Pneumatic tubing is used when compressed air is to be supplied to the point of consumption. Which tube is the right one depends on the area of application and the individual requirements. It is important that the tubing is maintained regularly so that defects can be ruled out and the longevity and functionality of the pneumatic application is not jeopardised. Festo pneumatic tubing is just as reliable at meeting standard requirements as it is at operating in extreme conditions such as heat, welding spatter, high pH values or hydrolysis resistance.
O.D. pneumatic tubing is the current standard in pneumatics. It is suitable for use with all modern fittings, e.g. QS, NPQM as barbed fitting and NPQH. For standard O.D. tubing, the outside diameter of the tube is specified as the tube size. In addition, there is standard I.D. tubing where the inside diameter of the tube is specified as the tube size. These were used as the standard in pneumatics before there were push-in fittings. You will find I.D. pneumatic tubing for all fittings that were commonly used, e.g. CK, CN, PK. However, when using different working lengths and tensile loads, spiral tubes are the first choice. Especially when combined with pneumatic tools, they also offer the right accessories. Our wide range of O.D. and I.D. tubing as well as spiral tubes is available in various diameters and materials. You will also find suitable accessories for your pneumatic tubing at Festo.
The material of a pneumatic tube should be suitable for the individual requirements. Here are some individual materials and their characteristics:
Pneumatic tubing made of polyurethane (or PU) is the first choice when pneumatic control systems have to be connected. It is available in numerous sizes and is characterised by its flexibility and small bending radii. PU pneumatic tubing is available in many different colours, which is practical for keeping track of the individual lines when installing tubing for complex control systems. It meets numerous requirements thanks to its different special properties: they are spatter-proof, flame-retardant and electrically conductive.
Compared to PU tubes, those made of polyamide (or PA), are more temperature-resistant and thus more pressure-resistant. As a result, the tubing material is stronger and therefore less flexible since polyamide is semi-rigid and kink-resistant. PA tubing is generally completely pressure-resistant at a temperature range of -50°C to +20°C (decreasing thereafter as the temperature rises) and is therefore ideally suited for use as compressed air lines as well as compressed air brake lines.
Pneumatic tubing is made of polyethylene (or PE), is very light, resistant to impacts and largely resistant to acids, alkalis and salt solutions. PE tubing is suitable for use in a temperature range from -30°C to +80°C and is the most cost-effective variant of all pneumatic tubes.
Pneumatic tubing PTFE / PTFA / PFA is suitable for extreme temperature ranges from -20°C to +150°C. It fits with all common connector types and is available as standard in natural colours and as CS type in green and red. PFA tubes can also be welded.
Which of the Festo pneumatic tubes is the right one for you depends entirely on your requirements. Our product range includes tubes of different diameters, lengths, colours and materials. Regardless of whether the tube has to meet standard requirements or extreme conditions such as high temperatures or changeable weather conditions, at Festo you will find a suitable tube for every industry.
The environment determines the right pneumatic tube. Chemicals, UV radiation, working pressure, acids, ... can damage the pneumatic tubes, causing them to tear, become less flexible or lose other properties, and your compressor has to generate more compressed air or bar due to the wear of the pneumatic tubes. Therefore, for these components, it is important to carefully check the applications in our engineering tools. All types of compressed air tubes are described for which applications they are suitable. You can easily find these here. Thus, you know that pu tube (PUN) is resistant to Vaseline, but not to water, but PUN-H is. Or that pa tube (PAN) is resistant to oil, but not to methanol. It is best not to buy PE tube when glycerol is nearby, and PFA tube (PFAN) is even resistant to citric acid and suitable for foodstuffs. The great advantage of our wide range: the right tube used for the right application. This keeps the air tube resistant to the environment in which it is mainly used.
The Festo portfolio has four main groups of compressed air tubes: development with a different material type;
• Polyurethane (PU), the widest range of tubes. These tubes combine flexibility with good chemical workability resulting in a package of specific properties.
• Polythene (PE) has wear-resistant properties with a competitive price-quality ratio.
• Polyamide (nylon) tubes can be used at higher working pressures and temperatures.
• Teflon®, the highest-quality tubes in terms of material type.
Pneumatic tube systems for constructing a compressed air network are available in the pneumatic connection technology category. This pneumatic tube is very suitable for connecting production rooms to the compressor to transport compressed air over longer distances thanks to their large diameter. When discussing pneumatic tube systems, the term "cylindrical containers" refers to the capsules or carriers that are used to hold the items being transported. These containers are typically cylindrical in shape to fit within the tube system and facilitate smooth movement through the tubes.
Flexible air tubes are used on the machine or plant itself, and selecting from the different plastics and buying tubes (available from stock) for your machines becomes very easy and efficient thanks to our engineering tools.
Finally, once the right combination of tube and coupling (Pneumatic system) has been selected - possibly with the help of Festo - it is a matter of determining the correct diameter of the air tubes and coupling. A step not to be underestimated as wrong choices can lead to problems. Oversizing, for example, guarantees unnecessarily high compressed air consumption, pressure drop or too low a flow. Under sizing leads to unreliable application, increased risk of leakage or deformation due to excessive pressures and insufficient compressed air capacity.
It is important that you know the size (diameter in mm) of your couplings. You can easily find these products via the article number. The pneumatic tube is normally delivered from stock to any location in the UK and suitable and available in various lengths. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Typical Applications: Pneumatic tube system finds applications in various industries and settings. They are commonly used in hospital, laboratories, blood samples, medications, food industry or paperwork between different departments. Pneumatic tube system also facilitates efficient document handling in office buildings, banks, and libraries. Some retail establishments, such as large supermarkets or department stores, use pneumatic tubes for cash handling.
A pneumatic control system is a type of control system that uses compressed air or gases to operate and control various mechanical or automated processes. Pneumatic control systems are widely used in industrial applications and can be found in manufacturing plants, power plants, refineries, and other industrial settings.