Unusual uses for air motors, who would have thought?!

Air compressed motors are often the motor of choice for use in certain industries where safety and/or hygiene could be adversely affected by using an electrical motor – for example in humid, corrosive, explosive or wet environments, or when the immediate working environment must be kept extremely clean or even sterile.

Here are a few examples of some of the more unusual uses for air compressed motors:

Air motors in Food&Beverage industry

• In the meat industry, a pneumatic motor is used to cut the ears off rabbits as part of the preparation process ahead of sale.
• In Morocco, a biscuit company that makes triangular shaped cookies uses a compressed air motor to stir the biscuit dough.
• A client in the ice cream industry uses one of our motors to make its cornets –an air motor is required as the equipment is cleaned at very high temperatures for hygiene reasons and the high heat could cause complications for electrically operated machinery
• Another client uses an air motor in a machine used for filleting fish
• We also have a customer who designed a machine aimed at tearing off fish bones !

Air motors in the wine industry

• A wine producer uses a pneumatic motor to activate the large doors opening into the distillery. There are two reasons why it is important to use an air motor in this instance. 
  • First, gases leak from the wine vats during the fermentation process which increases the risk of explosion should an electrical motor overheat (if the mechanics jammed for example).
  • Second, the air motor activating the doors will automatically stop if it meets with any resistance, which could prove a critical safety measure should anyone be standing close to the doors when they open and shut.

Air motors in the transport industry

• A client in the luxury yacht sector uses our motor to activate the Jacuzzi cover. The primary fear on a boat is a fire, so an alternative to electrical power is always welcome. Should the Jacuzzi cover get blocked for any reason when opening or closing, the air motor will simply stall, whereas an electric motor would risk overheating. Equally, salt air is corrosive and air motors are more resistant in corrosive (and humid) conditions
• The lorry-making industry uses air-powered bearings to manoeuvre the large, heavy vehicle body between the different work spaces in the production plant
• Thanks to the air bearings, the vehicle body is easy and relatively light to move around. Because compressed air is available everywhere, air motors are used to “push” loads. The concept is similar to the working of a hovercraft.

Air motors in the nuclear industry

• In the nuclear industry, waste residue is stored underground for potentially hundreds of years. The waste is taken 500m below surface level in a lift, before being pushed 120m horizontally in a small tunnel to the storage area. An early-stage project is developing a snake-like robot, powered by a compressed air motor, to push the nuclear waste through the underground tunnel. Once again, use of a pneumatic motor is preferred for safety reasons.

Air motors in the health industry

• Physiotherapists often use automated chairs in the re-education of patients with complications in the leg, notably the knees. We helped a client to produce a specific design, operated with a pneumatic motor, that enabled the adjustment of both torque and speed. This meant the chair could be adjusted to the different weight and size of patients, and could allow for varying levels of elevation as well as speed.

As you can see, pneumatic motors can be used in a wide variety of applications and in all sorts of industries. So, whatever your requirements – no matter how weird and wonderful – don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we’ll find the right motor for your needs.