The latest solenoid-based valves that control steam and hot water flow offer many advantages over their predecessors, which can have a positive impact upon both flow rate and the lifespan of the product. They detailed the six advantages of their new steam valve technology as the following;

1. Higher Flow- Flow rates can be improved by 20-60% with the new technology utilised in these valves.

2. Longer Life- High temperatures and pressure have had an impact on lifespan in the past, however this new generation solenoid valve has demonstrated vast improvements in this area.

3. Easier Maintenance- Heavy duty bolts made older model valves more difficult to maintain, yet the new versions benefit from hardwearing threads that can unscrew quickly and easily to make maintenance access far more straightforward.

4. Quieter Operation- New steam valve designs benefit from DC construction so can therefore eliminate the AC hum that used to be an issue with so many of the previous models.

5. Reduced Inventories- Whereas separate valves would be required for use with steam and hot water previously, the latest models are designed to work in both circumstances so you can lower the numbers you need to order and in turn reduce inventories.

6. Lower Cost- No more expensive to buy than their older counterparts, when the ability to order fewer yet maintain the same level of function, the longer lifespan and reduced energy consumption are taken into consideration, significant savings can be made with the new solenoid valves.

Please feel free to read the complete white paper from ASCO Numatics with further details on the all of the advantages of new steam valve technology by clicking here.  At BL Pneumatics, we are committed to providing you with the very latest industry relevant news as well as the best possible selection of products, so get in touch today to run through your pneumatic component needs and discover exactly what we can do for you.

Currently there are a number of manufacturers that dominate the market, including the likes of Norgren and ASCO Joucomatic who we at BL Pneumatics supply products from, however there are many up and coming manufacturers from countries such as China that are expanding their supply chain into Europe and the US, therefore beginning to instigate increased competition with the market leaders.

The new manufacturers from China produce standard pneumatic valves and actuators that they can then compete aggressively with on price, which has in turn led to the established names upping their game to produce more complex, sophisticated components that are considerably more difficult for the smaller, less established manufacturers to offer.

One particular area that the established names have been focused on is the development of high end pneumatic valve blocks, which are forecast to sell at almost five times the rate of single valves over the course of the next five years. The newer manufacturers aren’t blessed with the required skill, experience or expertise to produce components of this standard as yet, which the big names see as their way of staying at the head of the market.

It is certainly a development in the industry that we at BL Pneumatics are incredibly interested and one that we believe will only benefit our customers as high end pneumatic components are continually produced in an effort by the manufacturer to keep themselves at the pinnacle of an increasingly competitive industry.

This technology has an essential role to play in a wide variety of different equipment across a range of industries, with Norgren going to great lengths to ensure everyone is catered for. With over 50 years of experience behind them in the creation and development of pressure switches, you can be assured any switch you install will function reliably and effectively for a lengthy period of time to come.

View the video below which is full of useful tips on how to make the most of your Norgren pressure switches;

Here at BL Pneumatics, we are proud to be able to supply a number of these quality pressure switches to our valued customers, suitable for electric, electronic and pneumatic uses. For more information on our pressure switches, give us a call on 01933 358822 to place an order and benefit from next day delivery or alternatively pop into see us at our Sales Counter where you can collect your products immediately.

Following its launch over here in the UK at the Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition back in June, Norgren’s IVAC actuator has been very well received. Highly effective in cutting costs associated with energy use and operation, this innovative actuator is leading the field with its requirement for only one pneumatic and one electrical connection to function.

Check out the official video below from Norgren which provides a number of technical tips on making the most of IVAC from Ian Cole, the product marketing manager at the US manufacturer.

Should you require any further advice on the Norgren IVAC or have a question about any other pneumatic component we supply from any of the leading names in the industry, don’t hesitate to give our friendly and knowledgeable team a call on 01933 358822 who will be more than happy to help you out.

Well, let’s find out as detailed below are a few key points that make us one of the most trusted distributors of pneumatic components from the likes of Joucomatic, Norgren and more;

•    Experience- Trust can undoubtedly be gained from experience, and with over 25 years of it within our industry, we can certainly be trusted when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of all things pneumatic component related.

•    Knowledge- Another key factor in the building of trust that collates nicely with experience is knowledge, and you will be pleased to know that the knowledge we have on our product range is second to none. If you need advice or guidance on the right product to meet your needs, our team are well versed to guide you in the right direction.

•    Connections- At BL Pneumatics, we are well connected with the industry’s leading manufacturers which ensures we are always able to offer the latest products to hit the market as well as going directly to them for quick delivery of any components we don’t have in stock when you need them.

•    Individual Service- It can be so difficult to find services which feel personal and individual today, yet this is something we take great pride in. As opposed to simply buying what you need online, we encourage you to pick up the phone or come in to see us to be certain that the component you have chosen is the most suitable for your requirements.

•    Complete Package- It’s not just the supply of pneumatic components that we are adept in, as we can also extend our services to include the installation of components as well as servicing them to ensure they remain in full working order at all times.

All of these features come together to create a service that is trusted and you can feel confident coming back to each and every time a new pneumatic component is required, servicing is due or if you simply have a question you need answering. To enjoy the trusted BL Pneumatics experience today, give us a call on 01933 358822; you won’t regret it!

1. Founded after Carl Norgren sketched what turned out to be the first ever lubricator in 1927.

2. Today Norgren is recognised as a leading global supplier of a range of high performance pneumatic motion and fluid control components.

3. They have 22 manufacturing stations located around the world with a network of sales and service centres in 75 countries.

4. Customers using Norgren products can benefit from ‘increased output, reduced energy usage, lower cost of ownership and speed to market’, plus much more.

