A compact directional valve can operate as two independent valves in a single body, or in conjunction with its RPS manifold can handle different pressures simultaneously.
The new S10 compact directional valve from pneumatics specialist Hoerbiger-Origa can operate as two independent valves in a single body, or in conjunction with its RPS manifold can handle different pressures simultaneously. The development of the S10 was based on an increasing user requirement for smaller valves, but the design team has taken the opportunity to incorporate many other advantages, as Hoerbiger-Origa's Ian Jones explains: 'The ISO standards actually caused some stagnation in valve design, with no great advances for 10 years or more. But the volume market trend has swung away from the universal standard designs (like ISO), as companies can gain a competitive advantage by using more compact, efficient and economic valve designs.

This is being achieved in the S10 by the adoption of new materials, better manufacturing, higher precision and optimised designs.

The new S10 demonstrates the advances inherent in the latest generation of valves.

Typically they are less than 30% per cent in size; yet offer a 30 per cent increase in flow rate over older units.

As these valves are often required to run on vital processes for years without attention ongoing reliability was a key concern for the designers, who have addressed the issue by ensuring that the S10 has a life expectancy in excess of 25 million cycles.

'And perhaps best of all they are 30 percent cheaper than previous models,' enthuses Jones.

Hoerbiger-Origa offers the S10 in a wide range of options, variants and configurations.

All come with the option of G1/8 threaded ports or 6mm push-in connections, manual overrides are standard with electrically actuated versions.

There are 2x3/2, 5/2 and 5/3 way versions and a choice of mono-stable or bi-stable formats, all with nominal flow rates of 650l/min and nominal power of 1.1W.

Options include an LED indicator and external pilot air.

Complete multipole and fieldbus valve islands and ASi connectors for individual valves will also be available in the near future, while a piezo electric operation version is under development.

The simplicity of S10's mounting manifold design makes it compact yet able to provide a common air supply for up to 16 valves.

The uniform port size allows several different valve functions to be combined on the same manifold, a feature with considerable cost saving potential for systems builders.

Innovations on the manifold include flow dividers and intermediate compressed air connection.

These can be set up such that one section will feed valves at one pressure and another section will supply other valves at a different pressure.

Basically this is achieved by plugging the common pressure port at any selected point between two valve positions, such that each side of the manifold can then fed with a different pressure.

Festo products on show at Hannover include a mini rodless linear drive, a high-speed parts picker and a sub-base valve terminal with fieldbus and multi-pin variants with advanced diagnostics.
This year's hannover fair is the biennial 'full exhibition' comprising eight industrial events in total, from factory automation to subcontracting. Each event is colour coded and, appropriately enough for Festo, the blue section designates the Compressed Air and Vacuum Technology event. Perhaps this is an acknowledgement of the corporate colour of Europe's dominant pneumatics automation company.

The exhibition takes place from 7th to 12th April, 2003.

Following the blue carpet takes visitors to Hall 15, home of the Festo exhibits.

The company is presenting a range of equipment, components, services and resources - including vocational and further training.

The stand features interactive 'practice orientated' displays to help visitors experience Festo expertise and discuss their requirements with resident experts.

In addition, Festo is unveiling a dynamic Virtual Reality show to carry visitors through a virtual world in the future of factory and industrial automation.

Today, engineers and machine builders expect faultless components and products: the real difference between automation suppliers is service and support.

To this end, the Festo stand at Hannover features a Service Area where users of pneumatics and automation systems can evaluate the Festo support elements that will make their businesses efficient as well as their products great.

Festo Service sections include Logistic Optimisation services; special 24-hour manufacturing services with full Europe-wide delivery for cylinders, valve terminals and other core products; pre-pack services for simplified single-part-number ordering; pre-assembly services that take pre-pack one stage further for the ultimate in convenience; all-inclusive ready-to-install pneumatic solutions offering savings up to 50%; and the Festo energy saving service designed to optimise the use of compressed air resources.

A number of innovative new products and components for 2003 will also be on display at the Festo stand: * Mini rodless linear drive (DGC) - a new dimension in precision, guide reliability and load capacity.

* High-Speed picker (HSP) - for the shortest possible.

cycle times when handling small parts, plus timesavings of up to 20%.

