As mentioned in the same name, pneumatic tools are distinguished by operating through pneumatic force, using compressed air. In other words, pneumatic tools, unlike manual tools, are machines that work thanks to pressurized air, which is why they are characterized by needing an air compressor to be able to operate with them.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit pneumatic joint.

The main complementary accessory, therefore, and necessary for any pneumatic tool is an air compressor, which works through a system that collects outside air, stores it through a compression system and finally expels it.

The use of compressed air as the main source of energy has a wide variety of advantages, highlighting the saving of both physical effort and work. It is a type of tool that, despite its sometimes large dimensions, is very light and manageable.

At the same time, they are very safe tools that do not generate electrical risks such as sparks or fires. They also stand out for their great power, which makes them ideal tools with which to work on the realization of various sculptures. However, in addition to stone, a wide variety of materials such as metal, plastic, concrete or marble can be worked with pneumatic tools.

Items needed to use pneumatic tools

When entering the world of pneumatic tools, we must take into account a series of elements, several of which are essential for the correct use of these tools.

1. Compressor: One of the main factors is the proper choice of compressor. In the event that it is going to be used occasionally, at Rock&Tools we recommend that you purchase a generic compressor. However, if you want to use it more professionally, we recommend purchasing a higher quality compressor. If you need advice about the model that best suits your type of work, contact us and we will be happy to help you.
   
   Once we are clear about the use that we are going to give it, we must bear in mind that the power must be at least 3 CV, in order to avoid problems in the performance of the pneumatic hammers. However, if you already have a 2 HP power compressor, we recommend not changing it, but working with it and, depending on the demands of the work, evaluating another possible investment in the future.

2. Boiler: Once we are clear about the type of compressor that best suits us, we must ensure that the compressor's boiler has a minimum capacity of 56 liters and a maximum of 100.

3. Hose for compressed air: For greater efficiency in the performance of pneumatic tools, at Rock&Tools we also consider it essential to acquire the appropriate hose.

4. Regulator filter: This is an optional but highly recommended element, as it removes all moisture from the air entering the hammer. This is placed between the compressor and the hose.

5. Lubricator regulator filter: like the previous one, it eliminates humidity from the air, regulates pressure, and also lubricates automatically, which will allow you to always have your hammer in the right conditions.

6. Oil to lubricate: From Rock&Tools we recommend the correct lubrication of the tools before starting to manipulate them.

7. Pneumatic hammer: This tool allows us to connect other types of tools such as chisels or bush hammers. It is characterized by having much more power than a manual hammer. As for pneumatic hammers, we find a wide variety of types such as the anti-vibration pneumatic hammer, conical pneumatic hammer or ergonomic pneumatic hammer, among others. They will be specified later.

8. Pneumatic pen: it is mainly used for engraving and restoration on many surfaces that need to be treated with a certain delicacy.

 

We are specialized in pneumatic tools. Do not hesitate to contact us so that we can advise you on the best option according to your needs! In turn, in our online store we have a wide variety of types of pneumatic tools, highlighting the following:

- Anti-vibration pneumatic hammer

It stands out for its anti-vibration rubber that surrounds the hammer to eliminate part of the vibrations of the work, which makes it an ideal tool for working on all types of stones.

- Standard pneumatic hammer

With its 12.5mm tool connection, it is a type of jackhammer that can be used on all kinds of materials, beyond stone.

- Ergonomic pneumatic hammer

Our ergonomic pneumatic hammers for stonemasons and sculptors with a connection of 12.7 x 50, are ideal for carving and stone work.

- Conical pneumatic hammer

Medium to heavy weight chipping hammer for pointers, bush hammering and chiselling. And with a diameter of 13 mm.

- Widia Toolkit

Case of 7 widia chisels of different sizes to work with pneumatic hammers. Chisels for all types of materials. Connection of D.12.5mm tools ideal for pneumatic hammers with cylindrical connection of 12.5mm-12.7mm.

 

Pneumatic Tool Safety and Maintenance

Although pneumatic tools are a safe article, we must take into account a series of considerations to use them correctly and at the same time take care of their maintenance.

• Customer safety is the top priority and protecting yourself properly is essential. That is why at Rock&Tools we have created a safety kit that includes a pair of reusable earplugs, 3 pairs of disposable earplugs, a mask that offers protection against stone dust, safety glasses and anti-vibration gloves half finger

• Once we are adequately protected and before starting to manipulate the tools, it is also advisable to lubricate it. We will apply it by placing the tool with the air inlet facing upwards and then we will add a few drops of tool lubricant. Then we will connect the hose, in this way the oil will spread internally. At Rock&Tools we have an oil for pneumatic hammers.

• In turn, before starting to manipulate our pneumatic tool, we must first make sure that it is correctly connected to the compressor, that is, that the thread has been completely tightened.

• Next, once we have used the tools, we must make sure to leave the compressor hose disconnected.

• Finally, it is of vital importance that, once the tools have been used, we clean them correctly and store them in a dry place in order to avoid the possible appearance of rust.

we help you work with pneumatic tools

At Rock & Tools we are specialized in pneumatic tools so, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us so that we can advise you on everything you need.

