Servo-controlled cylinders position their pistons accurately through a control signal, ensuring that it will be accurately held in any position, under changing load and harsh industrial conditions.

Servo controlled cylinder offers accurate positioning Norgren, world leader in pneumatic components and automation systems, has expanded the popular RA/8000 cylinder range with the launch of a servo-controlled cylinder. Unlike ordinary cylinders, the servo-controlled model offers exact positioning of the piston through an electrical or pneumatic control signal, ensuring that it will be accurately held in any desired position, even under changing load conditions. Applications for the highly versatile cylinder include open and closed loop process control systems in a number of demanding industrial areas, such as temperature control or pressure regulation in power stations, chemical plants, gas works, food processing, steel works and paper mills.

Suitable for use in harsh environments, it is vibration resistant, dust proof and splash proof.

A positioning feedback mechanism included with the cylinder links the controller to the piston rod.

Coupled with the position controller, this system allows higher thrust and shorter positioning time than ordinary cylinders.

Comprising of a Foxboro/Eckardt (model numbers RA/8000/P1 to P4) or Siemens (model numbers RA/8000/P5 to P8) universal position controller, Norgren's servo cylinder features left or right hand versions, which can be direct or reverse acting.

The RA/8000 is available in a wide variety of diameters, from 63 to a large 320mm.

Stroke lengths are from 100 to 600mm, while the positioners are offered in electro-pneumatic (4 to 20mA) or pneumatic (0.2 to 1.0bar) versions.

In addition, a wide range of mounting options are available to suit various applications.

An electro-pneumatic proportional valve is designed for applications requiring a cost-effective variable pressure regulation.

Pulstronic, a new pneumatic proportional valve from ASCO Joucomatic, is designed for applications requiring variable pressure regulation. Developed from ASCO Joucomatic's unique Sentronic proportional valve, Pulstronic offers a cost effective solution where the levels of response required by a particular application are not extreme. Pulstronic is a self-contained, electro-pneumatic proportional valve with an integrated control loop that provides precise regulation of pressure.

Designed for operation on normal filtered air (50 micron), Pulstronic employs ASCO Joucomatic's innovative poppet technology - proven on the market leading Sentronic proportional valve - to provide good rates of response with minimum hysteresis (< 1% of maximum output pressure (PMR), when increasing or decreasing pressure.

In addition, repeatability is excellent at 0.5% of PMR (10bar).

The IP 65 rated Pulstronic is available in four versions: the DN4 with G 1/8 ports, the DN7 with G1/4, the DN12 with G 1/2 and the DN 0.5 with instant fittings to accept 4mm flexible hose.

The latter version is particularly adapted for piloting pneumatically operated valves or boosters.

All the valves operate with analogue set points of 0-10v, 0-20mA or 4 - 20mA, and offer operational security in the form of a 'pressure held at power failure function.' A typical list of applications for the Pulstronic includes: * Compensation of thickness on pinch rollers - The pressure acting against the top roller (in a series of two) is controlled by Pulstronic, ensuring that the thickness of the processed material remains constant.

* spot welding - The Pulstronic valve controls the pinching force of the welding head depending on the material to be welded and its thickness.

* Turbo-supercharging - The Pulstronic adjusts exhaust gas flow to the turbo-supercharger, depending on the engine speed, to maintain the charging pressure at a constant level.

* Material testing - The Pulstronic continuously increases the force acting against a test piece until the latter is destroyed.

A range of interchangeable compact cylinders offers an interchangeable mount to compact cylinders already on the market with enhancements which outperform the competition.

Global pneumatics expert, Norgren, has launched a new range of interchangeable compact cylinders to enhance its existing wide selection of actuator products and compact cylinder ranges. The new series offers an interchangeable mount to compact cylinders already on the market with enhancements which outperform the competition. Duralon rod bearings are used in cylinders of 25mm bore size and larger to enhance life span, delivering up to 2000 miles of travel, while providing maximum load support for the hardchrome plated, stainless steel piston rod.

A hard-anodized cylinder body and end caps are used to provide an enhanced corrosion resistance, hard (60 Rc) surface and low coefficient of friction.

