Industrial pneumatic components

Frequently asked questions — Pneumatics

• How do I choose between an ISO 15552 cylinder and a compact ISO 21287 cylinder?

  The choice between these two families of pneumatic components depends on your space constraints. The ISO 15552 cylinder, with its standardised mountings and bores ranging from 32 to 320 mm, is intended for standard installations requiring high robustness. Conversely, the compact ISO 21287 cylinder is specifically designed for short-stroke applications where space saving is the priority technical requirement for your system.
• Which type of pneumatic directional valve should be used to control a cylinder?

  The selection of the directional valve depends on the function of the cylinder to be actuated. A 3/2 NC valve is recommended for controlling a single-acting cylinder, whereas a 5/2 monostable or bistable valve is required for a double-acting cylinder. If your application requires intermediate positions, a 5/3 valve must be chosen. These pneumatic components can be actuated by direct pneumatic control or by a standard electric 24 VDC signal.
• Is it mandatory to install an FRL unit on my circuit?

  Installing an FRL unit (filter-regulator-lubricator) upstream is essential to ensure the reliability of your pneumatic components. It provides minimum 5 µm filtration and precise regulation to ±0.1 bar. While lubrication is optional and reserved for hand tooling, filtration and regulation are necessary to protect actuators and automated systems against premature failure.
• Which type of fitting should be preferred for pressures above 10 bar?

  For standard installations operating between 4 and 10 bar, push-in fittings for 4 to 12 mm tubing cover most requirements. However, for any application involving pressures above 10 bar, it is imperative to opt for threaded fittings with a BSP or NPT thread. This technical choice ensures the integrity and tightness of your pneumatic network beyond conventional pressure limits.
• What are the advantages of pneumatics over hydraulics?

  Industrial pneumatics differs from hydraulics through three major technical properties: its compressibility, which allows great flexibility of movement without stiffness; the complete absence of oil leaks, guaranteeing high cleanliness; and greater simplicity of implementation. These characteristics make it a particularly suitable technical solution for conveying, packaging, light robotics and hand tooling in industrial environments.