the longer strokes now available.

While the 50mm and 80mm diameter piston models are among the largest on the market, the smaller units in particular provide ultra-slim dimensions unmatched by any conventional guided cylinder arrangement.

This makes DFP units ideal for use in confined spaces, allowing system designers to build more compact machines.

To support Festo's goal of instant ease of use, the DFP range includes female threads on the piston rods, push-on flange accessories and multiple housing holes for direct mounting.

Adjustable end position cushioning is pneumatic for all DFP units of 25mm piston diameter and above.

DFP precision integral guided cylinders are the latest products in Festo's expanding family of compatible and interoperable drive and handling solutions designed to deliver efficient single-source supply.

The DFP units can share many of the mounting options and interfacing alternatives from the company's ISO/VDMA standard DNC cylinder range.

Norgren's dedication to increasing its e-business capabilities makes the global pneumatics expert well placed to meet the increasing demands in this field predicted by industry analysts.
Doing it the e-way Norgren's dedication to increasing its e-business capabilities makes the global pneumatics expert well placed to meet the increasing demands in this field predicted by industry analysts. I
'E-business is here ?

it's not some vision for the future.

Without it you are dead ?

possibly sooner rather than later', says Norgren's international marketing director Sean Toomes.

E-Business, Toomes explains, is so much more than e-commerce.

It's about using the Internet to streamline all aspects of your operation, from stock ordering to warehousing and distribution.

Norgren formally launched its online sales capability, the 'Webstore', to the British, American and French markets last year.

This was followed by the launch of technical support online in English and German.

The Webstore will also be available to Norgren customers in Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and Scandinavia in the early part of this year.

Norgren's web based 3D CAD capability was launched in the US market in January 2001.

This service is set to follow in Europe in quarter two 2001.

The Webstore: customers who visit the Webstore at www.norgren.com can select and order a full range of pneumatic products.

They are also able to check price information, lead times and the progress of any existing orders.

A powerful server, the use of advanced software and a special page design for faster loading help to speed up the ordering process.

The Webstore features every product in Norgren's catalogue.

Customers can select products by part number or, in the case of original equipment manufacturers, by their own part number.

Visitors to the site can scroll through the product directory, adding items to their virtual shopping basket at leisure.

Norgren says the Webstore is able to guarantee next-day delivery of thousands of items in its product inventory.

Customer support is provided by a synchronised network of Norgren branches and independent distributors.

Internet orders are integrated with telephone orders, ensuring that customers receive a seamless service, regardless of the method they use.

Customer feedback generated since the launch of the site has been used to develop it further.

Examples include the display of both list and net prices, the highlighting of stocked products and the provision of a running total for the on-screen shopping basket.

Personal touches such as the address book facility, which allows distributors and resellers the option of having an order delivered to the end user by simply choosing its address from their personal address book, give customers more control.

New options for saving orders, enabling customers to pop in and out of the Webstore while they are placing their order, and the option of running multiple accounts from one e-mail address, eliminate the need for multiple passwords and log-in procedures.

The introduction of a buyer hierarchy and the ability to print draft orders for internal approval allows purchasing managers to spread the load.

Engineers benefit from technical resources including technical summaries and full data sheets in pdf format on all catalogue products.

Technical support online: customers can log on to the Norgren website to 'chat' online in real time to a Norgren engineer or to access a library of FAQs providing quick solutions to common queries.

Engineers based in the UK, USA and the Pacific handle the enquiries through different time zones enabling Norgren to provide a 24-hour service.

German language support is available during office hours.

The online technical support service completes the existing telephone support service which operates throughout office hours.

3D CAD Design engineers will soon be able to access 2D and 3D drawings of Norgren's core products quickly and easily via Internet without the need to download any software.

Visitors to the Norgren Webstore will be able to view and manipulate a model of any component or mounting to ensure it is exactly what they want before downloading it into their own CAD software.

The free service is already available for Norgren's Webstore customers in the USA and will be rolled out across other Webstores.

Ultimately, the full product range will be accessible via the website.

Engineers will be able to rotate, zoom and pan the model on the screen and bring their designs to life even faster by using the service, which also offers: * parametric CAD modeling * a choice of native file formats including DWG, DXF, STEP, Pro-E and CATIA * interactive online CAD viewers that require no downloads and * part configurator enabling quick selection of CAD models Norgren will develop customised private web areas exclusive to individual customers.

These will be used by Norgren and its customers to achieve optimum communication and enhanced project management facilities.

Digital revolution for pneumatic valves: Norgren, will launch the world's first completely digital proportional valves at Hanover Fair beginning on 23 April next week.

The new valves, designated V51 and VP60 - represent the next generation of proportional valve.

Circuit board technology and a digital display allow the user, for the first time, to programme the unit to exact specifications off-line, so no time is lost to setting-up after fitting to the machine or subsequent maintenance.