Norgren's product manager for actuators, Kyle McClanahan, said: 'This is a major enhancement to our existing range of compact cylinders.

Improved design features and interchangeability with competitive cylinder designs will help our customers in the electronics, packaging, printing and textile sectors.' With 13 different bore sizes available, the new range also enables Norgren to offer additional bore sizes 125mm, 140mm and 160mm for the first time.

A variety of cylinder options, such as non-rotating, guided toolplate models, will further help meet the needs of special or standard equipment.

Designed for use in applications with water spray, such as food and beverage processing, stainless steel, double acting, single rod, cylinders reduce residual liquid electro-polishing of surfaces.

Designed for use in applications with water spray, such as food and beverage processing, the series CG5-S and CJ5-S Stainless Steel, Double Acting, Single Rod, Cylinders, have now been launched by SMC Pneumatics. All external parts are made of stainless steel (SUS304) and the configuration reduces residual liquid electro-polishing of the mounting bracket surfaces ensures prevention of build-up of liquids and other matter - plugs are supplied for unused mounting threads, to avoid build-up of any waste (CG5-S only). A special scraper, supplied as standard, prevents water from entering the cylinder - the CG5-S can be disassembled and seals replaced, (two types of seal material are available, NBR or FKM, depending upon application), thereby extending service life.

Bore sizes range from 10 to 100mm diameter and strokes 10 (15 up to 150), 16 (15 to 200)mm.

Mounting options include basic, axial, front flange or double clevis type.

Built-in magnet option allows the use of water resistant auto-switches, which are also available.

In a world where machine performance and delivering results are of paramount importance, a leading pneumatics expert, is looking to a future where performance is bought and sold.

Selling 'value' - all change for pneumatics? In a world where machine performance and delivering results are of paramount importance, Norgren, the leading pneumatics expert, is looking to a future where performance is bought and sold while the products themselves become the conduit. Sean Toomes, Norgren's international marketing director paints a picture of a pneumatics industry very different from the one we recognise today.

Norgren's most recent innovations, including the industry's first fully-comprehensive and automated online ordering system - Norgren's 'Webstore'.

Last year the company also launched online technical support, giving customers 24 hour access through the Internet to Norgren specialists and engineers, and a free three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) facility for pneumatics engineers via its website.

So it's no surprise that the Internet figures large in his vision of the future, a vision which has more in common with the aerospace and digital television industries than with the pneumatics industry of today.

The concept is radical - yet so simple as to make immediate sense.

Toomes can see a day when Norgren will not necessarily charge customers on a per-unit basis for individual valves, actuators and FRLs.

Instead, the company will be able to sell whatever is of most value to the customer - be it cycles in the case of a valve, strokes in the case of an actuator, or throughput in the case of air-line equipment.

Option In his words, 'customers should have the option of paying for usage, not units'.

'What's most important to an engineer - the price of a unit or the fact that it is guaranteed to deliver a certain amount of service before it has to be replaced?

Engineers like to deal with certainties and I believe there is scope for us to meet this need.' Toomes points to the aerospace industry as an example.

Here jet engine manufacturers are starting to charge aircraft manufacturers not for the engines themselves, but for units of thrust delivered by each engine during the lifetime of the aircraft.

His point is that it is not the engine which is of value to the aircraft manufacturer, but what it actually delivers in terms of thrust.

'You are buying what you value, not what you need in order to deliver that value.' Performance So what he is selling, in fact, would be 'up-time' - a guaranteed rate of performance for a given price?

'Yes and no.

'If a piece of equipment - be it a valve, a filter or an actuator - stops working, then why should the customer have to pay for it?

It's not the product itself which a customer wants - it's what it can deliver.

Under the Norgren model you would be buying what you value, not simply 'up-time'.

You could specify to us what it is that you value and we could tailor our arrangement accordingly.

If what you want from your automation system is measurable we could sell it to you, be it cycles, strokes, volume, speed, accuracy - anything.' Toomes calls the concept a service innovation, where the focus is on delivering exactly the service of greatest value to the customer.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The benefits to the customer of this approach are legion, he says.

Total cost of ownership is driven down as the risk of ownership is transferred from the customer back to Norgren.

