All pneumatic machines utilize compressed air pressure to run. The molecules come together when air volume is reduced, which generates a veritable force. Per Boyle’s Law, lowering volume increases the air pressure within a designated area as long as the temperature and mass are consistent. Molecules hit the compressor and circuit Then the machine circulates this pressure to the cylinders or motors until the work is done.
A pneumatic regulator ensures that this pressure remains constant, within a threshold. They are also called pneumatic pressure controls or pressure reducing valves, depending on how broad a category you seek. You mount them within the machine and check their pressure.
Having one means that it saves you the effort of having to manually check and adjust the pressure as you run the machine. It accounts for potential human error and reduces the time needed to perform regular checks. You give your machine a few more years of life and increase safety in the workplace. Or you maintain
The Necessity Of Maintaining Supply Pressure
Pneumatics are used in many life-saving and necessary devices. They are used in oxygen tanks and anesthesia devices within the realm of medicine. We don’t often think of the air pressure when seeing these machines in a hospital, but the flow matters.
Losing control of air pressure in these could lead to a patient dying or botched surgeries. Doctors and nurses are trained to check breathing and heart rates. They shouldn’t be expected to repair faulty equipment on the job as well.
In addition, air furnaces in houses run one pneumatics. If the pressure is messed up there, the house could explode. Or you may not get enough heat during a long, cold winter. Either option is not desirable to the person using the furnace.
The regulator makes a difference in all of these cases. You always need to know the level of your operating pressure. That way you know how much power the machine has for output, how much air is going into the machine, and if it is functioning.
Too high pressure could risk damage to your machine, and too little can mean that you are not receiving enough output no matter what the device produces. That is why you need a regulator in your pneumatic machine.
In addition to the safety issues, regulators also help your machine run efficiently by determining the exact air pressure. That way you don’t waste energy by using too much air, and the output is always at an optimized amount.
You also reduce the fatigue on the operator and the machine when using a regulator. In this case, we refer to the person in charge of the device and its output. Operators can’t always check on the pressure 24/7. Human error is always a factor. The wrong pressure will also cause the machine parts to wear down.
How Do Regulators Work With Air Compressors?
Usually, the operator sets a threshold pressure on the regular while installing it. They usually have an adjustment knob that you can turn. We’ll go into the details of if you want to regulate downstream pressure, and a regulator comes with a preset option. These are best for simple machines.
First, you need to ensure that the compressor has power. Connect it to a system and then switch on, before waiting for the compressor to gather the necessary air supply. Connect the air hose to the tool that needs the energy as well as the compressor and waits for the flow to start. Then adjust the control knob, to the desired pressure of your choice.
This is a very simple setup. The operator simply has to check the knob, and once in a while ensure that the machine pressure is consistent with the regulator.
What Pressure Settings Should You Consider?
The regulator’s size is the first factor to consider. First, see if it will even fit in your machine. This is a sensible step that is easy to overlook when choosing your model size. Some machines are more compact than others.
The size also determines output, in propr. A too-large regulator may also use too much air that the machine doesn’t need. While air is a free resource, you nevertheless want to use it efficiently. A too-small regulator will have the opposite problem if it doesn’t provide sufficient regulation.
Style and design are also important factors. Since a regulator is essentially a valve, it will contain a varying number of ports or passageways by which the air can flow. The simplest ones only have a single port, and the air goes in one direction.
How many ports do you want in a regulator? That depends on how much airflow you want to control, which in turn depends on how complicated the machine is designed and the desired output. Porting requirements must always be considered.
Also, determine how much output pressure you would like. Different regulators have varying pressure capacities. This in turn varies regardless of size.
Next, you need to figure out how much precision you want the machine to have. A miniature precision regulator is meant to provide an exact pressure point that the device must maintain while in operation. These can be changed for varying functions so that you can have a variable pressure.
In contrast, a relieving pressure regulator sets a threshold and sends pressure downstream. This amount is more fixed and is usually preset. The regulator vents the air to the atmosphere and dispels it.
Refine Your Pneumatic System At SMC Pneumatics
SMC Pneumatics regularly stocks up on air pressure regulators, actuators, and other parts that help keep machines running. Our experts check on what companies have discontinued certain models and recommend appropriate or even improved replacements.
Reach out to us today to find your ideal pressure regulator. We can also provide advice on what other parts will optimize your airflow. SMC Pneumatics always wants to help our customers reach their highest potential with managing machine output. You can trust us to help with your machines.