31 May 2022
Pneumatic systems are mostly used in heavy vehicles such as trucks, trailers, buses, and railroad trains because they’re less complex than hydraulic systems. Together with air braking systems, the most popular and simplest pneumatic system for heavy and duty vehicles is air suspension. Notwithstanding the benefit and the simplicity of a pneumatic circuit mounted on vehicles, all the pneumatic components must be resistant and meet sector-specific standards. Cmatic is able to offer several fittings lines developed for heavy vehicle applications.
Pneumatic systems vs Hydraulic systems for vehicle applications
Pneumatic systems provide several advantages compared to the hydraulic systems that are mainly mounted on our cars. For example, when a compressor is mounted on the vehicle the supply of air is unlimited, thus the system cannot run out of its operating fluid even in case of minor leakages moreover, the maintenance is faster. In fact, to attach and detach a pneumatic connection is easier by far than assembling/disassembling a hydraulic connection. There is also no risk to get air into the hydraulic fluid. Finally, compressed air can serve more accessory applications than oil (a truck with hydraulic brakes still needs compressed air for seat adjustment, air horn, or sliding tarp system).
Air brakes are effective even with considerable leakage, so an air braking system can be designed with sufficient “fail-safe” capacity to stop the vehicle safely even when leaking.
Since maintenance it’s easy and does not require many tools, air brakes are the most common air braking systems.
Pneumatic systems for transportation
The 5 main components of any air braking system are the following:
- Compressor: to build up and maintain air pressure
- Reservoirs: to store the compressed air
- Foot valve: to draw compressed air from reservoirs when it is needed for braking
- Brake chambers: to transfer the force of compressed air to mechanical linkages
- Brake shoes and drums or brake rotors and pads: to create the friction needed to stop the vehicle
Nowadays, there are many different layouts for air braking systems that can involve even 50 components but all work on the same principles.
Together with the air brake system, another popular pneumatic system on heavy vehicles is air suspension. Air suspension is used in place of conventional steel springs in heavy vehicle applications such as buses and trucks, and in some off-road pick-ups. Air suspension systems are simpler than air braking systems and require fewer components and fewer fittings to connect the parts.
Cmatic offers 3 complete fitting lines (push-in, standard, and function fittings) developed for Vehicle applications/ air braking systems in the European market and certified by TUV according to DIN 74324, ISO 9227 and ISO 60068.
Cmatic MT Push-in fitting line (also available in DOT NPT for the US market as PT Line) is different from a standard push-in fitting because its design has been developed to be used in heavy vehicle applications: the gripping collet of an MT fitting is fully enclosed into the body and protected by a dust cover. This feature helps to avoid accidental tampering of the connection as a specific tool is required to pull out the tube. For further details, visit our MT line.
Moreover, commercial vehicles can be equipped with pneumatic optional such as seat adjustment or a sliding tarp system. As a result, there could be a considerable amount of pneumatic connections which during maintenance or trailer switches have to be disconnected. CO, our line of multiple connectors, is particularly useful in these cases because it allows a quick connection and disconnection of up to 24 tubes at a time. To have more info about the CO Line, visit the Multiple Connector section of this website.
Along with fittings we offer a series of complementary products including:
- MT disconnecting tool
- DIN 74324 tubing
- Tube cutter
👉🏼 Discover more about Cmatic complete offer for transportation!
