Improved pressure booster
Third Quarter 2008
Pneumatic systems & components
Series VBA booster regulators from SMC can be used to supply higher pressure air to a device without the cost of operating the entire system at the higher pressure. Easy to install with no electrical requirements, they are ideal for remote locations or additions to existing machines.
Three models are available, and the two larger sizes have been improved for extended life (up to twice that of the current models), lower noise, and enhanced performance. Improvements include grease grooves for lubricant retention, floating assemblies for oscillating components, inlet strainers, improved bumpers to reduce valve noise, the addition of a high noise reduction muffler option, and a new tube design to aid in heat transfer and reduce outlet condensation. The outlet pressure is controlled either via an integral regulator or a remote air pressure signal. All models can be directly connected to a storage tank by a port in the base, further simplifying installation.
Further reading:
How to clean compressed air effectively
Pneumatic systems & components
ISO-Reliability Partners has taken another step in bringing to market highly effective solutions to combat contamination in all its forms. The locally designed and patented Air Wizard inline water trap is proudly manufactured in South Africa. It has been SABS tested for the separation of water, oily fluids, rust and solid particulates from pneumatic compressed air or gas lines.
Read more...
Compressed air piping design
Artic Driers International
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
When designing a compressed air pipeline, remember that size matters. The internal size of the pipe, along with the pressure and air volume, determine the velocity of the compressed air in the pipeline.
Read more...
Top questions about pressure gauges
SA Gauge
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
Some questions never go out of date, and in our industry, a few have been asked for decades. At SA Gauge, we hear them every week. Here are the ten questions we hear most often, and the practical answers that can save time, money and frustration.
Read more...
Achieving clean and dry compressed air for faultless operation
Artic Driers International
Pneumatic systems & components
Compressed air is an expensive source of motive power so it makes good sense to supply clean, dry compressed air to your distribution system.
Read more...
Controlling pneumatics via IO-Link
ifm - South Africa
Pneumatic systems & components
Pneumatic airboxes control cylinders or actuators using compressed air, and are found in a wide range of industrial applications.
Read more...
The role of analogue gauges in a digital world
SA Gauge
Pneumatic systems & components
With so much focus on digital systems, remote monitoring and automation, it’s easy to assume that traditional analogue gauges are outdated. Yet in almost any plant, mine or processing facility, you’ll still find them in daily use. There’s a good reason for this.
Read more...
It’s full steam ahead for SKF’s sustainable leak detection solution
SKF South Africa
Pneumatic systems & components
One of SKF’s key customers based in Cape Town, which depends on steam systems for its production processes, was facing costly challenges related to high energy consumption and excessive maintenance hours. SKF recommended the TKSU 10 ultrasonic leak detector as a more streamlined, user-friendly alternative.
Read more...
Dynamic compressor control system with energy savings
Pneumatic systems & components
CompAir has launched Ecoplant, a dynamic, compressed air management solution that adjusts compressor parameters in real time, offering up to 30 per cent reductions in energy costs and CO
2 emissions.
Read more...
Is your compressed air system sustainable?
Artic Driers International
Pneumatic systems & components
We are all aware that compressed air is an expensive source of motive power, but do we actually know what the cost is?
Read more...
Reliable, flexible and cost-effective rental compressed air
Pneumatic systems & components
More businesses are turning to Integrated Air Solutions for rented on-demand compressed air, without the burden of capital expenditure.
Read more...