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FAQS
Q1.  Are your cylinders available in non-standard strokes?
Yes, we can make a cylinder to order in any stroke length you require up to a design maximum.
Q2.  What is the average life expectancy of the seals in your cylinders? 
Approximately: 3000 km in lubricated air medium.
Q3.  How can I slow down my cylinder? 
By using flow regulators or speed controllers to control the exhausting air from the cylinder thus reducing the speed.
Q4.  What is the smallest diameter cylinder you offer? 
Q5.  Can a standard cylinder be operated in the slow speed range of 2mm-5mm / second? 
At very slow speeds hydro-pneumatic control is recommended.
Q6.  Can I use a standard cylinder on low pressure hydraulics? 
No, even at low pressure, pneumatic seals can be fatigued by transient hydraulic shocks fed back through the system.
Q7.  Do cylinders and valves require lubrication? 
Nucon standard cylinders and valves are designed for lubricated air service. But Nucon can offer cylinder & valves for non lubricated service on request. Consult out Tech-Service for your requirement.
Q8.  What is the largest diameter cylinder Nucon can offer? 
Nucon can offer max dia 18" cylinder.
Q9. What is the longest stroke we can use on a particular cylinder? 
This depends on mounting and loading style. This needs to be calculated but as an estimate, 15 x bore diameter is a good guide.
Q10. Do reed switches come standard with magnetic cylinders? 
No, they need to be ordered separately.
Q11. What force can a cylinder exert? 
This depends on the air pressure applied to the cylinder piston.
Q12. What is the maximum temperature at which Nucon cylinders can operate? 
The maximum for cylinders with standard seals is 80C. For cylinders with Viton seals it is 120C.
Q13. Which range of 3/2 valves can also be used as "Normally closed" or "Normally open"? 
Most mechanical, manual and pilot operated spool valves but use purpose designed "normally open" solenoid spool valves.
Q14. I want to stop a cylinder at some point in its stroke - how can I do this? 
You can use a 5 port, 3 position valve which has a closed centre position. This will stop the cylinder in a mid position however the positional accuracy of using this method is not good. Leakages in the system and the compressibility of the air can cause the cylinder to creep. To eliminate these problems either a piston rod brake or hydro-pneumatic system is recommended.
Q15. How can I detect when my cylinder has reached the end of its stroke when I cannot use electrical proximity switches? 
You can use end of stroke sensor fittings which detect when all of the pressure in the cylinder has exhausted. This is not a positive system as a cylinder jamming mid stroke will allow the pressure to decrease so that the sensor fitting, thinking it is at stroke end, will give an output signal. Positive sensing can be done using a trip valve at the end of the cylinder stroke or by pneumatic output reed switches which work off the magnet in the piston like electrical reed switches.
Q16. I have a competitors product part number, how do I find the equivalent Nucon part number? 
We have lists of equivalent product numbers for many of the pneumatics industry manufacturers. Please contact us and we'll be happy to advise you of the most suitable equivalent for your application. When selecting an equivalent there are many features that may have to be taken into consideration these include: function, conformity to a standard, port connections, envelope size, orientation, performance, duty, materials of construction, pressure rating and power rating.
Q17. Do you offer cylinders that are interchangeable with other makes or brands? 
Yes, Our RM/8000 cylinders are compatible to ISO6431 / VDMA24562 standards.
Q18. How can I obtain four fixed positions using standard cylinders? 
Use two cylinders of different strokes, joined back-to-back or rod-to-rod and operate by individual control valves.
Q19. If a cylinder is cycling at a very high rate with a large mass, would the end of stroke cushioning be sufficient to stop the load? 
Only for a limited period. We recommend the use of external "shock" absorber's. Please contact us for help with particular applications.
Q20. Why does my solenoid valve stay in the operated position even when the electrical power has been turned off? 
You may have a solenoid with a locking manual override that has not been reset from the locked on position "1". These overrides can be used during set up or fault finding of an application. In normal operation the override must be set to "0".
Q21. Why does my solenoid valve not operate when connected to a supply at the test bench? 