* Electrical linear axis (DGEL) with toothed belt drive - highly dynamic and accurate, ideally complemented by a matching servomotor (type MTR-AC).

* Sub-base valve terminal (MPA) - valve modularity redefined featuring fieldbus and multi-pin variants with advanced diagnostics.

* Electrical terminal (CPX) - electrical connectivity solution, open and direct, for all common Fieldbus types and customer-specific installation standards.

* New Series (MS )service units - consistent modularity and attractive design externally; outstanding functionality and air quality internally.

Visitors to the Festo stand will also be able to pick up the company's electronic catalogue on CD-ROM.

As well as over 20,000 products, the catalogue includes database software for quick searches, data transfer and documentation of components, web links to 2D and 3D model ready for immediate download free of charge, and no less than 14 free software tools such as ProPneu, MuscleSIM and the Valve Configurator for rapid design work.

A new website, launched by an international pneumatics and automation company dedicated to its UK operation, includes application examples as well as news on products and systems.
A new website has been launched by international pneumatics and automation company Hoerbiger-Origa, dedicated to its UK operation. It can be found at www.hoerbiger-origa.co.uk and is a mine of information on the company and its technologies, which include standard products, macro solutions such as belt tensioners and roll cleaners, and special solutions for particular applications, including gear shift boosters for lorries and buses and automatic train doors. There is also a section on CAD information, complete with downloadable drawings and technical information, one on pre and post sales service provision, details of UK distributors, a buy-online facility and links to many other sites.

Warranty periods for quick release connectors, when provided at all, are usually for a maximum of one year, but five years are offered for compressed air couplings.
Warranty periods for quick release connectors, when provided at all, are usually for a maximum of one year. When a manufacturer introduces an extended warranty, it is a demonstration of confidence in the performance and reliability of their product. Staubli the specialists in quick release connectors have recently introduced a 5 year warranty period for their RCS range of compressed air couplings.

RCS couplings are compact, lightweight and suitable for all compressed air applications.

The air-tight technology, robust construction and quality control ensure a long lasting reliable coupling that Staubli are prepared to guarantee for 5 years in applications using a matched plug and socket.

Selection of plugs is rarely given the same degree of attention that is allocated to sockets.

Many users taking the view that, within reason, any type of plug can be used with any socket.

While in theory this may be possible, in practice the use of un-matched pairs can seriously affect the performance, reliability and service life of the connector.

An out of tolerance plug will cause wear to the 'O' ring seal in the socket, eventually resulting in leakage.

Staubli plugs are hardened and ground and therefore resist most forms of mechanical damage.

Many plugs are not so resilient and damage to the profile can often result in cuts to the 'O' ring seal causing connection failure.

Staubli manufacture plugs to the requirements of ISO 6150 Series C design which provides a longer 'lead in' to eliminate the chance of mis-connection.

A unique feature of the design is the two bearing surfaces that provide a perfect guide for the plug down the seating path of the socket prior to engagement with the 'O' ring sealing.

A hardened plug shoulder, which engages with the socket locking mechanism, provides a positive, secure connection.

An additional advantage of Staubli's RCS coupling is the unique safety function that eliminates any risk of hose whip on disconnection.

The first push on the disconnect button allows controlled decompression of the downstream system, while the plug is retained safely in position.

A second push allows the plug to be completely disconnected.

This system, conforming to BS EN 983 and ISO 4414 standards, makes it impossible to open the compressed air circuit if the plug is not locked in position.

The automatic connect and disconnect feature allows one-handed operation.

Like all Staubli couplings the RCS range is available on next day delivery to all parts of the UK.

Staubli is an international family owned group founded over 100 years ago in Switzerland employing 3500 world-wide.

Pneumatic components and systems configured for a leading supplier of solids handling containment systems have the objective of reducing costs and shortening time-to-market.
Festo has been selected to provide pneumatic components and systems for the latest product development cycle for Matcon, leading supplier of solids handling containment systems. With the objective of reducing costs and shortening time-to-market, Festo is supplying standard, rodless and special design cylinders, along with tubing, fittings and control cabinets. By providing next-day delivery direct from its Northampton manufacturing site, the pneumatics specialist will cut lead times as well as Matcon's costs, as the company can reduce its inventory.

