Pneumatics 101: Top Tips for Choosing the Best Air Motors
There are many air motors out there and choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. If you need some help figuring out which air motor is the right one for you, keep reading to find out more.
To know about air motors you must first know a little about pneumatics. This motor takes compressed air and turns that into energy. This is then used for mechanical work.
These are usually found in industrial areas. Many handheld tools use air motors. Tire shops use them for air guns.
Air Motors
Industrial air motors use safe, compressed air and are used to develop torque and continuous rotating motion. They tend to be rugged and heavy-duty, lasting a long time.
An air motor does not require electrical power so it can often be used in environments where electricity is not advisable. Many times they have higher power densities than the same size electrical product, so a smaller air motor gets used.
These usually generate less heat than electrical motors. They also do not need overload protection.
Types of Air Motors
There are different types of air motors. The one you get depends on what you need to do.
Vane motors are light and less expensive than other motors. They have less starting torque but rotate at higher speeds. They operate using clean air.
Piston air motors have four to six cylinders. Each cylinder holds pressure that produces power. They have a high starting torque and have lower rotation levels than vane motors, making them a good choice for heavy loads at low speeds.
Gerotor air motors have high torque at low speeds. They do not need additional gearing and are less sensitive to mounting orientation than piston air motors.
Turbine motors have greater efficiency than other motors. This is because their internal parts have no friction. They are compact and light but deliver plenty of power.
Choosing the Right One
Choosing the right air motor involves knowing the application you need it for. You need enough power for the job to get done. You must consider what the horsepower produces but also the torque because this can change the speed.
Air motor specification can get tricky, but try to pick one that gives you the horsepower and torque you need at two-thirds of the air supply pressure that is available. This means full pressure can get used for overloads and starting.
Many people choose Gast products because of their reliability and heavy-duty construction. When getting a gast air motor, it will be easy to find the right one for the job.
Motor Applications
If you still need a little help picking the right air motors, you need to consider the job it will get used for. Different applications need different requirements.
Many food-grade projects need stainless steel parts, while the oil industry tries not to use products that need lubrication. This provides a cleaner work environment.
You will need to know the amount of power you need. Air motors don’t all have the same power levels from start to finish.
It is worth taking the time to get the right air motor for the job the first time. Follow us for more tips!
