Pneumatics

Electro-pneumatic I/O and solenoid systems save control panel space while simplifying installation and maintenance. Machine builders and OEMs everywhere are striving to meet customer demands to deliver smarter, more modular, and physically compact systems—often requiring more instrumentation and control points. In a Fluid Power World January/February 2024 article titled Distributed Electro-Pneumatics Streamline Equipment Designs, AutomationDirect’s…

Modular gripper system kits provide a versatile way for designers and OEMs to quickly create material handling and robot end-of-arm tooling solutions. Many types of industrial equipment must reliably pick-and-place products, materials, containers, and other objects to perform their functions. Designers now have new options to accelerate creation of these gripping solutions, as explained by…

Networked electro-pneumatic solenoid banks can be distributed on machines for better control and more efficient installations. Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer with AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the June 2021 issue of Fluid Power World titled Distributed Electro-Pneumatics Maximize Machine Automation Options. It examines how intelligent solenoid manifolds save space, minimize installation effort, and provide…

Valves are fundamental devices for controlling gas and liquid flow, and adding solenoids enables them to be remotely controlled and automated. Valves come in many shapes and sizes and are a basic type of mechanical component used in all manner of equipment, machinery, and processes. Valves can physically be opened or closed completely, and sometimes…

Designers need familiarity with the variety of solenoid technologies used to upgrade equipment for remote operation and automation. Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer, and Pat Philips, Fluid Power Product Manager, both with AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the January 2021 issue of Design World. The article is titled Upgrading Equipment with Solenoids, and discusses solenoid…