Pneumatic airboxes control cylinders or actuators using compressed air, and are found in a wide range of industrial applications. They are used in almost all areas in which pneumatics are used for positioning. Examples include: pick and place applications, machine tools, robotics, handling and conveyor belts. In filling systems, airboxes control actuators, for example, during dosing or filling. Thanks to their compact design, airboxes can be mounted close to the pneumatic actuators to be controlled. The short distance minimises the risk of leaks and therefore significantly increases energy efficiency. Besides, short pneumatic tubes allow for short switching times.
The Airboxes provide digital inputs to which, for example, cylinder sensors for position feedback can be connected. Long, separate cable paths to the plant controller are not required.
IO-Link benefits
The electrical connection is made via a 24 V power supply eliminating the need for additional auxiliary voltage and screened cables. This simplifies cabling considerably. Diagnostics are also made easier. Production data, such as operating hours, switch-on operations and internal temperature, are logged in the airbox. This enables predictive maintenance and offers maximum transparency, for example, for remote service purposes. External faults, such as short circuits at the digital inputs, are reliably detected. All in all, these advantages improve the efficiency, reliability and process quality of machines and systems.
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