In addition fine-tuning can be carried out on-line.

A signature, unique to each unit, enables each valve to be identified, its settings recorded and its performance monitored.

High performance LEDs provide instant notification of tolerance limit settings and changes in outlet pressures.

The valves can be linked to a fieldbus system and the data displayed on a PLC.

Engineers can choose which of any five languages, English, German, French, Spanish and Italian, they want to use on the menu structure.

They can also specify that either imperial or metric measurements be used.

Digital electronics ensure the valves operate accurately at speed and in any position.

The valves boast rapid response times of less than 100ms for a 10-90% step change.

They are, therefore, ideal for use at any point in the production process where accuracy and high speed changes are needed, and are particularly designed for printing, packaging, textiles and adhesive applications.

'They combine the existing high performance specifications of our existing analogue VP50 VP21 and VP22 proportional valves, like stability control and pressure feedback, with new features and increased flexibility,' Sean Toomes, Norgren's international marketing director, said.

The digital family is available in nominal diameters 4, 8 and 16 for pressure control (VP51), and in sizes 6 and 12 for flow control (VP60).

IMI Norgren is one of the world's leading manufacturers of pneumatic control and automation components.

It is the principal member of the fluid power group within the GBP1.5 billion IMI plc.

From plants in Europe, America and the Pacific, Norgren manufactures and distributes a wide range of pneumatic components including cylinders, valves, air line equipment, tube fittings and associated fluid power components for use in pneumatic and electro-pneumatic automation and control systems.

Norgren's customers can also make use of its associated services including technical advice, training and complete systems engineering assistance.

• In the UK, Norgren employs around 1,400 people, with four manufacturing plants and 7 technical sales centres.

It has a unique network of more than 65 distribution outlets operated by independent distributors.

A production problem at a vending machine manufacturer was solved recently by a 'tailor-made' spot welding machine - with precision movement by a rodless pneumatic cylinder.

A production problem at a vending machine manufacturer was solved recently by automation specialists Robotix of Rugby, UK, who provided a tailor-made spot welding machine - with the precision movement being provided by a rodless pneumatic cylinder from Hoerbiger-Origa. The robot-loaded CNC press brake sheet metal forming cell at Ripley Engineering of Basingstoke manufactures the front and side panels for vending machines. Flat sheet is cut out on a laser profiling machine and the edges are folded.

Experience has shown that compound bends around the front edge of the cabinet can cause vibration during operation, unless the flanges are secured.

After some discussion, Robotix was contracted to design and manufacture a suitable spot-welding machine, capable of attaching the flange to the side panel, with no visible marking to the outside of the panel.

In the brake cell, the robot offers the flanged edge of the panel to the spot welder, which gives six spot welds in two working positions, completing the task in one operation.

To eliminate unsightly marks, a flat swivel pad electrode is used on the outside of the panel.

This, combined with the precise positioning of the weld head and control of the welding process ensures that the panel is unmarked.

'We asked Hoerbiger-Origa to provide us with a complete solution for the movement between the working positions,' explained Robotix director, Bob Jepp.

'They supplied us with a compact unit complete with solenoid valves, guides and end stop hydraulic shock absorbers,' he said.

'It makes the design much easier to buy the integrated system complete from one company and to have total confidence in its reliability, knowing that there's good service support if needed.' A counter-balance weight running inside the hollow column and connected to the spot-weld assembly by roller-chain eliminates any risk of run-away should the air-supply fail, but the Hoerbiger-Origa OSP-P rodless cylinder has an inertia load of some 110kg to move smoothly and accurately between the welding points.

The 40mm bore, 1000mm stroke length OSP-P rodless cylinder has a maximum load carrying capacity of 1500N, an exceptionally smooth operation, even at slow speeds, as well as an integrated scraper system and grease nipples for the re-application of grease to the guide system to ensure a long service life.

The Starline linear guidance system uses recirculating linear ball bearings to provide a dynamic load-bearing platform.

'We always use Hoerbiger-Origa for linear rodless cylinder applications,' saidJepp.

'We appreciate the support at design stage and throughout projects,' he said, 'And it is a benefit to source all of the components from one supplier.

Above all, reliability is the key and why we keep using Hoerbiger equipment.' Robotix provides bespoke systems for manufacturing, including a wide range of robotic systems for plasma or laser-cutting, welding, pick-and-place for loading, unloading or packaging and automation systems for almost anything from prototyping to panel building, as well as programming for robots, PLCs, CNCs and other industrial hardware.

PlanTRUSION designs and manufactures what is probably the world's ultimate handling plant for aluminium extrusions. The company recently re-engineered the gripper cylinders.

