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.
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.