Machine builders and OEMs integrating pneumatic systems into their projects face daily decisions that influence the performance, reliability, and competitiveness of the final product. Choosing pneumatic components goes beyond selecting a product from a catalogue: it requires careful evaluation of technical, logistical, and supplier partnership factors. A range like Pneumax, with its breadth and entirely Italian production, represents a concrete example of how a supplier can meet the multiple needs of OEMs.
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Before delving into technical specifications, it is useful to understand the typical needs of machine builders when approaching pneumatics. Unlike end users, who often purchase individual spare parts, OEMs think in terms of overall projects and production runs.
Among the most relevant factors is the availability of a complete range that allows sourcing from a single supplier, reducing management complexity. Equally important is flexibility in configurations, as a standard component rarely meets 100% of the specifications for a custom application. Finally, delivery times and the supplier's ability to guarantee continuity of supply are critical for those who must meet production deadlines.
A supplier with production in Italy, such as Pneumax with its facilities in Lurano (Bergamo), can offer significant advantages in terms of reduced lead times and greater responsiveness compared to competitors with delocalised production.
Solenoid valves represent the key component for managing compressed air flow. For an OEM, the choice must consider several parameters: nominal flow rate, supply voltage, IP protection rating, operating temperature and, increasingly, fieldbus compatibility for integration into Industry 4.0 systems.
In industrial automation applications, where precision and response speed are fundamental, compact solenoid valves such as the Pneumax 3000 EVO Series offer a good compromise between reduced dimensions and adequate flow rates. The 3100 version, with dimensions of 10 mm and M5 connections, achieves flow rates up to 200 Nl/min, while the 3400 version at 15.5 mm with G1/8" connections reaches 600 Nl/min. The ability to replace individual valves without disconnecting pneumatic connections significantly reduces maintenance times, an aspect that OEMs can highlight as an added benefit for their end customers.
For applications requiring advanced connectivity, compatibility with the PX Series multiprotocol module enables integration with major industrial standards: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, CANopen and IO-Link.
In an increasing number of applications, OEMs are supplementing or replacing traditional pneumatic actuators with electric solutions. The integration of AutomationWare into the Pneumax Group has significantly expanded the offering in this area, providing machine builders with a complete range of electric cylinders and axes designed to guarantee energy savings up to 90%, precision and reliability.
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💡 Note: The optimal choice always depends on the specific application. Hybrid solutions can represent the best compromise.
Electric actuators represent a strategic choice for OEMs operating in sectors with stringent requirements such as pharmaceutical and food processing, where hygienic mechatronics and reduced noise levels (below 85 dB) are determining factors.
AutomationWare linear axes are available with ball screw transmission (for maximum precision) or belt transmission (for high speeds), with sizes from 45 mm to 160 mm. Performance varies according to the chosen configuration: screw axes reach speeds up to 2 m/s with positioning accuracy of ±0.01 mm, while belt axes achieve 5 m/s with accuracy of ±0.05 mm.
For OEMs building complex handling systems or multi-axis Cartesian solutions, the modularity of these components allows infinite configuration possibilities. The proprietary design anodised aluminium profiles guarantee structural rigidity and high resistance to bending and torsion.
The range of linear actuators (E-Actuators) covers an extremely wide application range, with sizes from 16 mm to 200 mm and load capacities ranging from 1,700 N (Mech Value series) up to 213 kN (Mech Plus series). All actuators are ISO 15552 compatible, facilitating integration into existing projects or retrofitting machines that previously used pneumatic cylinders.
For applications requiring particularly high dynamic loads, custom solutions can be designed with screws sized up to 750 kN.
Completing the offering, the AWM-B series brushless servomotors (available in 6 sizes, with torques from 0.48 Nm up to 445 Nm) and the AWD servo drives with real-time connectivity via major fieldbuses: EtherCAT, PROFINET, CANopen and Modbus. This compatibility allows OEMs to integrate electric actuation into their control systems without protocol constraints.
A distinctive element for those designing with an Industry 5.0 perspective is the AwareVu™ system, which enables real-time monitoring of vibrations and temperature to support predictive maintenance strategies.
Air treatment units (FRL - Filter, Regulator, Lubricator) are often underestimated during the design phase, but they directly impact the service life of all downstream pneumatic components. Inadequately filtered and regulated compressed air accelerates wear on seals and moving parts, increasing maintenance costs for the end user.
The Pneumax FRL units from the AIRPLUS range are available in 4 sizes, with connections from 1/8" to 1" and flow rates up to 8000 Nl/min. The modular configuration allows assembly of tailored solutions for every need. For OEMs focused on energy efficiency, proportional regulators with IO-Link connectivity enable pressure optimisation based on actual load, reducing compressed air consumption.
For OEMs operating in regulated sectors, the availability of components with appropriate certifications is a priority selection criterion. Depending on the final application, ATEX compliance for explosive atmospheres, MOCA and FDA certifications for food contact, or UL/CSA approvals for export to the North American market may be required.
The Pneumax range includes certified versions for each of these areas, allowing OEMs to standardise supply from a single manufacturer even when their customers operate in different sectors. This simplifies bill of materials management and reduces the risk of errors during procurement.
The cost of compressed air significantly impacts the operating costs of industrial plants: it is estimated to represent up to 30% of a factory's energy consumption. For OEMs, offering energy-efficient machines has become an important sales argument, especially for customers with sustainability goals.
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Break-even
~13 months
5-Year Savings
€25,500
Cost Reduction
-57%
Assumptions: Initial pneumatic investment €5,000, electric €12,000. Annual operating costs: pneumatic €8,000, electric €1,500.
Choosing components designed to minimise consumption – low-power solenoid valves, proportional regulators, electric actuators as alternatives to pneumatic ones where appropriate – allows differentiation of the offering. This aspect should be evaluated at the design stage, selecting suppliers with efficiency built into their DNA.
For machine builders, pneumatic and electric components represent a recurring cost item that affects the total cost of ownership of the machine. Choosing a supplier that guarantees certified quality (ISO 9001, ISO 14001), stable production and local support means building a long-term partnership that reduces risks and simplifies management.
The Pneumax range, which now also integrates AutomationWare mechatronic solutions, offers OEMs the combination of pneumatic technology, electric actuation and fluid control from a single source: a concrete competitive advantage for those who must design increasingly high-performing and connected machines.
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