Imagine you’re working on a job site that’s blanketed with potentially flammable gasses. How comfortable would you feel running an internal combustion engine in this environment? That probably doesn’t seem very safe. Working with an open flame would more than likely feel even more insane to you!
Fortunately, there’s an alternative to traditional tools that work well no matter what kind of conditions you might find yourself in. So-called pneumatic tools are perfect even when things get rather dangerous. That’s why they’re relied on by miners and those who work in areas that are covered by potentially dangerous fumes.
Understanding how they work isn’t all that difficult either. The principle that these devices work on is actually rather simple. At SMC Pneumatics, we do our best to ensure that everyone has more than enough information to make the right choices for their place of business.
We ended up asking the experts to give us a concise overview of what these tools are and how they’re used in actual business situations.
Defining A Pneumatic Tool
Pneumatic tools encompass a huge swath of devices that all have one thing in common. Namely, they’re powered by compressed air. Some of these rely on a compressor while others rely on a portable cylinder.
Considering that there are so many different types of pneumatic devices on the market, this might very well be where the similarities end for many people. Almost every traditional non-powered tool has a pneumatic equivalent. Likewise, you’re likely to find pneumatic replacements for every single power tool you can think of.
Such devices are able to generate a significant amount of power compared to their weight. Under most conditions, pneumatic tools can produce more torque in relation to mass than any conventional power tool.
Best of all, they adhere to very specific regulations, so you can trust that well-made tools are safe to operate in your workshop.
Safety Regulations That Set Pneumatic Tools Apart
One of the big reasons you see pneumatic tools in potentially dangerous situations is because compressed air isn’t nearly as reactive as other power sources. Even though oxygen is flammable, the air itself won’t usually combust suddenly.
There’s also little risk of air corroding anything. Think about what might happen if a hydraulic line ruptured. Fluid would probably spray out everywhere, which would cause quite the problem no matter what kind of surface it ended up falling on.
Specific PEE guidelines are prescribed for pneumatic operators under certain conditions. This helps to ensure that they’re extremely safe in a majority of uses. Various fail-safes are added into the design of these pieces of gear, which makes them all the more secure.
Design specifications are spelled out in a distinct set of OSHA documents, which has helped to encourage their use in a variety of situations where people are concerned about employee health. In fact, some of the most widely recognized pneumatic devices come from the medical industry.
Dental drills, which are perhaps best known for their distinctive sound, are generally powered by compressed air. This makes sense considering that there’s no fear that air is going to cause problems for a patient’s mouth.
There’s a number of other uses for these tools in the healthcare industry as well, but they’re also widespread in the manufacturing and food processing sectors.
In fact, you’re likely to find uses for pneumatic tools in almost every possible business sector you can think of. Most people wouldn’t think of amusement park rides when they consider the issue of pneumatic tools, but these are often powered by compressed air. Even some special effects for the motion picture industry rely on this technology.
Various Uses For Pneumatic Tools Across Multiple Industries
Sanders powered by compressed air can be used to remove built-up material from any underlying surface. You may have seen either these or sandblasters used to clean paint off of large concrete walls. Sandblasters are normally powered by compressed air as well, which helps make them portable.
Strong currents of air are used to eject fine particles, which in turn tear the unwanted media off of whatever surface is being cleaned. This makes it easy to get rid of even stubborn material in situations where it can be hard to separate two compounds.
Other common types of pneumatic tools that you’ve likely seen include air hammers, which are common for pile driving and forging. Perhaps the most famous outside of the dental industry is the ubiquitous nail gun. These compressed air-driven devices are so popular that many individuals even use them for their own personal projects outside of a professional environment.
A few other more esoteric options are also available for those who may have slightly more complex needs. While these might not be necessary for all companies to have in their business arsenal, they can certainly be a big help to anyone who does heavier work.
Other Pneumatic Tools & Their Uses
Riveting hammers are used to drive rivets into underlying metal surfaces. Impact wrenches use a slightly different principle to achieve a somewhat similar end. They convert the torque power of compressed air-driven equipment into rotary motion, which helps to drive bolts into a hole.
Think back to when you last bought a few gallons of paint for some sort of personal project at a hardware store. More than likely, they had to mix the paint before they gave it to you.
If you bought it at a retailer that gives you the freedom to watch the process as it happens, then you may have had a chance to see another use for pneumatic tools. Paint mixers convert the power of compressed air into linear motion that shakes a can from side to side. This makes it easy to quickly mix many cans in a short period of time.
Angle grinders are slightly less common, but they’re still easy to understand in terms of the principle that they operate on. Like some other tools, they use compressed air to generate torque that’s converted into rotary motion. This motion spins a disc that’s covered with a grit material, which in turn helps to level things out on a particular outside surface.
As a result, some people have taken to calling these tools disc grinders. That makes them an attractive option for those who need to grind things down much faster than they could ever hope to by hand.
Trying to do most tasks on a job site totally by hand would be nearly impossible. That’s why so many individuals have turned to pneumatic equipment to help them get the job done.
Individual businesses that need custom pneumatic tools can get individual parts and gain instant access to the air circuit that will help them the most.
Finding the Right Kind of Pneumatic Parts For Your Business Operation
Even if you were looking for regular tools, you’d more than likely find it challenging to get exactly the right parts for your business. That kind of thing happens because no two firms are exactly the same. Everyone’s needs are individual and change over time. What might seem like an afterthought today can become a major requirement tomorrow.
As a result, planning is key. If you’re already aware of what kinds of tools you need, then take a moment to jot these down and consider what kind of support equipment you’ll need.
Companies that have never deployed pneumatic tools in the past might end up needing to invest in some extra airlines or adapters. You’ll want to have plenty of spare parts on hand. While this kind of equipment is indeed very durable, it’s useful to have some extra components on hand just in case something were to happen. This is especially true of anyone who works in a potentially damaging environment.
Those who do might want to consider corrosion-resistant and stainless steel parts. These can hold up in almost any situation regardless of what sorts of conditions you might feel that your equipment is going to be subject to as soon as you deploy it.
If you have special concerns and aren’t sure what kind of pneumatic tool would be best for the job, then don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re ready to put together whatever custom solutions you need to be successful in your place of business.
Get Your Parts From SMC Pneumatics
Once you have a shopping list, you’ll be in a great position to place an order. Contact us online today to get in touch with one of our knowledgeable associates today. They can help you put together whatever kind of equipment you need to get the job done.
That being said, we’re also more than open to helping anyone who isn’t entirely sure of what things should go on their shopping list just yet! Keep SMC Pneumatics in mind even if you’ve never worked with this gear before. Our team will do their best to get you the compressed air-driven tools you need for business success!