Posts by Stuart Havill
How to Select the Right Pneumatic Valves
Any pneumatic system uses compressed air to power anything. This is why you can find pneumatic valves in a wide range of industrial applications. With almost all pneumatic systems, you will always find a pneumatic valve of a specific type. Pneumatic valves are responsible for controlling the compressed air, the rate of this air, and…
Read MoreSingle- vs Double-acting Air Rams or Air Cylinders: Which One Should You Choose?
Pneumatic cylinders, also called air cylinders, air rams, and air actuators, are mechanical devices that use compressed air to move a load on a straight path. The most common type of pneumatic cylinder is a rod and piston moving inside a closed cylinder wherein the piston moves only in one direction. Pneumatic cylinders use compressed…
Read MorePressure Control Valve: What are Precision Pressure Regulators?
Pneumatic precision pressure – or simply precision – regulators are designed to provide a constant pressure output due to fluctuating supply pressure. The tool is similar to how a voltage regulator works. Precision regulators can give out varying degrees of accurate pressure concerning reduced pressure output. For more pressure-critical applications, precision regulators with a pressure…
Read MoreAir Rams: All About Pneumatic Clamps
Pneumatic clamps, also called power clamps, are heavy-duty pneumatic locking clamps that use air rams and are mostly used in the automotive industry. Power clamps began to replace manual clamps when they were first developed in the mid-1980s. Today, modern pneumatic clamps are used in all industries because of their automation, reliability, and robust design…
Read MorePressure Control Valve: Clever and Unique Uses for Air Compressors
Air compressors are used to convert normal air into denser and high-pressure air for different uses. These machines are found in a wide range of environments. The most common you often see are the uses in the professional and industrial sectors such as tire inflation at petrol stations, compressed air tools, airbrushing or spray painting,…
Read MoreThe Barostat and the Flow Control Valve in the Medical and Health Industry
A barostat is a device used in the medical or health industry to maintain constant pressure in an enclosed environment. The main principle of the device is to provide a constant pressure in a balloon employing a flow control valve and pneumatic pump. A barostat is normally used in neurogastroenterology research. The device measures sensory…
Read MorePneumatic Valves: Industries that Use Pneumatic Applications
The word pneumatics is derived from the Greek word, “Pneuma,” meaning air or wind. Pneumatic systems use air or gas as the medium because air can be sufficiently exhausted into the atmosphere after completing its assigned task. Compressed air is used to transmit energy. Hydraulic systems using pneumatic valves or systems are being used extensively…
Read MorePressure Control Valve: Pneumatic Tube System is a Technological Wonder that is Still Around
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes 19th Century novels or sci-fi movies in the 1990s, you probably know the pneumatic tube system (PTS). The pneumatic tube is a system that propels cylindrical containers through a network of PVC or aluminium pipes by compressed air, or partially by vacuum. Pneumatic tubes gained popularity in the…
Read MoreAir Rams (Compact Pneumatic Cylinders): A Practical Guide to Function, Selection and Application
(Post updated February 2026).In this guide, ‘air ram’ refers to the more technically correct term: “compact/short-stroke pneumatic cylinders” (commonly ISO 21287), used where the installation envelope is limited – they pack considerable force into minimal space. However sometimes the term “air ram” is used more broadly to refer to a wider range of pneumatic cylinder…
Read MorePneumatic Valves: Buffers vs Polishers
For anyone new to vehicle detailing, the terms buffer and polisher might be confusing. This can be even more so if you need to purchase pneumatic valves for either one. This comes from the common mass notion that buffing and polishing are both the same with the aim of improving a car’s surface. So, what’s…
Read MorePressure Control Valve: What is an Air or Pneumatic Conveyor?
An air or pneumatic conveyor refers to a family of devices that use high-pressure air to move products and materials instead of using mechanical chains or belts. Air conveyors are most widely used to move lightweight objects such as trays, boxes, and empty containers. Conveyor speeds can reach up to 1,000 fpm. However, conveyors are…
Read MorePressure Control Valve: All About Air Hoists
Air hoists are similar to an electric hoist, except the hoist is powered by an air compressor to remove those restrictions that are required when using an electric power supply. The compressed air that powers the hoist allows for weightless vertical movement or floating functionality. An air hoist is like a large pressure control valve…
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