This includes costs associated with administration, maintenance and in-house design.

And cash-flow is streamlined through the elimination of initial cash outlays and a planned, pay-as-you-use approach.

Norgren would benefit from such an approach in that it would move up the value chain.

Where its competitors remain suppliers of components, Norgren would reinforce its position as a service and systems provider and a partner in the day-to-day operation of its customers' businesses.

The next question is obvious.

How would Norgren be able to tell how many strokes any given actuator had delivered, or how many litres of air had been pushed through an FRL?

How would it be practically possible to charge a customer for the exact number of cycles delivered by a valve?

Internet This, according to Toomes, is where the Internet comes in.

'We already have our V20/V22 valves which can communicate through a fieldbus to an operator, warning of impending failure or advising which particular valve in an island needs replacing.

It's only a short step to build in a monitoring capability which would let the equipment communicate with us at Norgren, advising us how hard it has been working today, this week or this month.

Norgren is already practically investigating a scenario in which pneumatic components would have their own IP (Internet Protocol) addresses.

Blue Tooth and broad-band technology would allow these components to access the Internet, and Norgren, from anywhere on the customer's factory floor.

'No mess, no fuss, no additional wiring', Toomes explains.

'The technology to let us work this way exists today - and we are in the process of applying it to what we do'.

He draws an analogy with a family.

'Your kids grow up and spread their wings.

But you keep in touch, you communicate with them - you know how well they are feeling, what they are doing, their highs and their lows.

The fact that we could now choose to have a similar relationship with our products opens up a new range of potential business models, and this is what we are exploring at the moment'.

But what of the time-scales involved?

Toomes is cautiously optimistic, saying that it would not take a huge leap to develop the scenario from where the industry is today.

Months, not years, is his verdict.

Norgren's 'Smart' suite of pneumatic products - launched at the Hanover Fair this year - has the monitoring and diagnostic capability required.

Linking these to the Internet would be the next stage in the process.

Norgren expects the potential 'selling value' business model to be of particular interest to high-volume, high-unit value industries such as semi-conductor wafer fabrication.

Other areas where it sees the model working well are with larger machine-builders and process-oriented industries like assembly and printing.

Toomes is excited about the concept and the potential it represents.

'We're not talking just about an incremental increase in performance or technology', he said.

to satisfy the growing demand by OEM manufacturers for smaller and lighter air-line systems that fit easily into more compact machines a range of push fit pneumatic fittings is available in kit form.

Available from Wyko Industrial Services are Norgren's Pneufit C range of push fit pneumatic fittings and accessories. This is set to satisfy the growing demand by OEM manufacturers for smaller and lighter air-line systems that fit easily into more compact machines. The Pneufit C range of fittings feature patent grab ring technology, providing a compact fitting design that allows for quick assembly of any pneumatic circuits.

A simple push-in and pull-out technique is all that is required for immediate installation, and each system can be disconnected by simply reversing the process whilst holding down a plastic release button.

The colour of the release button denotes whether Metric or Imperial size tubing is being used and C-Clips are available to provide engineers with a method of differentiating between air sources whilst also acting as a tamper-resistance feature.

The main body of the Pneufit C fitting is made from a tough, but lightweight composite plastic and the seal itself consists of a toothed stainless steel bush (BS 1440 Pt 2, grade 301.S21) interacting with a reusable, silicone-free nitrile 'O' ring gasket.

The combination of seal design, plastic body and a nickel coated brass thread section creates a compact, reliable and corrosion resistant alternative to traditional all-brass models.

The range is particularly appropriate for industries such as printing, packaging and semi-conductors, which increasingly require lighter, smaller fittings on production equipment.

Each fitting has a non-PTFE based sealant, pre-applied to the tapered brass thread sections that fit recesses ranging from 4mm to 10mm in width.

The units can operate with vacuum/pressure of +/-18 bar (depending on tubing) and withstand ambient temperatures from -20deg to + 80degC.

All models are designed to fit copper, stainless steel, nylon, polyurethane and other plasticised or unplasticised tubing that can range from 3mm to 10mm OD.

Connectors are available as elbow, Y and Tee designs with integrated lugs for secure mounting to any surface.