As with many of its customers, Festo has helped to cut costs further by deploying its extensive pneumatics application expertise to improve system performance and reduce the number of parts.

'We selected Festo based on several criteria, including its specialist experience with telescopic actuators, its application-led development expertise, the convenient fast-turnaround of its UK manufacturing capability, and the minimised risk exposure by choosing an industry-proven Festo design,' explains Ed Piepereit, Matcon's Research and Development Manager.

In a prime example of its expertise, Festo has developed a stainless steel actuator for Matcon based on a standard corrosion resistant hygienic design cylinder, but customised with special features to suit the unique operation of a special applications solution - the Containment Transfer Unit (CTU) cylinder.

The CTU actuator has since been retrofitted to a number of Matcon machines to improve reliability, as the double-acting cylinders provide positive motion monitored by integral position sensors to open and close the transfer unit, reducing both waste and downtime.

The stainless steel construction of the Festo actuators and accessory products also fits the philosophy of the Matcon Clean In Place (CIP) process, which is fundamental to the productivity of its equipment, especially in fully automated 'lights out' plants.

Festo pneumatic innovation also features in a new system under development at Matcon for the handling of delicate tablets.

These are often transferred between parts of the manufacturing and filling processes in large polyethylene containers.

Great care is required when transferring the tablets from the bins into processing hoppers as drops of as little as 200mm can cause unacceptable chipping, marking and damage.

The new Matcon-patented product is designed to gently lower tablets, within a completely sealed solid tube, thus eliminating tablet damage.

Gloucestershire-based Matcon patented its process over seven years ago, and now has over 150 solids handling machines providing high containment, discharge and filling for primary and secondary pharmaceutical companies.

A new website has been launched by international pneumatics and automation company Hoerbiger-Origa, dedicated to its UK operation.

A new website has been launched by international pneumatics and automation company Hoerbiger-Origa, dedicated to its UK operation. It can be found at www.hoerbiger-origa.co.uk and is a mine of information on the company and its technologies, which include standard products, macro solutions such as belt tensioners and roll cleaners, and special solutions for particular applications, including gear shift boosters for lorries and buses and automatic train doors. There is also a section on CAD information, complete with downloadable drawings and technical information, one on pre and post sales service provision, details of UK distributors, a buy-online facility and links to many other sites.

Festo worked alongside engineering company Molins International Technology Centre Machines to design and develop an automated machine to manufacture coffee bags
Festo has helped produce a unique new coffee bag that is set to revolutionise the market. The automation specialist worked alongside engineering company Molins International Technology Centre Machines to design and develop an automated machine to manufacture the coffee bags, which are based on initial concepts produced by Molins and supermarket giant Sainsbury's. The Cafusa coffee bag is an innovative method of delivering fresh ground coffee with the convenience of instant granules.

Festo's dedicated Food and Packaging division worked with Molins to build the machines capable of making the bags, using a range of dedicated components.

The Cafusa machine uses a number of compact cylinders (type: ADVU), standard cylinders (type: DNC ) and rodless cylinders, as well as a Festo service unit, pressure regulators and a trip valve.

'As such, all of the key processes in the machine are powered by Festo components', comments Simon Strothers, Molins' Marketing Manager.

'We have a long history working with Festo, and have been using Festo components for years on a wide range of different projects, as we believe that they are the best available.

Performance is always excellent, and the reliability of both supply and support is outstanding.' Governed by stringent hygiene standards and legislation, the food processing industry necessitates special solutions from component and equipment manufacturers and system integrators.

Festo has developed a range of high performance pneumatic components and automation solutions dedicated to the food packaging market that work in compliance with strict legislation governing hygiene.

Constructed from corrosion resistant materials and designed with smooth surfaces and radiused corners to eliminate dirt traps, they can be quickly and easily cleaned to significantly improve output results.

'The Cafusa bag acts like a disposable cafetiere', explains Strothers.

'It sits across the top of a mug and hot water is poured directly onto the ground coffee.

A double chamber filter provides the maximum surface area for the coffee to infuse, resulting in the same flavour and quality you'd achieve with a traditional coffee filter, but without the mess or inconvenience.'

