Sauber ensures safety

The modular pressure regulators of the series 25A-AR10-40A ensure high-quality compressed air and thus safe processes, for example as part of the maintenance unit of the AC-D series (filter, regulator, lubricator). (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

Insufficiently cleaned compressed air contaminated with dirt particles negatively affects machines, systems, and product quality during the manufacturing of electrodes or battery cells. As part of the maintenance unit of the AC series – consisting of filter, regulator, and lubricator – the modular regulator series 25A-AR10-40A from automation specialist SMC ensures high compressed air quality and thus process safety in many pneumatic applications. The zinc-/copper-free and explosion-proof models are part of SMC's 25A range and are therefore ideally suited for automated battery manufacturing processes.

In the case of the regulators of series 25A-AR10-40A, the pressure drop has been improved by up to 50% compared to other models – for example, with the model AR20-02-A. The solution enables modular construction as a regulator battery in modular design as a unified housing construction, including the additional stacking with all accessories (filter, regulator, lubricator) of the AC-D maintenance unit, which allows classification of compressed air quality according to ISO8573-1:2010 through various combinations. As part of SMC's 25A portfolio, the series 25A-AR10-40A offers special features for battery manufacturing: Zinc-/copper-free materials are used – to prevent chemical reactions within the battery cell and to ensure manufacturing quality. The 25A products are also certified explosion-proof according to the ATEX directive and use a lubricant that functions smoothly even in dry rooms, such as electrode production or cell assembly.

Clean compressed air in a complete package

The uniform housing design of series 25A-AR10-40A also helps prevent dust and other foreign substances from accumulating significantly on the outside of the pressure regulators. The manometer is mounted without protruding components, reducing the risk of injury and avoiding potential damage to the manometer itself – thereby decreasing the need for spare parts and associated costs. The modular pressure regulators can be easily complemented with the AC-D series maintenance unit for filtering and cooling the compressed air. These units offer a particularly lightweight and compact construction in modular design with sizes 20, 30, and 40. They also prevent particle buildup on the outside through a consistent appearance aligned with clean design principles.

Easy handling and product selection

All settings on the series 25A-AR10-40A pressure regulators are straightforward: pressure regulation is achieved via an ergonomic adjustment knob within a control pressure range of 0.05 to 0.85 MPa, while a transparent open/close window on the installation manometer simplifies the adjustment of the pressure range. Thanks to connection sizes of 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2, integration into existing systems is no problem. To make component coordination easier, SMC also provides an online configurator: this allows for faster plausibility checks and prevents incorrect orders.

Extensive selection for automated processes

The 25A-AR10-40A series is part of SMC's 25A portfolio – the largest globally with 200 base models for battery manufacturing automation. It includes cylinders, actuators, valves, hoses, connection elements, vacuum products, sensors, switches, as well as solutions for compressed air preparation, covering all relevant steps: from electrode/cell manufacturing through assembly and integration to inspection, packaging, and other processes.

The models with SMC's proprietary suffix 25A restrict the use of copper, zinc, and nickel, feature explosion protection according to ATEX guidelines, and are highly corrosion-resistant and suitable for dry rooms with dew points down to -80°C. In the extended portfolio, SMC also offers handy ionizers for reducing electrostatic electricity and powerful cooling and temperature control devices, for example, for laser applications.