As well as supplying the complete standard range of fittings, Wyko also stock the Pneufit C models with tough nickel coated brass bodies and swivel versions for connecting compressed air equipment to system piping.

A wide range of Banjo, Inline and push-in flow control valves are also available that include non-return valves, air fuses, quick exhaust and shuttle valves.

For harsh environments such as those found in welding processes and foundry operations there are fittings available with flame retardant, jacketed polyurethane tubes that can resist burn through.

Wyko keep all types of Norgren pneumatic silencers, control components, air brake fittings and a comprehensive range of flexible thermoplastic tubing in stock.

Norgren is one of the largest global manufacturers of pneumatic and process control systems and equipment.

Compact solenoid valves have been designed to provide fast and simple reconfiguration of valve islands eliminate the need for internal manifold wiring.

SMC's new compact solenoid valves, series SV1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000, have been designed to provide fast and simple reconfiguration of valve islands. Giving the ultimate in flexibility the incorporation of multi-pin connectors within the porting block slices eliminates the need for internal manifold wiring. Sequentially assigned connector pins ensure that stations can be added, or subtracted, at the release of levers and the loosening of two screws (DIN rail mounting type).

For larger flow rates the SV3000 and 4000 provide a tie rod manifold solution.

Within series SV1000 and 2000, dual 3 port valves built into a single valve body, allow 4 position functionality, ie the output ports of a valve can be individually controlled.

With a mix of mounting conventional 5 port valves also being possible.

Having a power consumption of just 0.6W (current: 25mA, 24VDC) and a service life of 50 million cycles* or more, this valve range is ideal for the most arduous applications.

For environments where protection from dust or moisture is a consideration, valve islands having protection to IP65** and IP67** are available.

In addition, Gateway-type serial transmission systems compatible with this range of valves are also launched, these are designated EX500 and EX250.

The EX500 has 128 I/O (64 inputs and 64 outputs) and will control up to four separate manifold junctions with 32 I/O (16 in, 16 out) per junction, with a single cable from the gateway.

This provides both signal and power for each junction, eliminating the need for separate power connections and overcomes the problem of miswiring.

The EX500 series has an IP65** rating, which allows use in environments where there is direct contact with water, etc (based on IEC529).

Unused connectors are protected with waterproof caps.

The EX250 has 64 I/O (32 inputs and 32 outputs) and operates on a manifold, which with double solenoids allows up to 16 stations (up to 32 solenoids).

Ideal for high speed, high frequency actuation, a new compact, low friction, cylinder, also gives uniform and low speed solutions.

Ideal for high speed, high frequency actuation, the new MQQ compact, low friction, cylinder, also gives uniform and low speed solutions. These low friction cylinders are fitted with a metal seal to give long life (of up to 10,000km or 100 million full cycles), and the combination of the construction of the seal, and the floating piston and piston rod guide, allows low pressure actuation at 0.005MPa. Within the MQQ series there are two models currently available ?

the MQQT with a maximum operating pressure of 0.5MPa, and a minimum operating pressure of 0.005MPa together with a speed 0.3 to 300mm/s.

The MQQT is ideal for pressure control with fine pressure variations, ie in the polishing of wafers, and for the transfer of precision components.

The MQQL has a built-in ball bearing which increases resistance to lateral loads, giving tension control in very low pressure and minute pressure variations as in coil winding, or the cutting of uneven surfaces (ie cutting of glass and lenses where constant force is required).

Depending upon bore size these cylinders can be ordered up to 100mm stroke.

SMC Pneumatics has announced the launch of a new range of mini-free mount cylinder, series CUJ. The new CUJ series is ideal for those seeking space saving actuators.

SMC Pneumatics has announced the launch of a new range of mini-free mount cylinder, series CUJ. The new CUJ series is ideal for those seeking space saving actuators (for example, a 4mm bore gives a size of W10mm x H15mm x L13mm + stroke). With double or single acting options, bore sizes from 4mm to 10mm, strokes 4mm to 20mm, and a maximum operating pressure of 0.7Mpa.

This range of actuators can be mounted from four directions, has a helpful centering locator and can encompass two auto-switches, even on the minimum 4mm stroke.

