Compressed air delivery via modular interfaces: thousands of mating cycles

HARTING has developed a new compressed air module to meet the increased demands on interfaces for flexible production processes – the Han® Pneumatic Module Metal. It employs robust, durable high mating cycles contacts made of metal that can be plugged and unplugged at least 10,000 times, optionally with or without hot-swap valve.

The new module means that users can see the benefits of compressed air technology in frequently converted production facilities, too – e.g. in assembly plants, processing cells or production modules for loading and unloading machines.

The new interface is distinguished by push-in fittings that operate on the push-pull principle and its ability to be used use at high operating pressures of up to 10 bar (previously 8 bar). This translates into a significant increase in the types pneumatic hoses that can be used while also extending the possible applications for the entire low pressure area.

HARTING has used flow simulations to minimise contact pressure loss. Pressure loss in the female contacts with internal valves is now half that of previous pneumatic interfaces in industrial connectors. This innovation also opens up new combination possibilities for pneumatics in modular connectors for high mating cycles (HMC). Electrical contacts for the transfer of signal and power can now be combined with contacts for the transfer of light waves and compressed air in HMC connectors for the first time – saving users valuable build space and assembly time.