Pneumatic motors, though less common than electric motors, are an efficient and reliable alternative for many demanding industrial applications. Drawing their energy from the expansion of gas, typically compressed air, these motors offer unique advantages in terms of safety, cleanliness, durability, and flexibility.
Compressed air, a versatile energy source (safe, clean, easy to create, store, and transport), is widely used in industry.
But what exactly are the most frequent uses for these motors?
Pneumatic motors are perfectly suited for a wide range of industrial applications. They are particularly found in:
▶️Light industrial tooling: screwdrivers, rivet guns, deburring tools, drills, brushing machines etc.
▶️Handling and transport systems: lifting, conveying, sorting, part molding, and product assembly. For lifting applications, starting torque is a crucial factor to consider.
▶️A wide variety of industries: automotive, aeronautics, military artillery, furniture, household appliances, electronics, food products. They are particularly used in the chemical, petrochemical, and mechanical industries for high-stress applications.
▶️Operations requiring frequent start-stop cycles or those that may cause the motor to stall, without risk of overheating or damage.
▶️Portable applications and those where space is limited, thanks to their compact design (4 to 5 times smaller and lighter than equivalent power electric motors).
One of the main strengths of pneumatic motors is their ability to operate safely in environments where other technologies, especially electric ones, present risks:
✅Explosive (ATEX) zones: Compressed air motors produce neither heat nor sparks, making them ideal for use in explosive atmospheres. They eliminate the need for electrical power in these dangerous areas. Obtaining ATEX certification for a pneumatic motor is simple and inexpensive.
The risk of explosion from electricity (motors, grid, connections) is real in industry. The use of pneumatic motors is a highly recommended alternative in these environments.
✅Extreme temperatures and harsh conditions: They can operate within a wide temperature range, from -30 °C to +150 °C. The expansion of air during operation has a continuous cooling effect, which protects them from overheating. They are also resistant to dust, humid air, magnetic fields, and radiation.
✅Clean environments: In industries where cleanliness is paramount (pharmaceutical, nuclear), motors must be equipped with an integrated air exhaust manifold to avoid contaminating the work environment.
✅Submarine and sealed applications: It is possible to manufacture sealed pneumatic motors, capable of operating several meters underwater. This sealing is also useful in environments requiring a perfectly sealed motor, such as in the nuclear or chemical processing industries.
Pneumatic motors offer great flexibility of use:
Reversible operation:
Many are reversible, and their direction of rotation can be changed easily, even without stopping, by modifying the air injection point or via an appropriate valve.
Easy control:
Control of the direction of rotation, torque, and speed is simply achieved by adjusting the air pressure and flow using regulators.
Choosing the right pneumatic motor always begins with a clear analysis of the application and the work to be performed. By understanding your needs in terms of speed, torque, and power, and by considering the operating environment and specific constraints (starting, stalling, air consumption), you can select the most efficient and safest motor.
Pneumatic motors offer a simple, robust, and reliable solution for a multitude of applications, particularly where safety, durability, and performance in difficult conditions are essential.
We hope this guide has been useful.
If you would like to delve deeper into the subject or have specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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