Industrial, electrical and electronics components distributor RS Components has extended its range of pneumatic components with products supplied by global pneumatics manufacturer SMC Pneumatics.

The decision stems from RS Components’ experience and confidence in SMC Pneumatics to supply high-quality products at an afford- able price.

“SMC Pneumatics has a team of over 130 engineers, who are continuously focusing on innovating its products to drive better performance while reducing costs. This results in leading design technology that influences industry standards,” notes RS Components South Africa (SA).

SMC Pneumatics’ range supplied to RS Components comprises more than 600 products that include cylinders, actuators, valves, fittings, assemblies, filters lubricators, regulators, hoses and air- preparation devices.

These products will cater for machine builders who are developing new pneumatics-based applications and maintenance engineers.

RS Components SA notes that the strategic partnership has enabled it to proactively respond to customers’ energy-saving demands in the pneumatics sector. The company highlights that a stringent selec- tion process is followed when a supplier – such as SMC Pneumatics’ – is selected, after which the partnership is likely to be long term.

“Many of SMC Pneumatics’ products focus on energy efficiency, besides reducing operating costs and the user’s environmental footprint. The introduction of the KQG2 one-touch pneumatic fitting, the AR-B air regulator and the CP96 range are bound to attract interest from the market,” says RS Components SA.

The KQG2 one-touch pneumatic fittings are manufactured from SUS316 stainless steel and offer higher pitting and corrosion resistance. They are suitable for applications using compressed air, water and steam. The fittings can also perform at various pressures, from 100 kPa to 1 MPa, and withstand temperatures from 5 °C to 150 °C.

Meanwhile, the AR-B series of air regulators offers pressure settings ranging from either 0.05 MPa to 0.7 MPa or 0.02 MPa to 0.2 MPa. The air regulators feature a new lightweight modular design that enables them to be connected to other SMC Pneumatics air-preparation equipment.

The AR-B series can be panel-mounted or mounted using a bracket.

Further, the CP96 range of double- and single-acting ISO-certified cylinders provide various options, including a 32 mm to 100 mm bore and a 25 mm to 500 mm stroke, as well as double and single rods.

The CP96 double-acting cylinders incorporate a floating seal mechanism to eliminate piston rod lurching at the end of the stroke. The cylinders also use precision bushings and piston-rod tolerances.

RS Components is the trading brand of UK-based automation and control components, engineering tools and consum- ables distributor Electrocomponents plc.

RS Components SA services 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and has a warehouse in Johannesburg, which is conveniently located to support distribution into Africa.