Wear the required PPE, including hearing protection. Note, however, that you can choose the silencer option to reduce noise levels.
Check that the air supply hoses are in good condition and suitable for the required pressure, flow rate, and lubrication.
Use whip-check devices.
Work in a clean, well-lit environment.
Have the necessary knowledge and skills to handle pneumatic tools safely.
To ensure user safety and equipment protection, it is strongly recommended to use a safety device that integrates several essential functions: emergency stop, automatic downstream circuit purge, pressure drop detection, and automatic air supply shut-off. Our SAT Box perfectly meets these requirements.
Perform maintenance at least once a year based on your usage, and only use original parts and maintenance kits approved by Modec.
Safety First : Ensure the motor is disconnected from the air supply and that you are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
-Disassemble the Motor : Carefully take apart the motor, noting the arrangement of parts for reassembly. Use appropriate tools to avoid damaging components.
-Inspect Components : Check for wear and damage on parts such as bearings, and seals. Look for signs of corrosion or contamination.
-Clean Parts :Use a suitable cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris from the motor components. Ensure all parts are dry before reassembly.
-Replace Worn Parts : If any components are damaged or excessively worn, replace them with new parts. Ensure that replacements are compatible with your motor model.
-Reassemble the Motor: Carefully put the motor back together, following the notes you made during disassembly. Ensure all seals are properly seated to prevent air leaks.
-Lubricate: If applicable, apply the recommended lubricant to moving parts as specified in the user manual.
-Test the Motor: Reconnect the motor to the air supply and test it to ensure it operates correctly. Check for any air leaks and listen for unusual noises.
-Regular Maintenance: Implement a regular maintenance schedule to prevent future issues, including cleaning and lubrication.
Check out our tutorial on our Youtube Channel
Choose a motor suitable for the application in terms of torque and speed.
Respect the motor’s maximum supply pressure (typically 6.2 bar / 90 psi).
Use a high-quality, well-maintained FRL unit (Filter, Regulator, Lubricator) with 40 μm air filtration.
Air lubrication (and thus the FRL unit) should be located close to the motor (ideally within 3 m or less).
Use an appropriate oil in the correct quantity and quality.
Respect the operating temperature range.
Do not run the motor at no load and maximum speed for more than a few seconds.
Perform regular motor maintenance (replacement of vanes, bearings, and exhaust filters).
Store the motor in a dry location to prevent corrosion. Add 10 drops of oil into the air inlet and run the motor for a few seconds before storage.
Before restarting after storage, add 10 drops of oil into the air inlet.
MODEC recommends performing maintenance once a year or every 700 operating hours to ensure that the motor maintains its original performance.
Maintenance should be carried out by trained and qualified personnel.
Use original parts provided in Modec maintenance kits.
Refer to the video tutorials available online.
Motor maintenance should be performed in a clean and suitable environment.
By following these recommendations, you ensure optimal performance and an extended service life for your modec pneumatic motor.
MODEC air motors are particularly beneficial in several industries due to their unique properties and capabilities. The key industries that benefit the most from modec air motors include:
1. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Industries: Modec motors are resistant to high temperatures and many chemical products, making them ideal for environments where sterilization and cleanliness are crucial .
2. Automotive Industry: With their robust design and versatility, these motors can be effectively utilized in various automotive applications .
3. Food & Beverage Industry: Their resistance to wet and dusty conditions, along with being easy to clean, makes modec motors suitable for tasks from harvesting to processing and packaging .
4. Oil & Gas Industry: They are well-suited for explosive environments, being ATEX compliant which ensures safety in such applications .
5. Printing Industry: Due to their reliability and compact design, modec air motors are widely used in printing applications .
6. Textile Industry: Their compactness and ability to handle dusty atmospheres make them advantageous in textile manufacturing .
7. Marine & Shipyard Industry: The wet-air resistance and powerful performance of modec motors make them effective in marine applications .
These industries appreciate modec air motors for their flexibility, reliability, and robustness in challenging environments.
Safety in explosive atmospheres: no sparks or overheating, making air motors perfectly suited for hazardous environments, especially ATEX zones.
Robustness and reliability: designed to withstand intensive use, air motors operate reliably in all types of environments, with no risk of overheating or damage.
Compact and lightweight: at equivalent power, an air motor is 4 to 6 times lighter and more compact than an electric motor.
No sensitivity to electromagnetic fields: suitable for use even in the most sensitive environments, such as nuclear facilities.
No water hammer effect: unlike some hydraulic motors.