If this is a pilot operated solenoid valve, a combination of low pressure and open outlet ports may cause too large a pressure drop within the valve resulting in weak pilot pressure. Connect the outlets to a safely mounted test actuator or pressure gauges.
Q22. Do Viton or fluorocarbon elastomers give Nucon products a higher temperature rating than the standard specified in the catalog? 
Some products such as fittings assembled with Viton seals have a higher temperature specification. Generally however Viton or fluorocarbon elastomers are used in applications where the media being controlled is incompatible with standard nitrile. While Viton seals are resistant to higher temperatures, there are many other materials used in the composition of our products that determine the final temperature specification.
Q23. How can I obtain three fixed positions using standard cylinders? 
Use two cylinders of the same stroke, joined back-to-back or rod-to-rod and operate by individual control valves.
Q24. What is the difference between "Static" end "Dynamic" spool technology? 
Static seals are held by the sleeve assembly and are stationary as the spool moves. Dynamic seals are fixed to the spool assembly and move with it.
Q25. What is meant by "integral pilot" and "internal bleed"? 
Integral pilot is a pressure supply ducted from the main valve inlet to a pilot solenoid. Internal bleed refers to the release of internal pilot pressure to cause a valves operation. Usually sensitive mechanically or air pilot operated valves with light operating forces.
Q26. What is the response time of solenoid valves? 
Response time depends on the type of valve. Typical response times for Nucon solenoid valves are between 20ms and 60ms depending on the valve type.
Q27. What is the minimum operating pressure for solenoid valves? 
The minimum operating pressure depends on the type of valve. Typical minimum operating pressures for Nucon solenoid valves are 2 to 4 bar depending on type of valve.
Q28. My solenoid valve switches intermittently or fails to switch at all, why? 
There are many reasons why solenoid valves do not switch properly. The following are some of the most common: Contaminated compressed air, voltage drops, current drops, incorrect coil, insufficient air pressure, environmental temperature (hot or cold).
Q29. What is the life expectancy of Nucon valve products? 
Nucon valves are tested for 1 million cycle operation to approve the design.
Q30. I have a valve that constantly leaks out of the exhaust - do I need a new valve? 
First remove the cylinder hose on the port of the valve that feeds the leaking exhaust. If the air is flowing out of the pipe from the cylinder then the cylinder seals require attention. If the air is coming from the valve then the valve requires attention.
Q31. What is the minimum operating pressure for pilot operated solenoid valves? 
2.0 bar minimum and depends on the specific valve type and function, single solenoid, double solenoid or 3 position. Please contact us for details.
Q32. How do I connect the appropriate wires to a standard solenoid valve connector ? 
Wire the DIN plug so that the conductors +V and 0V for d.c. or the Live and Neutral for a.c. are connected to the parallel terminals. Polarity must be observed when wiring to a d.c. plug fitted with an LED indicator. Also when fitting diode suppression to d.c. coils (banded end of the diode to +V). The earth conductor connects to the third terminal, this is essential for all unsafe voltages.
Q33. Does Nucon offer any instrument products? 
Yes, We can offer from IMI-Norgren range.
Q4. Which Nucon regulators provide extremely accurately controlled outlet pressure? 
We can offer precision regulators from IMI-Norgren range, Please contact our marketing services and dealers for more information.
Q35. Does Nucon offer a pressure regulator suitable for supply pressures up to 30bar? 
A We can offer precision regulators from IMI-Norgren range, Please contact our marketing services and dealers for more information.
Q36. Does Nucon provide pressure regulators for use with CO2 ? 
Our pressure regulators typically use nitrile elastomers. This seal material tends to deteriorate when used in CO2 applications. We recommend the use of neoprene elastomers for CO2 applications. Contact us for your specific requirement.
Q37. Can standard pressure regulators be used with nitrogen gas? 
Yes, provided that the nitrogen gas is dry and within the inlet pressure specification. All inert gases including nitrogen, argon, and in some cases helium, can be used with our standard pressure regulators with no adverse effects.