Designed for electronic and general machinery usage, a modular solenoid valve allows modification of manifold stations by simply snapping them together.
SMC Corporation of America, the world's largest manufacturer of pneumatic automation products has announced the release of the Series SV solenoid valve designed for electronic and general machinery manufacturers. The SV valve series features a modular design that allows modification of manifold stations by simply snapping them together. The design of pneumatic and electrical connections of the manifold provides a 'Plug and Play' concept for building the manifolds.

Rated IP65 and CE compliant, the SV valves are offered in both serial interface and parallel wiring configuration.

These units are particularly suitable for applications in semiconductor, food processing, automotive and metal working industries.

The SV valves have a life expectancy of 50 million cycles and are offered in four sizes, i.e SV1000, SV2000, SV3000, and SV4000 with flow capacity ranging from 0.23Cv up to 1.6Cv.

Dual 3 port valves in Series SV1000 and SV2000 allow individual control of A and B ports.

'The SV valves are truly plug-and-play.

Installation and upgrading are literally a snap with the elimination of the traditional lead wire internal wiring in favor of pin type connectors.

Balaji Rao, Senior Product Manager for SMC explains.

'By connecting each manifold block with a pin connector, valve stations can be reconfigured simply by plugging and unplugging them.' For stackability, the units are available in two mounting options: a tie-rod configuration or a cassette configuration for use with DIN rails.

Up to 20 stations can be stacked together in a block (18 for the SV1000 Cassette type).

'The whole process of installing and modifying these valves is so easy it can be done by someone with little or no technical background' says Rao.

Not only are these valves easy to use and install, but the use of serial interface protocols (also called 'field bus technologies') are quickly becoming the norm in automated plants these days.

The SV manifolds come with both centralized and decentralized type Serial units.

The EX500 decentralized Gateway/SI unit comes in DeviceNet, Profibus-DP and Remote I/O protocols.

The gateway unit controls up to four branches with 32 I/O per branch and is IP65 rated.

The EX250, centralized SI unit comes in DeviceNet, Profibus-DP, CC-Link and As-I protocols with 64 I/O.

SMC Corporation also manufactures actuators, airline and air preparation equipment, high-purity products, vacuum ejectors, instrumentation, and a host of fittings and accessories applicable to the pneumatic automation industry.

With their online product specification tool called E-Tech, customers can specify products, validate part numbers, use sizing calculators and download native CAD files to help select products.

Subsidiaries and joint-ventures of SMC Corporation have been established in 38 countries, with sales having grown to a 20% share of the world market, earning it the acclaimed 'Global 500' industry rating.

Burkert Fluid Control Systems has introduced an AS-i version of its Mini TOP compact ON/OFF control head, which allows smaller valves to interface with original and 2.1, AS-i systems.
Burkert Fluid Control Systems has introduced an AS-i version of its Mini TOP compact ON/OFF control head, which allows the company's smaller pneumatic process valve family to interface with the original and 2.1 version AS-i systems as well as Burkert's own EasyLINK and EasyNET decentralised intelligence systems. The Mini TOP - which has already featured in one of the largest AS-i network systems in the UK at Johnson Matthey's precious metals refinery at Royston, Herts - combines valve control, pilot valves and position feedback, and due to its modular design, can be easily mounted to a variety of process valves to create a Mini TOP system. The IP65 rated Mini TOP will easily handle media from 0 to 55degC with flow rates up to 40Nl/min and pressures from 2 to 10 bar.

Single and double acting pneumatic actuators are possible and position feedback can be achieved using either mechanical or inductive limit switches.

The unique all-in-one design of the Mini TOP significantly reduces installation and commissioning costs and its standardised connections to valve actuators, intelligent sensors and process network interfaces allows it to integrate with Burkert's Easy process control system.

Smart cubic modular valve manifolds, aimed at semiconductor, electrical and light mechanical assembly applications, feature valves only 10mm wide on a configurable manifold sub-base.
Automation specialist Festo has extended its range of high performance miniaturised products with the introduction of new 'Smart Cubic' modular valve manifolds (CPA-SC), aimed primarily at semiconductor, electrical and light mechanical assembly applications. When production space is at a premium these miniature valve manifolds are the ideal solution to drive a wide range of pneumatic cylinders and process valves. The new 'Smart Cubic' modular valve manifolds feature valves only 10mm wide on a configurable manifold sub-base.

They offer quick replacement opportunities by undoing just two screws for maximum up-time.

