Pneumatic and Electronic Controls - ControlAir
Centro provides various products, including valves, motion control, electrical enclosures, HMIs, power tools, and electric control systems. In addition to these products, we offer compressed air products to power p...
Control relays are electrical devices that control and switch electrical circuits in industrial automation and control systems. These relays act as electromechanical switches, allowing a low-power control signal to control a higher-power circuit. Control relays are commonly used to control motors, solenoids, lights, and other electrical loads. They provide reliable and efficient control by isolating the control circuit from the higher-voltage or higher-current circuits. Control relays are available in various configurations, such as electromechanical and solid-state relays, offering different features and capabilities. They play a crucial role in automating processes, ensuring proper sequencing, and enhancing the safety and reliability of control systems.
Rotary actuators are mechanical devices that convert energy into rotational motion, providing controlled movement and positioning in various applications. These actuators are designed to generate rotary force and torque to actuate valves, dampers, robotic arms, and other mechanisms requiring rotational motion. Rotary actuators can operate in different ways, including pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrically powered systems. They offer precise and reliable rotational control, allowing for accurate positioning and adjustment of components. Rotary actuators find applications in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and robotics industries, where precise and controlled rotary motion is crucial for efficient operations.
$552.51
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$241.91
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$1,380.98
$524.05
Subject to factory lead times
$1,380.98
Subject to factory lead times
$306.04
Subject to factory lead times
$552.51
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$552.51
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$241.91
Subject to factory lead times
$786.95
Subject to factory lead times
$1,380.98
$524.05
Subject to factory lead times
$1,380.98
Subject to factory lead times
$306.04
Subject to factory lead times
- Selecting the right pneumatic cylinder starts with defining the four core parameters of your application. Define four core parameters: bore size (force output = pressure × piston area, plus a 25–50% safety factor), stroke length (match to required travel, avoid excess), mounting style (fixed, flange, or pivot to suit your mechanical arrangement), and environment (standard, washdown, or food-grade seals). Speed is controlled by external flow valves, not cylinder selection. For precise positioning, consider a guided or rodless cylinder with position sensing rather than a standard unit.
- A soft starter ramps voltage at startup to limit inrush current and reduce mechanical shock, then steps aside once the motor reaches full speed. Use one when smooth starting is your only requirement. A VFD controls motor speed continuously throughout operation, making it the right choice whenever the process needs variable speed — conveyors, pumps, fans — and it delivers significant energy savings in centrifugal applications. If you only need a gentle start, use a soft starter. If you need speed control at any point during operation, invest in a VFD.
- PLCs are purpose-built for industrial environments — they tolerate heat, vibration, and electrical noise while executing control logic in deterministic millisecond scan cycles. They replace hardwired relay logic with reprogrammable software, making process changes fast and inexpensive. Built-in diagnostics centralize fault visibility and cut troubleshooting time. Modern PLCs integrate with HMIs, SCADA, and enterprise networks via standard protocols, enabling real-time data collection. Modular architecture means the system scales as the application grows.
- Start with the NEMA or IP rating: NEMA 1 for basic indoor use, NEMA 4/4X for washdown and outdoor exposure (4X adds corrosion resistance), NEMA 7/9 for hazardous classified locations. Size the enclosure with 20–30% spare interior space for future additions and adequate heat dissipation. Choose material based on environment — painted steel for standard indoor use, stainless for washdown or chemical exposure, fiberglass for highly corrosive areas. Verify any required certifications (UL, CSA, ATEX) before specifying.
- Solenoid valves are electrically actuated and can be triggered instantly by a PLC or control system, making them essential for automated, repeatable, or high-cycle applications. Manual directional control valves require a person to physically shift the valve and are appropriate for infrequent operations, manual overrides, or applications with no control system. In practice, most automated systems use solenoid valves for normal operation with a manual override built in for setup, maintenance, and emergency use. If the valve must respond to a signal, cycle repeatedly, or operate unattended, solenoid is the correct choice.

