How do you achieve the power, precision, flexibility and reliability of a hydraulic system from a standard compressed air supply ?
Many times in Engineering design, there is a need to deliver the characteristics of a hydraulic system without the costs of a full hydraulic system. Generally compressed air is readily available in most applications. Even if its not, the cost of supplying compressed air is usually much less than an equivalent hydraulic system. There are ways to boost the performance and characteristics of pneumatics but the cost and complexity (read reliability) increases exponentially and it is never the same outcome as a good hydraulic system.
Before settling for a pneumatic design which may not supply the ideal performance or characteristics, consider the advantages of an “Air Over Hydraulic” system, such as the units supplied by Enerpac.
I have successfully used these units in a number of applications requiring precise control, at a very reasonable cost.
Obviously they are not going to suit every application but I would certainly recommend that they be considered as a viable alternative.
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Monday 29 March, 2010 09:29 AM |
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