*Editor's Note: This article was originally published in April 2023 and updated in 2024 with new information.
When referring to the fluid power industry, hydraulics tend to be the most commonly thought of technology. But pneumatics — which rely on air instead of fluid to transmit power — are an important part of the industry as well. Each has its own pros and cons as well as use cases for which it is best suited.
To help shine a spotlight on pneumatics, in 2021 SMC Corporation of America founded National Pneumatics Day. It takes place April 27 each year, coinciding with parent company SMC Corporation's founding in 1959.
READ MORE: When to Specify and Use Pneumatics
As SMC states on its website, the annual event aims to celebrate the power of air and importance of pneumatics in sustainable automation. The company not only offers a range of pneumatics technologies but also works with customers to reduce compressed air and electrical consumption — helping them to save money as well as reduce their environmental footprint.
If you noticed, this week Power & Motion's website and newsletters have also been taken over by pneumatics related content. This is because we too wanted to spotlight the value and advancements taking place within pneumatic systems, and coordinate this week of dedicated content with National Pneumatics Day.
In addition to several new articles and video interviews on topics related to pneumatics, on Thursday, April 25 we will be hosting a webinar on improving the efficiency of pneumatics featuring a presentation from SMC's Jon Jensen, CFPPS, CFPECS & CFPAI, Industry Projects Manager - Energy. During the webinar, attendees will have the chance to learn about aspects of pneumatic systems which can be less efficient and ways to address them.
Register for the webinar to learn tips on how to improve the efficiency of pneumatic systems.
How SMC Celebrates Pneumatics
SMC celebrates National Pneumatics Day in a variety of ways, one of which is to encourage customers to maintain their industrial compressed air system by:
- Minimizing air leaks
- Changing the element in pneumatic air filters
- Reducing the supply pressure from air compressors.
According to the company, following these maintenance steps can reduce electrical consumption, machine downtime as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
READ MORE: How AODD Pumps with Effective Air Distribution Systems can Reduce Energy Costs
Additional ways the company aims to celebrate all things pneumatics include hosting webinars, presenting a Sustainability in Automation Award.
For 2024, the company will be hosting open houses at its facilities across the U.S. on Friday, April 26. During these events, attendees will have the chance to learn about industry trends, new technological innovations and participate in problem-solution oriented workshops. The workshops will vary by branch, but some of the topics scheduled include:
- Empowering Precision with Electric Actuators
- An overview of electric actuator technologies including basic concepts, pros & cons, the ease of use, and emerging market trends & technologies. Application examples highlight features and implementation of LE Series and EQ Series.
- Cutting the Cable with Wireless Industrial Communication
- An overview of wireless industrial communication technologies including basic concepts, pros & cons, development for merging market trends & technologies. Application examples highlight features and implementation of EXW1 and EX600-W Series.
- Controlling the Flow of Your Process
- An overview of industrial needs for fluid handling and understanding challenges, chemical compatibility, flow control, and applications such as cooling and dispending. Application examples highlight the process automation features and implementation of JSX Series.
- Emerging Technologies: End-of-Arm Tooling for Robots and Cobots
- An overview of the emerging market trends and technologies of automation products for industrial robots and collaborative robots, specifically end-of-arm tooling.
- Digital Manufacturing: An Overview of Controls, System Architecture, and PLC Basics
- An overview of controls and system architecture including simplifying PLC basics, industrial communication, and I/O devices in the automation industry. Application examples highlight features and implementation of varying controls related products.
The full list of workshops and open house locations, along with their specific activities, can be found on SMC's website.
If unable to attend an event, the company is also offering a virtual keynote entitled "Smart Eco-Factory: Best Practices for Reduced Downtime, Cost, and CO2 Footprint" during which attendees can learn how to reduce machine downtime, improve energy savings for reduced operational cost, and achieving sustainability objectives with reducing CO2 emissions.
Sustainability in Automation Award
As part of National Pneumatics Day's sustainability emphasis, SMC presents an award to a company which it feels exemplifies responsibility and sustainability in automation. These can be achieved through corporate messaging, operations, and additional efforts. Eligible companies are customers, distributors, vendors, suppliers or other partners which work with SMC.
The winner of the 2024 award will be announced by SMC on April 26. Previous winners include the Saitex USA in 2022 and PROD Design & Analytics Inc. in 2023 which is an engineering company specializing in custom machinery for various industrial applications.
Saitex is noted as being the cleanest denim manufacturer in the world as it uses 98% recycled water during production. As much as 22 gal. of water can be used at a time for a single pair of denim pants. But by incorporating green tech washing machines at its factory, SMC says Saitex is now able to use less than 1/5 of a gal. of water per pair of pants.
The company has also opened a Factory of the Future equipped with energy- and resource-efficient machinery to aid with its sustainability efforts, helping it to win SMC's Sustainability in Automation Award.
Other companies nominated for the 2023 award included:
Social Media Contest for Future Engineers
SMC also hosts a social media contest to recognize the next generation of engineers who will work with pneumatics. Special posts have been created for various social media platforms recognizing engineering organizations, including universities.
Social media visitors are encouraged to interact with the posts by commenting and liking them; those with the most engagement will win prizes from SMC including working product demos.