ASCO Joucomatic's new Series 570 spool valves save up to 1/3 on installation space, compared with comparative miniature G1/8' ported valves.

ASCO Joucomatic's new Series 570 spool valves save up to 1/3 on installation space, compared to comparative miniature G1/8' ported valves, with an innovative design that integrates two 3/2 monostable valves in same body size as a 5/2 valve. The space saving design also integrates both pilots for the 3/2 valves in a single solenoid operator on the end side of the valve. This makes wiring easier and requires much less space than for two separate pilots.

The 570 Series is designed for use with ASCO Joucomatic's fieldbus compatible BUSLINK valves islands and the, PLC and PC compatible, MULTIPOL manifold system.

The valves integrated design means that in a typical multi-valve manifold system approximately 33% less space is required than with competitive systems.

This is a positive advantage to OEM manufacturers and panel builders, who can look to downsize - and reduce costs - on the control enclosures into which Buslink and Multipol systems are usually installed.

The Series 570 meets all user operating requirements with a range that includes 2 x 3/2 NC valves, 5/2 valves and three 5/3 versions, with pressure held, pressure applied and exhaust released neutral positions.

The valves are monostable or bistable in operation and offer high rates of flow - up to 600l/min at 6bar - from their G1/8in.

ported bodies (6mm instant fittings are also an option).

They are equipped with low wattage (1.7W per coil) 24V solenoids, which offer excellent Class F insulation and ingress protection to IP65.

All the valve coils are fitted with impulse manual overrides, the double 3/2 versions being equipped with two operators.

The provision of two normally closed monostable pilots in double 3/2 versions is particularly useful for users with manufacturing or process facilities that employ numbers of actuators or large process valves.

Because of their high flow, the Series 570 can be used to directly pilot these units: typically quarter-turn process valves, spherical valves and butterfly valves, among many.

The Series 570 valves are designed for mounting on multiple sub-bases intended for two to ten valves.

Wiring is both simple and quick, courtesy of a detachable female connector with 3 pins and earth protection and either a CM6 cable gland or flying leads.

SMC's series KK 'S' Couplers offer the user a range of high flow quick couplers complete with an array of thread and fitting types for easy tube connection.

SMC's series KK 'S' Couplers, for use with air or water (standard industrial), offer the user a range of high flow quick couplers complete with an array of thread and fitting types (male and female thread, nut or one-touch fitting) for easy tube connection, and body sizes of 1/8in, 1/4in, 1/2in. The range employs a unique connection method, which does not use steel balls, or a valve spring, and therefore will not restrict flow. The check valve within the body also allows smooth flow.

As well as being compact the series KK is lightweight (between 18.9 and 87.7 grams, depending upon option specified) as its component parts are pressed and made of resin.

With one-touch fittings as standard the couplers are available as elbow, bulkhead and straight types, and incorporate an easy to set, manual sleeve lock mechanism to prevent accidental separation.

As an alternative, series KK13, for air only, manufactured by Rectus, complements standard KK's, offering an 'O' ring seal construction, barb fitting (in addition to male and female), and thread sizes from 1/8in to 1/2in.

SMC's Soft Start Valve, series AV5000, gradually increases supply pressure during start up, and will rapidly exhaust system air when the supply is shut off.

SMC's new Soft Start Valve, series AV5000, gradually increases supply pressure during start up, and will rapidly exhaust system air when the supply is shut off. The unit has low power consumption, a large flow rate with an effective area (of between 113 and 122mm2, body sizes 3/4in and 1in, respectively), and being of a modular design is easily attached to FRL combinations (series AC5000 and AC6000). Port sizes are available as 3/4in or 1in, proof pressure is 1.5Mpa and operating pressure range is 0.2 to 1Mpa.

In common with smaller models in the range AV2000, 3000, 4000, the AV5000 offers three options of manual override, non-locking push type (flush), locking type (tool required), and locking type (lever).

Together with a choice of electrical entries, grommet, type D DIN terminal, or type Y DIN terminal.

All versions are available with surge voltage suppressors as options and DIN terminals can also be supplied with indicator lights.