Q38. Does Nucon produce a pressure regulator suitable for use with natural gas or sour gas? 
No, our pressure regulators are not suitable for use with explosive gases.
Q39. Does Nucon offer specially cleaned and assembled pressure regulators for use with oxygen? 
We have a selection of specially prepared and assembled products including non-relieving pressure regulators suitable for use with oxygen. Contact us for more details.
Q40. Does Nucon produce pressure regulators for water or other liquids? 
We can offer from IMI-Norgren range. Contact us for more details.
Q41. My regulator is making an unusually loud humming or whistling sound. What is it and how can it be prevented?
Occasionally an application can produce a demand frequency or flow characteristic that is in the critical band of the pressure regulator's valve assembly and feedback system causing it to oscillate slightly. Sometimes altering the set pressure or changing the downstream volume will stop the problem. The usual solution however is to change the regulator characteristics by replacing the control spring with one of a higher pressure rating or changing the diaphragm to a stiffer material.
Q42. What is the difference between an Oil-Fog and a Micro-Fog Lubricator? 
Oil fog has droplet size of greater than 2. Micro-fog has droplet size of less than 2, has finer control and the oil will travel greater distances.
Q43. What oil is recommended for use with Nucon pneumatic equipment? 
We recommend using a general purpose mineral oil of ISO 3448 Viscosity Number of 32 or 46, for cylinders and valves.
Q44. My pressure regulator leaks excessively from the relief hole in the bonnet. Why does this occur and how do I fix it? 
If the main valve seat is damaged or the poppet seal is dirty or cut, air will be passing when the valve is closed and the excess pressure continuously relieved. A continuous leak even when the pressure regulator is flowing air may be due to similar damage to the relief seat. A large continuous leak may be due to a split diaphragm. To repair the fault dismantle the regulator, clean and inspect the main seat, the relief seat and the diaphragm. Renew the damaged parts as appropriate.
Q45. The Filter I use for my Airline equipment is only 40 microns. Is this suitable? 
A 40 micron filter is standard and is generally OK for most pneumatic valves and cylinder applications.
Q46. What size filter regulator (FRL) should I use? Is bigger, better?
FRL equipment should always be determined by: the required pressure, flow, and regulation range and not pipe size. Often correctly sized FRL units will have port sizes smaller than the pipe work in which it is installed.
Q47. What types of fittings do you offer?
We offer Push-on fitting to use with Nucon brand polyurethane tubes.
Q48. My filter/regulator is leaking air and I am unable to adjust it. What do I do? 
Check the following: Screws (are tight), sealing O rings, relief seat, diaphragm, auto drain assembly.
Q49. My compressed air system is producing too much water. What can I do? I don't want to buy a Dryer. 
The only satisfactory solution to this problem is to install a filter as close as practical to each and every point of use in the system.
Q50. Can plastic polycarbonate bowls be used for outdoor applications? 
No. Airline equipment fitted with plastic (polycarbonate) bowls must be kept out of direct sunlight. Metal bowls should be used in all outdoor applications.
Q51. Why do I need to use a pressure regulator in my system? 
Pressure regulators are used to reduce and regulate air pressure for optimum application performance. Compressed air is expensive to produce so the lower pressures you use will result in longer equipment life and lower energy consumption with the end result being significant cost savings.
Q52. Do you offer regulators for media other than compressed air? 
Yes, we offer regulators for water, steam and other gases. Please contact us for specific information.
Q53. Will your filter remove all the moisture from the air? 
Filters only remove the moisture that has condensed up to the filter i.e. at the temperature and pressure the air passed through the filter. To totally eliminate moisture from the system you will need to dry the air with an air dryer.
Q54. How often should filter elements be replaced? 
There is no set time limit on element life however as a general rule replace the element when: Pressure drop is too high, the element changes colour (to red), the pressure drop indicator changes colour (if fitted).
Q55. What noise level will silencers reduce exhaust air down to? 
Depending on size and line pressure, generally silencers will reduce noise levels down to between 70 to 100 dba.