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The reduced contact pressure and the lightweight give compressed-air-driven pneumatics a crucial advantage in cutting-edge handling and robotics applications.
Industrial designers increasingly are turning to compressed-air-driven pneumatics to power the latest robotic technology.
While traditionally driven by electric power, more robotic devices that take advantage of pneumatics' lightweight and reduced contact energy are being created. Advanced sensor technology “will allow the robot to recognize when it is being touched,” Dr. Frank Melzer, chief technology officer for pneumatics manufacturer Festo, writes in TechBriefs.
Cutting-edge soft robots are also being developed for prosthetics and orthotics. They may soon interact directly with humans in rehabilitation and homecare applications, according to “Soft Pneumatic Actuators,” an article published by Georgia Tech.
In addition, a variety of manufacturers are using pneumatics to make grippers used in food harvesting, warehousing, packaging and industrial applications, according to “Going soft on grippers,” an article on the Pneumatic Tips website.
Finally, as Melzer notes in his Tech Briefs article, “No other technology has such a sensitive and flexible approach to human-robot collaboration as pneumatics because changes in air pressure due to contact or adjustment can be immediately sensed and rapidly adjusted.”
The move to pneumatics is happening for several reasons. Let’s start by summarizing the advantages that pneumatics and compressed air offer equipment designers.
Why Machine Designers Like Pneumatics
Pneumatic systems offer several critical advantages to machine designers. They are:
- Sensitive. As noted above, designers value pneumatic systems for their pressing and squeezing ability, which can be critical in handling fragile items. Compressed air has a softer touch than is possible with hydraulics or electromechanical devices, according to the National Fluid Power Association.
- Strong. Pneumatic devices are stronger than comparable electric devices, delivering higher torque levels. See how easy it is to move a 10-ton compressor using pneumatics.
- Lightweight. Pneumatic systems’ weight advantages enable designers to create lightweight robotic arms and assemblies.
- Small. Pneumatic devices take up less space than traditional electric devices.
- Fast. Pneumatic actuators react almost instantaneously, making them ideal for high-speed automation systems.
- Precise. Pneumatic devices with electronic controls have positioning accuracy comparable to electromechanical and hydraulic systems.
Pneumatic systems are dynamic enough to do almost anything you need. We rarely see a specification that a pneumatically controlled device can’t meet.
Compressed air helps give pneumatics a soft touch critical for automated handling of sensitive items.
For end-users, pneumatically driven equipment offers critical advantages.
Why End Users Like Pneumatics
Pneumatic systems provide end users with several performance enhancements:
- Safety. Compressed-air-driven pneumatics offers machine designers many benefits, especially in applications like mining, where volatile substances in the ambient air are present.
- Resistance to harsh conditions. Pneumatic devices resist heat, dust and dirt and can handle temperatures from 0°F -200°F. As mentioned, they perform well in hostile environments like mining, where pneumatically driven robots do work that might be hazardous for humans.
Pneumatic systems are better than other power sources in harsh or dangerous environments.
- Reliability. Pneumatic systems experience less overheating, less wear and fewer breakdowns than comparable electrical or hydraulic systems and generally have a longer service life.
- Cleanliness. With the right compressed air systems and filtration, you can achieve purity that meets strict ISO 8573-1 (2010) Class 0 standards.
Because of their inherent cleanliness, pneumatic systems power the robots used in surgery.
- Low initial cost. Pneumatic systems have a lower initial cost than comparable hydraulic and electrical motors and drive systems.
- Scalability. Some pneumatic devices may only need a small amount of air flow and thus may be able to use low-pressure systems, like Kaishan’s KRSL low-pressure rotary screw air compressor.
- Low cost of ownership. The combination of safety, reduced maintenance, less downtime and lower initial cost translates into a lower cost of ownership.
Several different types of air compressors for pneumatics. While almost any can help pneumatically driven systems achieve the low contact energy and sensitivity that machine designers are looking for, most facilities use rotary screw compressors.
Advantages of Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Rotary screw compressors are the best air compressors for pneumatics for several reasons:
- Speed and flexibility. Rotary screw compressors respond quickly to changing demands, unlike other compressors that take time to ramp up pressure and flow.
- Steady air flow. Rotary screw machines are known for producing steady streams of compressed air without the pulsations that sometimes occur with other types of compressors, especially reciprocating or piston compressors. That’s crucial for sensitive pneumatic controls.
