Explore the future of pneumatics. Our blog offers expert insights, technical guides, and industry trends to help you innovate and optimize your automation systems.
Proper pneumatic valve sizing requires calculating flow coefficient (Cv), considering pressure drops, and matching valve capacity to actual system demand using established formulas and correction factors.
Meter-in control restricts airflow entering the cylinder for precise speed control during extension, while meter-out control restricts exhaust airflow for better load handling and smoother deceleration.
Needle valves use a tapered needle-shaped plunger to provide precise, infinitely adjustable flow control across the entire valve body, while flow control valves (also called speed controllers) combine a one-way check valve with an adjustable orifice to restrict flow in only one direction, making them specifically designed for pneumatic cylinder speed control applications.
The flow coefficient (Cv) is calculated from valve test data using the formula Cv = Q × √(SG / ΔP), where Q is the flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM), SG is the specific gravity of the fluid (1.0 for water), and ΔP is the pressure drop across the valve in PSI.
Pneumatic silencers reduce exhaust noise through two primary methods: diffusion silencers break up airflow using perforated chambers, while absorption silencers use porous materials to convert sound energy into heat, with each type offering distinct advantages for rodless cylinder applications and other pneumatic systems.