PlanTRUSION designs and manufactures what is probably the world's ultimate handling plant for aluminium extrusions. To remain competitive the company ruthlessly re-engineers its designs to employ commonly available parts that are cost effective and reliable. Recently this policy has led to the adoption of ASCO Joucomatic's PES cylinders to replace more expensive hydraulic cylinders on the gripper Head and Swing tailstock mechanisms of a 50 tonne stretcher system.

The cylinders are part of a range of standard equipment packages supplied by ASCO Joucomatic, which the customer can just call-off to simplify ordering.

The effectiveness of PlanTRUSION's modular build concept, employing the latest in control, manipulation and handling technology, is evidenced by the fact that currently over 80% of the company's production goes for export.

This success is easy to appreciate when one considers that the fully automated technology, operating with a 16MN press, would allow 2 or 3 people to handle over 6000 tonne of high quality extrusion per annum.

For all its success on world markets, with both new and retrofit equipment, external factors, notably the strong pound, mean that the PlanTRUSION must continually seek ways both to improve the performance and reduce the cost of its plant.

Historically the company has used hydraulic cylinders for many of the peripheral functions on its modular equipment.

However, the cost, complexity and potential for leakage of these units has meant that they are being replaced progressively with ASCO Joucomatic's PES (Pneumatic Euro-Standard) cylinders.

Fred Runeckles is one of the senior designers at PlanTRUSION.

'With our particular accent on export markets we are always looking to standardise components to ensure ease of replacement', he said.

'In terms of hydraulic cylinders it makes sense to replace them, where possible, with more compact, cleaner and less expensive pneumatic equivalents.

A recent case in point is the Gripper Head and Swing Tailstock mechanisms of our Stretcher System.

We have been able to replace the hydraulic cylinders on these functions with clean line PES cylinders from ASCO Joucomatic.

Apart from the cost benefits this provides, we now have cylinders that are the industry standard and are therefore totally interchangeable'.

The major feature of the PES range, as highlighted by Mr Runeckles, is that it complies with all the relevant European standards: CNOMO, ISO and VDMA.

This provides benefits to machine builders and equipment suppliers as it helps them to achieve total conformity between their machine actuation systems and their customers installed plant and equipment.

An additional aid to designers is that units from 32mm to 125mm bore in the PES range employ a clean-line aluminium barrel, which is profiled to avoid dirt entrapment areas.

The profile design also simplifies, considerably, the task of mounting magnetic detectors (standard or magneto-resistant), or valve assemblies on the cylinder barrel.

Versatile in operation, the PES range is designed for operation on dry filtered, unlubricated or lubricated air.

The cylinders contain a piston seal, which ensures low breakaway pressure and is insensitive to distortion or temperature differences (in the range -20degC to +60degC).

For operations above 60degC a high temperature PES version is available.

This extends the cylinder operating range to 150degC.

The PES cylinders are one component in a range of consolidated packages of pneumatic automation equipment, which PlanTRUSION is able to call-off from ASCO Joucomatic.

'The system of consolidated standard packages makes our ordering easy', says Fred Runeckles.

'If we want to add to a package we just contact the local ASCO Joucomatic area engineer to determine what we need.

Two new introductions to SMC's range of End Lock Cylinders are designated CBG1 and CBQ2 and incorporate a locking mechanism, which prevents piston rod drop,
End lock cylinders prevent piston rod drop Two new introductions to SMC's range of End Lock Cylinders are designated CBG1 and CBQ2 and incorporate a locking mechanism, which prevents piston rod drop, at stroke end, when air supply is off, or exhausted. This feature is especially important when utilised within pick and place applications or for locking of doors. With the CBG1 the locking mechanism can be situated either at the rear or front of unit, or can be supplied with a double lock.

Rubber bumpers and air cushions are standard on all options.

Bore sizes range from 20mm to 100mm, and strokes 25mm to 300mm, depending upon bore size required.

(Long strokes, up to 1500mm, can be manufactured upon request).

In addition, reed or solid state auto-switches can be utilised with this actuator, to provide basic functions or diagnostic output/indication.

The CBQ2 is a Compact End Lock Cylinder, giving greater flexibility where space saving is paramount.

Bore sizes available from 20mm to 100mm with a maximum holding force of 5390 newtons, with double-sided rubber bumper supplied as standard.

Brochure highlights the advantages and details a range of plug in sub base valves and contains exploded views of the product that clearly demonstrate true modularity.

Details on Norgren's new range of plug in sub base valves can be found in the new VS18/VS26 valve advantage brochure. Published to coincide with the launch of this exciting new valve range the new brochure highlights the many advantages that OEM's can gain by utilizing this innovative new solution in their applications. Designed to 'wet the appetite' of the potential pneumatic valve user the brochure highlights the various features and benefits that the VS18/VS26 delivers and contains exploded views of the product clearly demonstrating the new range's true modularity.