- Cleanliness. Rotary screw air compressors provide high-quality air, free of impurities and moisture. If you need oil-free compressed air for applications such as food and beverage, electronics, healthcare and medical devices, our new KROF oil-free rotary screw compressor, produces ISO 8573-1, Class 0 oil-free compressed air that safeguards the integrity of your products.
Our KROF oil-free rotary screw compressor, produces oil-free compressed air suitable for applications needing high-quality air.
- Efficiency. Rotary screw compressors deliver more compressed air per horsepower across varying demands, giving you more power and flexibility than other types of compressors. They have a simple, time-tested design that enables impressive efficiency.
- Robust operation. Rotary screw compressors work best with a 100% duty cycle—we recommend setting up your compressed air system so that they operate as close to full load as possible. In addition, they can handle variations in demand and temperature extremes.
- Less maintenance. Because they have fewer moving parts, rotary screw air compressors require less maintenance.
- Long-term reliability. Rotary screw machines are designed for long-term reliability, giving them a relatively low total cost of ownership.
- Lower lifetime costs. Because of their rugged reliability, energy efficiency, extended lifetime and warranty protection, rotary screw air compressors have lower lifetime costs and total cost of ownership than other compressor types.
- Footprint. Rotary screw air compressors are compact and occupy relatively little floor space.
- Less noise. Compared to other types of compressors (especially reciprocating machines), rotary screw air compressors make much less noise.
- Better warranties. Rotary screw air compressors generally have better warranties than other types of air compressors because of their reliability, efficiency and long life. In fact, Kaishan’s KRSP and KRSP2 rotary screw compressors are backed by a lifetime warranty on the airend.
An unmatched lifetime airend warranty backs Kaishan’s KRSP and KRSP2 rotary screw compressors, thanks to their reliability, efficiency and long life.
The Key to Pneumatics Is Having a Local Compressed Air Professional
Your success in deploying pneumatic systems depends on having a consistent source of compressed air. A compressed air professional can help you design, install and maintain a system that will supply the consistent pressure and flow that “soft-touch” pneumatics requires.
We work with a nationwide network of independent distributors, to provide that expert help when and where you need it. These independent businesses can provide on-site assistance and consultation as needed, helping you select and size your air compressor system and servicing it after the sale. They have staff members who are skilled in advanced compressed air technology.
We partner with these companies because it's the best way to serve you. You won’t encounter the red tape you sometimes find with large corporate suppliers. Our distributors offer expert guidance, faster response times and personalized support tailored to your needs. They’re not simply selling compressors, they want to build a relationship that will ensure you get the right system, reliable service and quick access to parts when you need them most—maximizing efficiency and minimizing downtime.
In short, when you buy through Kaishan, you're getting more than a product—you're getting a local partner who cares about your business and wants to see it succeed.
Key Takeaways
- While traditionally driven by electric power, more robotic devices that take advantage of pneumatics' lightweight and reduced contact energy are being created.
- Pneumatic systems offer several critical advantages to machine designers, including sensitivity, strength, lightweight, size, speed and precision.
- For end-users, pneumatic devices offer safety, resistance to harsh conditions, reliability, cleanliness, low initial cost, scalability and low cost of ownership.
- To provide compressed air for pneumatic systems, rotary screw air compressors are the best choice, offering speed and flexibility, steady air flow, cleanliness, efficiency, robust operation, low maintenance, long-term reliability, lower lifetime costs, less noise and better warranties.
Let Us Help
Selecting the right air compressor for your soft-touch pneumatic needs is critical to the operation of your compressed air system and all the processes that rely on that system. If you need help figuring out the best strategy for your operation, get in touch with the experts at Kaishan. Contact us today.
Listen to the Podcast Version
The Gentle Revolution: Pneumatics in Robotics
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Big Dog Podcast! I’m Lisa Saunders, and as always, I’m here with Jason Reed. Today, we’re diving into something that’s honestly changing the way robots interact with the world—pneumatics. Jason, you ever think we’d be talking about robots with a soft touch?Not in a million years, Lisa. I mean, when I started out, robots were all about brute force—pick and place, heavy lifting, nothing gentle about it. But now? Pneumatics are making robots, well, almost... delicate. It’s wild.
Exactly. That’s the thing—compressed-air-driven pneumatics are letting designers build robots that can handle fragile stuff, like, I don’t know, a microchip or even a tomato, without crushing it. It’s all about that reduced contact pressure and lightweight design. And it’s not just in factories. I was reading about soft robots being used in prosthetics and even in rehab. They’re starting to show up in healthcare, helping people recover, or just making life easier at home.