And, finally, to anyone who wants to know more about the dry stone technique, we encourage you to read other articles on our blog. At the same time, we also invite you to follow our Social Network accounts, as well as to join our Art Space, a place where you can share the result of your works.

Pneumatic Coupling - How They Work

Figure 1: Example of a Euro coupling (up) and an Orion coupling (down)

A pneumatic coupling is used to connect compressed air tools to a compressed air line. A pneumatic coupler allows a tool to be easily connected or disconnected to a hose or pipe while it is under pressure. The system consists of two parts: the quick coupling (the female part) and the plug-in or nipple (the male part). The coupling closes the line automatically as soon as it is disconnected from a component ensuring the system stays pressurized.

In the pneumatics industry, a pneumatic coupling can be referred to by numerous names. For example, an air hose coupling, compressed air coupling, pneumatic coupling or compressor coupling refer to the same product. Fitting can also be used instead of coupling. It is also common to mention the type, such as Orion coupling or Euro coupling (as mentioned in Figure 1). Compressed air couplings are available in different variants for all kinds of applications. However, the hoses and couplings must be suitable for the specific compressed air system.

Note: The term 'pneumatic push-in fitting' usually refers to another product and is discussed in our push-in fittings article. These are one-piece couplings where a pneumatic hose can easily be inserted to make a leakproof connection.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ankle medical boot.

Table of contents

Different types of pneumatic couplings

Worldwide, there are numerous types of pneumatic couplings. For the European market, the Euro and Orion coupling are the most widely used.

 

Euro vs Orion coupling

In Europe, the Orion 5.5 (a standard from Sweden) and the Euro 7.2 (a standard from Germany) are the most common standards, whereby the Euro is often preferred. The standard Euro 7.2 quick couplings have a larger diameter than the Orion 5.5. Please note that the ARO/Orion 5.5 couplings have a similar size and shape as the Euro 7.2 couplings, however, they are not compatible! The Orion couplings are especially popular in the Benelux and Switzerland. The most popular compressed air couplings are shown in the table below.

Table 1: Common standards in air couplings

Name Image DN (mm) Common compatible models (list not complete) Micro 2.7 Parker-Rectus 20, Parker-Rectus 91, Walther 06-003, Festo KD2/KS2, IMI-Norgren 232, Aventics CP1-NW 2.7 Mini 5 Rectus 21, 90 Camozzi EWO KANI Festo KD3/KS3 IMI-Norgren 233 Aventics CP1-NW5 Euro 7.2 (7.4) 07, Festo KD4/KS4, IMI-Norgren 238, Aventics CP1-NW 7 / 7.8 Orion 5.5 ARO 210, ORION , CEJN 300, Rectus 14 & 22, JWL 512, 522, 523 and 572

Other standards (ISO-, Asian standard)

Table 1 shows some important examples of common models. However, there are many other models on the market, such as the larger version of the Orion coupling with DN 9 (Orion large/maxi) or the Japanese coupling with DN 7.5 (Asian standard). Japanese plug-in couplings (Asian Standard) are not compatible with Orion and Euro air couplings. Other examples are ISO -B, ISO -C and Euro couplings with larger diameters. The distance between Asian suppliers and European customers has narrowed considerably in recent years. This has made it easy to use Japanese pneumatic couplings, which are a standard in China. The prices are lower and the quick-release couplings generally have a larger internal diameter.

In the United States, many other types of pneumatic couplings are used. In the United Kingdom, "Airflow" or "Type 19" quick connectors are widely used.

Coupling diameter (DN)

The airflow and internal diameter are two important factors to take into account when choosing the right pneumatic plug-in coupling. The DN is the internal diameter (mm) of the coupling on the plug-in side. A larger passage will result in more air capacity and a smaller energy loss. Because the output of the coupling can have a smaller diameter, the diameter at the plug-in side is not the only internal diameter that needs to be taken into account.

Large diameter hoses or tubes are usually recommended for air transport through the pneumatic system. At the end of the line where the compressed air equipment is connected, thinner handheld hoses are usually used. Make sure that tubes or pipes are always on a decline slope. This will improve the flow of any condensate water to the nearest drain. The accumulation of condensate in the pipes, hoses, or tubes is bad for pneumatic component performance and service life. To learn more about the installation of condensate drains, read our article on condensate drain installation.

Pneumatic couplings are available with or without a valve. A valve in an air coupling is used to prevent the loss of compressed air. A valve is rarely required for semi-permanent connections, to prevent obstruction of the air flow. However, disconnecting connections can be dangerous if a hose still contains compressed air and is not properly held during disconnection.

Versions and abbreviations

A pneumatic coupling consists of a plug-in (male part) and a coupler (female part). The quick-release coupling connects to the plug-in on one side, while the other side has, for example, a thread or a hose connection. This thread can be an internal thread (female) or an external thread (male). The hose connection can be a union nut connection where the hose is squeezed with a nut. It can also be a pillar connection in which the hose is pushed over a pillar and then fixed with a hose clamp. A pillar connection is usually the most reliable connection because it is clearly visible when the connection is loosened. A hose clamp has sharp edges that can cause injuries. However, this can easily be solved by placing a heat shrink tube over the hose clamp.