The manifold's design is closely aligned to the needs of the electronics and mechatronics industries.

Even the light-coloured surface finish is designed to fit aesthetically with these clean environments.

Manifolds accommodate up to 20 valves, each with a flow rate of 150 litres/min - ample for all miniature cylinders, rotary drives, vacuum grippers and slides with a choice of electrical connection methods.

In addition, individual valves are available mounted on a single sub base via two screws for isolated actuator requirements.

Key features of the new miniature valve manifolds include a 2 x 3/2-way normally closed or normally open function on one valve module and the integration of vacuum capability.

Other valve functions include: * 5/2-way single solenoid, * 5/2-way double solenoid, * 3/2-way normally closed, * 2/2-way (one normally closed and one open), * 5/3-way normally closed, pressurised or exhausted.

All variants offer front or top pneumatic outputs along with electrical connector options of D-sub, insulation-displacement ribbon cable or individual connection.

With the wide variety of options, Festo supplies a software configurator to ensure the correct 'Smart Cubic' valve manifold specification.

Manifolds are delivered fully assembled and tested with a single part number for reduced material management costs.

With dramatic reduction in height, length and weight, a compact magnetically coupled rodless cylinder will appeal to builders of transfer machines for light components.
With dramatic reduction in height, length and weight, the new compact CY1F series from SMC Pneumatics will have particular appeal to manufacturers of light electric and electronic parts, and builders of transfer machines for light components. To meet the market demand, this compact and low profile series offers reductions of 27% - 29% in height, 31% - 50% in weight, with reductions in length of between 27mm - 110mm. The integrated construction of the guide and actuator makes for easier maintenance, as the actuator part of the unit can be removed without disturbing the pipework, thus minimising downtime.

The piping is centralised, giving the choice of connection to both sides of the product.

Built-in shock absorbers come as standard, with four options and combinations of adjustment bolts.

Standard bore sizes are 10mm, 15mm, 25mm, with stroke lengths of 50mm to 600mm.

Compact guided cylinders feature increased embedded functionality and a far lower cost than the equivalent discrete components.
Leading automation specialist, Festo, has launched a range of compact guided cylinders that feature increased embedded functionality and a far lower cost than the equivalent discrete components. The global market for integrated drive solutions has seen exceptional growth over the past five years. The new range (type: DFM) from Festo further extends the company's guided cylinder solutions while eliminating user configuration and simplifying the order process with a single part number for a standard unit.

'All the work is done for you,' says Steve Sands at Festo.

'Our extended guided cylinder range offers easier selection and more competitive pricing than separate parts, plus it arrives ready assembled and tested.

And the individual components that make up the DFM subassembly are optimised to work perfectly together.' The basic module features multiple air input options to permit mounting the cylinders in a variety of different planes without impeding access to the air connection.

However, the new range also offers considerably more options over the standard units such as in-built stroke adjustment and end position shock absorption - the latter to facilitate higher loads and faster speeds where required.

Accuracy with end stop shock absorbers is not compromised: the design of the absorber allows the material to compress, ultimately giving a final metal-to-metal stop for absolute precision.

Festo offers the option of either plain bearings or backlash-free ball bearings for its new units depending upon the application requirement.

Actuator piston diameters range from a compact 12mm to a powerful 100mm, with stroke lengths of 10mm to 200mm.

The cylinder piston rod has freedom to float in relation to the end plate which isaccurately fixed to the two guide rods.

This robust twin-guide profile also allows the units to withstand high levels of side loading within a small space envelope.

'Our objective is to simplify the task of machine design and assembly,' explains Sands.

DFM units benefit from the Festo design expertise and heritage making them smaller and more refined than competitive units that could be considered similar.' DFM applications are targeted at special purpose machine build, assembly equipment, and applications in electronics, light mechanical assembly and pharmaceutical industries.

Typical functions for the units include transferring, pressing, feeding and pop-up conveyor stops - particularly with the unit's ability to withstand side loading.

As with all Festo components and system solutions, the DFM range is supported by extensive software tools for every step of the process, from specifying and configuring to ordering and commissioning.

Configurator software, available free on the Festo CD Catalogue, provides dimensioned parts with full 2-D and 3-D renderings ready for immediate use in CAD packages.