If you want to ensure a high level of process reliability and machine availability, you must provide for proper compressed air preparation from the very beginning, when planning the system. Because a clean compressed air supply without particles, water or oil helps prevent malfunctions in pneumatic components, increases component service life and reduces machine failures and downtime. Festo offers systems that ensure compressed air purity in accordance with ISO 8573-1:2010.
To get the full benefit, plan the downstream routing as well: prepared air still depends on the right compressed air system components, including compressed air tubings and air system connectors for production lines, to avoid pressure loss and leakage on the way to the point of use. The most common leak points sit at interfaces, so choose matched air supply fittings and a compatible pneumatic hose connector concept from the start.
Our maintenance units are the core of our compressed air preparation solutions. They ensure the right compressed air quality and filter compressor oil, condensate and dirt particles from the air. Depending on the application, a service unit consists of a pressure regulator, various filters, a branch module and pressurisation and exhaust valves. Various combinations are available and in stock at Festo. In addition, service units can be configured individually in the MS modular system.
Air preparation combination units
The Festo range also includes the appropriate filter regulators, compressed air filters, lubricators and pressure regulators. Additionally, we offer on/off valves and soft-start valves, compressed air dryers, compressed air distributors and pressure amplifiers. Our compressed air preparation is supplemented by condensate drains, pressure indicators and comprehensive accessories - including service unit fittings and fittings for pneumatic service units designed for clean layouts and reliable sealing.
• compressed air tubings and pneumatic air line tubing for fixed routing
• pneumatic air hose where lines need flexibility at the point of use
• air system connectors for production lines to reduce leak points and speed installation
• hose handling such as a pneumatic hose reel where hoses move or retract
• downstream connections to actuators, including pneumatic cilynder tubing runs
• compressed air fittings and pneumatic air connectors matched to tubing size and material
Optimal compressed air supply, reliable cost planning, reliable processes: Our qualified service technicians determine your machine’s individual compressed air consumption and provide you with facts for more safety, efficiency and transparency.
Our service package includes:
Benefits:
Practical note for implementation: leaks often sit at interfaces. When findings point to pressure drop or recurring leakage, review pneumatic air line tubing, compressed air tubings, and air system connectors for production lines as part of the corrective action — along with worn compressed air fittings. Make sure hose and fitting materials match to avoid micro-leaks.
Untreated compressed air contains contaminants in the form of particles, water and oil. Water and oil can be in liquid or gaseous form and change from one state to another within the compressed air system. None of these three contaminants are present in a compressed air system in their pure form; they form a mixture. The composition of this mixture can vary greatly at different times in different places in the system.
For example, water can collect in branch lines, or particles can become deposited in a dead zone over time, and then be propelled along at one stroke by a pressure surge.
Each cubic metre of compressed air contains millions of dirt particles, significant quantities of water and oil, and even heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury. If these are not filtered out, the proper functioning of the system components cannot be guaranteed over the long term. Furthermore, these hazardous materials significantly impair product quality.
Correct compressed air preparation is therefore vital in order to reduce machine breakdowns and downtime and guarantee process and product reliability.
Poorly prepared compressed air causes malfunctions such as:
Possible effects on the user and machine:
Where this shows up in practice: contaminants and pressure instability often damage or disrupt downstream compressed air system components first, including connections to actuators and pneumatic cylinder tubing circuits — especially where connectors and fittings are mismatched or worn.
Our engineering tool can help you select the right combination of air preparation units for your compressed air preparation. This programme will help you to put together a maintenance unit correctly. Enter the required compressed air quality on this page, either via your application, an ISO code or via the free filter selection.