There are a number of general abbreviations for pneumatic air couplings.

Table 2: Abbreviations for different types of quick couplings and plugs

Abbreviation Meaning Inlet Exhaust SM Socket Male Coupler External thread PM Plug Male Plug External thread SF Socket Female Coupler Inner thread PF Plug Female Plug Inner thread SH Socket Hose Coupler Hose connection (pillar) PH Plug Hose Plug Hose connection (pillar) SP Socket PU hose Coupler Hose connection (compression) PP Plug PU hose Plug Hose connection (compression)

Naming of Japanese pneumatic couplings

Japanese quick connectors use the same abbreviations, but this is supplemented with a number for the size. In all cases, the plug has an internal diameter of 7.5 mm. This one is bigger than the crankbait of the Euro and Orion. If the coupling is referred to as XY-N, the following dimensions apply:

Table 3: Standard sizes for couplings

N P-value H-value BSP 10 4*6 mm 8 mm (5/16") 1/8" 20 5*8 mm 8 mm (5/16") 1/4" 30 6.5*10 mm 10 mm (3/8") 3/8" 40 8*12 mm 12 mm (1/2") 1/2"

An example of a name is SH-30. This means that it is a Socket Hose with a value of 30. A Socket Hose is a quick connector (the female part) with a hose barb connection. As this is a hose pillar, in table 3 we look at the H-value column at N = 30. The inside diameter of the hose is 10 mm.

Another example is SP-40. SP-40 stands for Socket PU hose, i.e. a quick coupling with a compression fitting. Table 3 shows that the compression fitting is suitable for a hose with an inner diameter of 8 mm and an outer diameter of 12 mm.

It can therefore be concluded that the diameter of SH-30 and PH-30 is greater than that of SP-40 and PP-40. For these pneumatic couplings the inch sizes are sometimes used, for example 1/2" thread hose male instead of PM-40. Codings are also defined differently, such as 40PM in this case.

Characteristics of pneumatic couplings

Thread

Most plug-in air couplings use BSP (British Standard Pipe) thread. The BSP is an international standard that is applied worldwide, except in the United States and Canada, where the NPT thread is common. A thread is only compatible with another thread of the same standard (few exceptions). For an overview on thread standards and thread compatibility, read our thread standards technical article.

Materials

The material of the air coupling is important as it affects price, durability, and chemical resistance. View our chemical resistance chart for more information. Common pneumatic air coupling materials are:

• Galvanized steel: These are usually the cheapest steel material choice but are suitable for dry applications.
• Hardened steel: This material is more durable than galvanized steel but is slightly more expensive.
• Stainless steel: This material has very good chemical resistance and durability but comes with an increase in price.
• Plastic: Depending on the quality of the plastic, they can be durable enough for most applications and come at a cheaper price.

The material and quality of the nipple is also important and should be checked when replacing leaking couplings. These are often forgotten because they dont leak themselves. However, a damaged nipple will cause the seal in the quick-release coupling to become defective or damaged. The result is a leakage of precious compressed air. Ultimately, it is more cost-efficient not to save on high quality insert nipples.

Safety couplings

Figure 2: Example of a safety pneumatic coupling

Since compressed air is high-pressure air, it can cause serious injury to people. When disconnecting pipes or hoses, it is preferable that there is no pressure on the compressed air system. When there is pressure on the pipe, hold both sides of the hose securely during disconnection. A hose that is released can fly and move uncontrollably (bullwhip) until the pressure is completely released. This can damage machines and seriously injure employees.

Safety couplings are slightly more expensive, but they are protected against the bullwhip effect when disconnected (Figure 2). Although they are larger, heavier and therefore less convenient to use according to some users, they can make an important contribution to overall safety in the workplace. ISO or EN983 describe the requirements for these safety couplings. These couplings have a mechanism to vent before disconnecting. Some have a push button. The first time you press it, it will bleed. The second press disconnects the two parts.

Options

In addition to the sizes and types of connections, various options are available. Here are some examples:

Couplings that close in two directions (double sided shut off)

There are plug-in nipples that also close themselves. The advantage is that the pipe on the users side does not deflate. These must be used with associated couplings. This is because these couplings have a pin that opens the valve in the nipple when you connect them.

Integrated non-return valve

There are plug-in nipples with a non-return valve. The media can only flow in one direction with this system.

Non-exchangeable color-coded links

Another example of an option are links with different colors that are not interchangeable. This can, for example, prevent pipes with different gases or operating pressures from being accidentally changed.

Manifolds with multiple connections

Manifolds or multilinks are available for inserting multiple nipples into a block.

FAQs

Should you use Teflon tape on air fittings?

Teflon tape is designed to make a leak-free connection on threaded connections. Not all thread designs are suitable for sealing over the threads, sometimes the seal is created with an O-ring or gasket. The quick connect part seals with internal O-rings, so it is not advised to use teflon tape on this connection.

For more types of prosthetic knee jointinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.