Pneumatic Components
Often forgotten about, pneumatic components are just as important as any other parts of a worker’s setup. Without these components, a worker will be unable to use their pneumatic tool. The objective of pneumatic components is to connect an air compressor to a pneumatic tool, in a manner that allows for constant and reliable air flow and pressure. If the wrong pneumatic components are attached, reliability issues may occur with the firing of a tool.
- Air Hoses – An air compressor hose connects an air compressor on one end, to a pneumatic tool on the other end. Without a pneumatic hose there is no way to transfer compressed air from an air compressor to a pneumatic tool and therefore the tool would be unusable. Air hoses are available in a variety of lengths, diameters and materials, for a range of weather conditions and work environments. The length of the air hose chosen is solely dependent on how far the user intends to work from the compressor. The diameter of the air hose should be chosen depending on how much compressed air the user requires to pass through to the tool, to reliably fire it. Finally, the type of material chosen for the air hose should be based on the weather conditions and environments that a user intends to work in.
- Industrial Fittings – Available in a variety of diameters, industrial fittings are small devices designed to fit on the end of air compressors, air hoses and air tools and connect all three with one another. The diameter of the air hose being used should match the diameter of the fitting that is being attached. Common diameters include 1/4" (6mm), 5/16" (8mm), 3/8" (10mm) and 1/2" (13mm). They are generally produced in 2 main forms, female threading and male threading. Common industrial fittings include adaptors, couplings and a variety of different connectors, Y-pieces and tailpieces. In the case of couplings and adaptors, they are also produced in Hi Flow and PCL variations. Whether a user chooses a Hi Flow hose fitting, or PCL hose fitting, will depend on the amount of air flow they require to pass through to the tools they intend to use.