5. The company has four technical centres set up in locations around the world which means an increased level of expertise can be sourced and the high performance products we all require are continually designed and produced.

6. Norgren pride themselves on how closely they work with their customers to ensure that needs are always met and product development is in line with requirements.

7. Organic growth and acquisition of other companies now sees Norgren form part of the global IMI business which is at the forefront of industry innovation.

Hopefully you now know a little more about Norgren and why they are at the very forefront of our industry. If you’d like to find out more or discuss a particular Norgren product that you’d like to purchase, don’t hesitate to contact our team here at BL Pneumatics who will be more than happy to help.

The Kings Awards are an annual ceremony organised by New Equipment Digest in the US, with Norgren and IVAC taking home the Gold Award in the Motion Control category. This magazine serves over 200,000 people in industries including engineering, production, plant operations and maintenance, with the awards being won based on votes cast by the subscribers as well as a panel of experts. It is a highly prestigious award and one that saw IVAC beat off considerable competition to win.

The second ceremony in Germany saw IVAC awarded the ‘Industriepreis Best of 2013’ certificate. Selected in the category of Motion and Fluid Control Technologies, IVAC was amongst 90 other entries all hoping to awarded the certificate. Judged by renowned German business associates alongside a panel of University lecturers, this ceremony awards products that are seen to ‘push for smart industry’ by providing benefits on a variety of levels including technological, economical, sociological and ecological.

On winning both awards, Richard Bull of Norgren said: “This recognition through the King Awards and Industriepreis 2013 results highlight our understanding of customer needs and our ability to deliver Engineering Advantage through our innovative approach, high-performance products, and outstanding local service.”

IVAC is certainly at the cutting edge of technology and we at BL Pneumatics wouldn’t be surprised to see further awards coming its way over the coming months! To find out more about any of the Norgren components we supply, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a knowledgeable team today who will be more than happy to help.

On stand R43, experts from this world leading company will be showcasing IVAC (integrated valve and actuator control), which is a series of high performance cylinders that offer increased potential for energy saving, a vitally important feature in today’s society, alongside improved appearance and functional innovation.

As you will probably be well aware, traditional forms of pneumatic controls comprise of 13 different elements, however Norgren have now been able to condense this down into one integrated unit. This impressive technology has been designed by experienced experts in line with collaboration and feedback from customers on the improvements they felt could be made; resulting in IVAC.

Alongside offering a dramatic cut in the costs related to energy use and operation, each IVAC unit now only requires one pneumatic and one electrical connection. This immediately eliminates any requirement for additional components which in turn increases the unit’s efficiency. With such significant energy savings the belief is that, within one year of use, enough will have been saved to pay the cost of the complete IVAC unit.

Des Cunningham, who works for Norgren, said of IVAC: “After speaking with many of our customers it became clear they needed a product that not only cut costs, but also could be easily incorporated into their current operations.

“With these two factors in mind we created IVAC as a way to streamline conventional pneumatic control, and since IVAC can be retrofitted or integrated within new systems and requires no mechanical design changes from OEMs, the cylinders fit well in a range of operating environments.”

This is undoubtedly a very exciting development from the Norgren team and one that we at BL Pneumatics look forward to seeing the launch of and then being able to supply to our valued customers so you can all experience the benefits firsthand.

1. Asco Joucomatic are renowned for supplying an extensive range of both pneumatic components, in the form of actuators for instance, as well as fluid controlled products like solenoid valves and pressure operated valves.

2. With over 100 years experience behind them, they are adept at supplying components to the food, industrial, automobile and packaging industries plus many more, with continued research undertaken to create new products that meet customer’s needs.

3. A total quality program is enforced throughout the company when it comes to the production of such components, which ensures they meet all national and international guidelines to guarantee reliability and the highest level of function.

4. Rigorous testing is completed across all areas of the production process, from the early design stages through the testing, production, where high tech machinery and computerised systems are utilised, logistics and final delivery to ensure high standards are maintained across all levels.

5. The development of new products is in line with specific customer needs. Research is a large part of the new development process as specialists as constantly looking for new ways of completing tasks and the components required to achieve this.

Hopefully this post has given you a little insight into what goes on behind the scenes at Asco Joucomatic, the reasons why their products and components are so successful and why they are now recognised as one of the leading manufacturers in the field. For more information about the Joucomatic components we at BL Pneumatics can supply, don’t hesitate to contact us.

In addition to those we ran through in the previous post, the following alterations, changes or upgrades have been made;

•    The technology of the solenoid actuated diaphragm valve series 82370 has been completely redesigned with the new series, which has DVGW approval, changed to 8290. This new model series is suitable for neutral gases and liquid fuels.

•    Changes have been made to the sealing of the BSPT gauge plugs used on ISO G ported versions of the R91 range of products in order to improve performance. Norgren are therefore changing the current Allen key plug to a slotted plug.

•    The V50-53 series of inline valves and the VLHA series of products have been modified in terms of their finish and colour, which makes them similar in design to the current Norgren VM10/15 valve islands. This change by the supplier has however been accepted by Norgren and will be implemented from this month.

•    Low demand has led to slide valve part numbers 04 0420 00 0000 and 04 0421 00 0000 no longer being available with immediate effect. Whilst they haven’t appeared in Norgren catalogues for a number of years, those requiring the part from this date onwards should instead use the current slide valves, M/7328 and M/7338.

As always, should you need any guidance on how the updates could affect you or your machinery, don’t hesitate to get in touch and a friendly member of the team here at BL Pneumatics will assist you with your enquiry.