Air line filters, pressure regulators and lubricators come in many configurations. We know of no more flexible approach to providing the FRL function than the QUBE Modular FRL System from WATTS. Unlike a conventional FRL assembly where the separate parts are linked with a close nipple, each square body QUBE component mounts directly to the adjoining component, flat surface against flat surface with a pair of machine screws and an "O" ring sealing the connection. A QUBE modular FRL looks good, mounts easily and frees you forever from trying to seal close nipples.

Proper air preparation frequently calls for more than a simple FRL. You may need several levels of filtration, a number of different pressure settings and both dry and lubricated air to suit your application. The QUBE approach permits you to build a custom air preparation manifold from standard components.

In the illustration you see a good example of QUBE flexibility. This manifold provides an off/on lock out function, particulate and coalescing filters, an adjustable pressure switch, two separate dry air take out points with independent pressure control, a third pressure regulator supplying an air line lubricator and a solenoid soft start / quick exhaust valve. This complex air preparation manifold is made entirely from standard components that are normally in stock at TECO Pneumatic.

When designing your unique QUBE air preparation manifold, you can choose from the following options:

• Three different basic sizes (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2") to fit your flow requirements.
• Particulate and coalescing filters.
• Pop up indicators to indicate filter status.
• An excellent field adjustable pressure switch.
• Integral filter/regulators.
• Solenoid or pilot operated soft start and shut off quick exhaust valves.
• OSHA standard lockable shut off valves.

In addition, Watts offers a complete package of end plates, diverter blocks and direction plates that allow you to assemble the QUBE package that exactly fits your needs. QUBE components are in stock at TECO. We'll be happy to supply a kit of components, or TECO can provide custom QUBE manifolds, assembled and tested by us before shipment.

Your TECO sales representative would be happy to show you the unique arrangement of air preparation hardware that suits your requirement.

The range of solenoid operated air valves available to a pneumatic system designer is extraordinarily wide. At TECO Pneumatic we offer valves that differ vastly in flow, pressure capacity, envelope and internal design. Selecting the optimum valve for a specific requirement can be a challenge and sometimes requires trading one desirable feature for another. Certainly the most versatile modular valve we have ever seen is the new VS18 / VS26 valve series from Norgren. There are literally millions of possible manifold combinations within this product line. These are "true" manifold valves, with both pneumatic and electric connection made through the manifold subbase.

Consider the following features:

• This series incorporates valves of two widths; 18 mm and 26 mm.
• Cv ranges from 0.56 to 1.37.
• Each manifold (or "valve island") will support up to 16 stations.
• Manifolds are field expandable in single station segments.
• Eight valve configurations are available (3-way, 4-way and two 3 position spool options.) To save manifold space, there is a dual 3-way two-position valve available in a single body.
• Four different sandwich pressure regulators.
• Sandwich flow controls.
• Multi-pressure manifolds and an inlet air control that allows a valve to be removed without depressurizing the manifold.
• 24V DC and 115V AC are available. There are a wide range of electrical connections. The same 24V DC manifold may be used for both PNP and NPN applications.
• The VS 18 / VS 26 system is ATEX, IP65, UL and NEMA 4 rated.

In addition, this valve series offers two very different spool technologies in each valve size. The metal-to-metal (glandless) spool valve provides up to 200 million cycles and operates at pressure to 232 psi. The softseal spool valve provides slightly higher Cv , a cycle life of 50 million cycles and operating pressures to 145 psi. You can mix both spool technologies on a single valve island manifold to suit your needs.

A truly versatile valve manifolding system must support a variety of fieldbus protocols. Presently the VS18 / VS26 system supports six: Profi bus, DeviceNet, CANopen, AB RIO, ASInterface and InterBus.

If you are searching for the optimum valve for your application, consider the most versatile manifold valve on the market, the VS18 / VS26 valve from Norgren. Your TECO salesperson would be glad to show you some sample hardware.

MINOS Miniature Optical Sensors from Baumer Electric

The world of photoelectric sensors keeps getting smaller. TECO Pneumatic is pleased to announce a breakthrough in sensor miniaturization; the new MINOS line from Baumer Electric. All Minos sensors are fully self-contained and need no external amplifier. The Minos diffuse sensor with adjustable background suppression is the smallest unit on the market (8.0 x 10.8 x 18.2 mm) These photoelectric sensors are available in four sensing formats:

• Diffuse sensor with background suppression
• Diffuse sensor with intensity differentiation
• Retro-reflective sensor with polarization filter
• Through beam sensor with a range up to 2.5 meters

Although only about the size of the M key on your laptop keyboard, Minos sensors provide the precision, adjustability and response times you would expect from a much larger sensor. Consider the following features:

• Teach-in is done by an on-board button or by external input.
• The unit is vibration and shock resistant.
• Bottom and rear cable exits are available.
• There is provision in the tiny chassis for a reinforced through mounting hole for a M3 screw.
• Background suppression is accomplished electronically by triangulation.
• Light/dark operation can be programmed.
• PNP and NPN versions are available.

If you are currently using a larger photoelectric sensor, or need a very small sensor with a lot of capacity, please contact TECO Pneumatic. Complete information is available on our website, www.tecopneumatic.com. Your TECO representative will be happy to show you the smallest photoelectric sensor on the market.

Multi-Station Proportional Pressure Control From ControlAir

At TECO Pneumatic, we rely on ControlAir for precision electronic air pressure control devices. Recently ControlAir introduced an interesting new fieldbus addressable manifolding capability to their proven 500 series I/P and E/P electronic air pressure regulators. The Type 5500 manifold provides multi-station, digital to pneumatic air pressure regulation with DeviceNet.

One fieldbus node provides control for 4, 6 or 8 separate pressure controlers.

Only a single power cord and one fieldbus connection are needed to manage up to 8 pressure outputs.

The manifold incorporates an individual pneumatic shutoff valve for each station. Individual electronic pressure regulators may be added, changed or removed while the others remain in operation.

A common air supply connection to the manifold greatly simplifies plumbing.

If you need high flow, multi-station electronic pressure control in a compact, easy to install package, ask your TECO representative about the ControlAir Type 5500 I/P.

Since TECO Pneumatic is in the business of solving industrial control problems, we really enjoy being able to bring you new and exciting products. Our suppliers have been especially innovative in 2004. The Baumer Minos sensor and Norgren VS 18/VS26 manifold system described in this newsletter both represent significant improvements in how we do industrial motion control. We'll have more exciting new hardware to introduce in our next Newsletter.

With the election behind us, the year-end holidays are not far away. This has been a good year for us and we hope it has been for you, too. Very best wishes from all of us for a happy and healthy 2005.