Flexibility: speed and torque are easily adjustable to cover a wide operating range. Ideal for repetitive start/stop cycles, with no risk of damage in case of stalling.
User-friendly: no electrical qualifications required, easy to install and operate.
Cost-effectiveness: reduced installation and operating costs, easy and low-cost maintenance.
Yes, a pneumatic motor can work underwater if it is designed with proper sealing, rust-resistant materials, and a reliable air supply system that accounts for water pressure.
modec Air motors are suitable to perform in underground applications, as they are designed with advanced waterproofing, using high-performance INOX stainless steel for parts in contact with water, effective seals to prevent air bubble escape, and a system that collects exhaust air to be vented outside the water, allowing for extended maintenance-free operation.
To find an equivalent pneumatic motor, follow these steps:
Determine the required power, either by using the power of your current motor (if known) or by determining the required torque and nominal speed, then calculating the power:
Power (W) = Torque (Nm) × Speed (rpm) / 9.55
Start by looking for a power range equivalent to or closest to your requirement.
Ensure you have the required air flow and pressure for this power range.
Choose, among the motors offered in this range, the one that matches the torque and speed characteristics of your current motor.
Pay attention to other features that may be important for your application, such as: stall torque (maximum torque delivered by the motor), starting torque (torque available to start the motor under load), no-load speed, weight and dimensions, motor flange and shaft, straight or right-angle head, integrated control handle, and any specific options.
Do not hesitate to consult and compare manufacturers’ datasheets, and/or contact specialized technicians or the manufacturer directly for recommendations tailored to your needs.
By following these steps, you will be able to identify a pneumatic motor equivalent that meets your application requirements.
An air motor, or compressed air motor, is a motor that gets its mechanical power from gas expansion, usually compressed air. This energy carrier is safe, clean, reliable and easy to use, store and transport.
To choose an air motor, you should start with the application: what it will be used for and under what constraints.
First, determine the power, torque, and speed required for your application. Knowing any two of these three values will allow you to calculate the third, since:
P (W) = T (Nm) × N (rpm) / 9.55.
Next, refer to the desired power range and select your motor with the right torque-speed combination.
Make sure to check that your air supply is compatible with the motor’s air consumption.
To learn more about the key factors for selecting the right motor, consult our Air Motor Selection Guide or contact our experts.
The maximum operating air pressure for a modec pneumatic motor should not exceed 6.2 bar . It is essential to ensure that the air supply matches the motor's specifications to operate efficiently and safely.
Additionally, the compressed air should have a dew point temperature below 10°C to prevent moisture issues.
Pneumatic motors come in several types, each suited to specific uses depending on torque, speed, precision, or working environment. Here are the main types:
Vane motors (most common)
Principle: A rotor equipped with sliding vanes rotates inside an eccentric stator.
Advantages: High efficiency, compact, robust, lightweight, versatile.
Applications: Portable tools, industrial equipment, robots.
Radial piston motors
Principle: Pistons arranged radially around a central shaft are pushed by compressed air.
Advantages: High torque at low speed, good control.
Applications: Machining machines, winches, heavy-duty applications.
Axial piston motors
Principle: Pistons are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation.
Advantages: Compact, suitable for high-speed operation.
Applications: Air-converted hydraulic systems, mobile equipment.
Turbine motors (Pelton wheel type)
Principle: Compressed air rotates a turbine.
Advantages: Very high speed, low torque.
Applications: Grinders, high-speed drills.
Oscillating motors
Principle: Back-and-forth motion or limited rotation.
Advantages: Precision in angular movements.
Applications: Positioning, automation.
Gear motors
Principle: Compressed air rotates one or more gears inside a housing. The rotation is generated by air pressure pushing against the gear teeth.
Advantages: Robust, consistent starting torque.
Applications: Industrial environments where reliability is more important than performance
To make the right choice, you should refer to the motor’s application.
If your motor is to be used manually, you will most likely need a handle to safely and easily control start and stop functions. Several options are available depending on your needs:
· Safety handle with safety trigger for easy start/stop control.
· Progressive control handle for smooth and ergonomic speed control.
→ In both cases, these handles are designed to prevent accidental start-up.
· The forward/reverse switch allows you to easily change the motor’s rotation direction manually.
If you need to integrate your motor into a machine but have weight or size constraints, choose a straight motor, which is more compact and easily controlled remotely.
Finally, in some cases, you may need an angle drive motor with a 90° output to better fit your mechanical setup. This will help you save space, and you can also benefit from an additional reduction!