Component Related Documentation

Air pressure regulators are air pressure reducing valves. It is also essential, once a pressure has been selected to perform a task, that air be supplied to the actuator at a constant pressure, regardless of variations in flow and upstream pressure. Thus, it is important to add to a pressure regulator to the pneumatic circuit that: a) supplies air at constant pressure regardless of flow variation or upstream pressure; b) helps operate the system more economically by minimizing the amount of pressurized air that is wasted; c) helps promote safety by operating the actuator at reduced pressure; d) extends component life because operating at higher-than-recommended pressures increases wear rate and reduces equipment life; e) produces readily controlled variable air pressures where needed; and f) increases operating efficiency.

Safety Related Notes

Before working on this machine, perform lockout-tagout procedures per the rules of your plant. Determine the sources of energy on this machine – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic – and release or vent sources of stored energy – electrical capacitors, air receivers, and hydraulic accumulators. Shut off sources of power – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic. Safely block mechanical sources of energy such as loaded springs and loaded machine members, or safely position the machine members so they are unloaded and springs are not under tension. Beware of hot hydraulic fluid and hot surfaces which can cause burns. Never “crack a hydraulic or pneumatic fitting” to check for the presence of stored energy. Hydraulic fluid injection injuries, as well as injection injuries from many other fluids, are extremely serious and must be treated immediately by medical personnel familiar with this type of injury. Loss of body parts or death may result from improperly treated fluid injection injuries! Never use your hands to feel for a hydraulic leak! Never use compressed air to blow dust off yourself or someone else – there is risk of an air injection injury. Review the schematics and think before proceeding to work on the machine to ensure you have made the machine safe to work on.