Yeah, and the tech’s getting smarter, too. You’ve got these advanced sensors now—robots can actually sense when they’re being touched. I think it was Festo’s CTO who said, “No other technology has such a sensitive and flexible approach to human-robot collaboration as pneumatics.” That’s a mouthful, but it’s true. The air pressure changes, the robot feels it, and it adjusts. That’s a game changer, especially if you’re working side by side with people.
Totally. And I’ve got a story for you—there’s this robotics startup I visited, they’re working on automating the handling of super fragile electronics. They tried electric grippers, but they kept damaging the parts. Switched to pneumatics, added some smart sensors, and suddenly they could pick up these tiny, delicate boards without a scratch. The engineers were honestly relieved. It’s like, sometimes the simplest solution—air—turns out to be the best one.
That’s the thing, right? Everyone wants to overcomplicate it, but sometimes you just need a gentle squeeze. Pneumatics do that better than anything else. And, uh, I might be wrong, but I think we’re just scratching the surface with what these systems can do in robotics.
Built for Toughness and Precision
So, let’s talk about why machine designers are all in on pneumatics. It’s not just the soft touch. There’s sensitivity, sure, but also strength, speed, and the fact that these systems are lightweight and compact. You can build a robot arm that’s fast and precise, but it doesn’t weigh a ton or take up half the floor.Yeah, and don’t forget toughness. I mean, I’ve seen pneumatic systems run in places where electrics just can’t hack it. Dust, heat, you name it. Actually, I remember this one factory—super dusty, like, you’d wipe your hand on a machine and come away looking like you’d been mining coal. The electric actuators kept failing, just couldn’t handle the grit. We swapped in pneumatics, and suddenly, no more breakdowns. They just kept running. Less wear, less overheating, and honestly, less headache for everyone.
That’s a great point. And for end users, it’s not just about reliability. There’s safety, too. Pneumatics don’t spark, so you can use them in places with volatile stuff in the air—like mining or food processing. And if you need clean air, you can get ISO 8573-1 Class 0 purity with the right setup. That’s, uh, basically as clean as it gets. Perfect for surgery robots or anything in healthcare.
Yeah, and the cost side matters, too. Lower initial cost, less maintenance, and you don’t have to worry about downtime as much. Plus, if you only need a little airflow, you can go with a smaller, low-pressure system. It’s scalable. I always say, if you want something that just works, go pneumatic. Unless you like fixing stuff all day, then, sure, stick with electrics.
(Laughs) I’ll take less fixing, thanks. But seriously, it’s that combo—sensitive enough for delicate work, tough enough for the worst environments. That’s why you see pneumatics everywhere from warehouses to hospitals.
Rotary Screw Compressors: The Backbone of Modern Automation
Alright, let’s get into the heart of it—how do you actually power all these pneumatic systems? Rotary screw compressors. That’s the backbone. If you want steady, pure airflow, low maintenance, and energy efficiency, you go with something like Kaishan’s KRSP or KRSP2. They’re built for this stuff. No pulsing, no weird pressure drops, just a constant stream of air. That’s what you need for sensitive controls.And it’s not just about the machine, right? You need local expertise. I mean, you can buy the best compressor in the world, but if it’s not installed or maintained right, you’re gonna have problems. That’s why working with professionals—people who know compressed air inside and out—makes all the difference. They help you size it, set it up, and keep it running. It’s not just a sale, it’s a partnership.
Yeah, and I’ve seen that firsthand. There was this plant in the Midwest—old compressors, constant downtime, everyone frustrated. They switched to rotary screw compressors, got a local team to handle the install and maintenance, and suddenly, downtime dropped way off. They saved a ton on repairs and lost production. Sometimes, it’s not about the fanciest tech, it’s about having the right setup and the right people backing you up.
That’s what it comes down to—reliability, efficiency, and support. Rotary screw compressors give you all that, and when you’ve got a good partner, you’re set up for the long haul. I mean, Kaishan even backs their airends with a lifetime warranty. That says a lot about confidence in the tech.
Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap it up. Pneumatics are changing robotics, rotary screw compressors are making it all possible, and if you want it to work, get the right people on your side. Lisa, anything else before we sign off?
Nope, I think we covered it. Thanks for listening, everyone. We’ll be back next time with more straight talk on compressed air and automation. Jason, always a pleasure.
Right back at you, Lisa. See you next time on The Big Dog Podcast. Take care, folks.
