Compressed Air Management System for smart energy efficiency
SMC’s Air Management System (AMS 20/30/40/60Series) provides advanced control and monitoring of compressed air in industrial environments. Designed for seamless integration with existing pneumatic setups, the AMS 20/30/40/60 automatically regulates air supply, monitors key parameters in real time and reduces unnecessary energy use during machine idle or standby periods.
What is a Compressed Air Management System?
A Compressed Air Management System monitors and controls air consumption across production lines, optimising flow, pressure and temperature to ensure stable pneumatic performance. By automatically switching between operation, standby and isolation modes, the system prevents leaks, lowers energy consumption and supports predictive maintenance.
SMC Compressed Air Management System overview
SMC’s compressed air management system represents a new generation of air management technology that integrates real-time compressed air monitoring with advanced digital control.
The system can work as a full assembly or in smaller modules to adapt to the application’s needs:
- AMS20/30/40/60 units for general compressed air management, available in multiple flow capacities up to 4000 L/min at 0.7 MPa
- AMS30X/40X variants which consist of a simplified version with a flow sensor, plus a standby regulator or residual pressure relief valve configuration, enabling automatic standby or isolation mode activation
- EXA1 Series air management hub collects flow, pressure and temperature data and communicates with higher-level systems via Industrial Ethernet, IO-Link or optional wireless modules
- Complementary components such as the ITV2050/3050-X399 standby electro-pneumatic regulators, AR20S–50S standby regulators, and VP*46E-X660/X661 residual pressure relief valves, which together complete the system architecture and support precise pressure regulation, shut-off and control functions.
Key Specifications:
- Programmable standby and isolation modes to reduce energy consumption during machine idle time and downtime
- Real-time compressed air monitoring for flow rate, pressure and temperature data collection
- Wireless connectivity with up to 100-metre range and support for up to 10 remote units
- Compatibility with industrial communication protocols Ethernet/IP™, PROFINET and EtherCAT, and IO-Link for advanced digital integration
- Flow rates up to 4000 l/min at 0.7 MPa, with port sizes ranging from 1/8 to 1 inch
- High-security data transmission with encryption protocols
- Modular design for easy installation and configuration.
Benefits of implementing SMC’s Air Management System
By incorporating our air efficiency module, manufacturers can significantly reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. The system enables automatic pressure reduction and shut-off scheduling, ensuring optimal performance during low-activity periods. This aligns with our broader energy efficiency solution approach, helping you embed compressed-air efficiency into your entire plant strategy.
This energy efficiency module also enhances maintenance capabilities by providing data for detailed analytics on air usage, helping identify inefficiencies and prevent downtime.
If you already have an air management system and you want to collect airline insights and real-time data, explore our dedicated Air Management System monitoring software.
Typical Applications of Air Management Systems
SMC’s compressed air management system is ideal for a wide range of industrial applications where energy efficiency, process control and predictive maintenance are critical. Common use cases include:
- Automotive manufacturing – Optimise pneumatic tools and robotic systems for assembly lines
- Food and beverage processing – Ensure efficient air usage in filling, blowing, labelling and other operations
- Packaging machinery – Reduce energy consumption during machine idle times and improve cycle efficiency
- Metalworking and CNC machining – Monitor compressed air usage for cutting, clamping and cooling systems
- Textile industry – Control air jets and pneumatic looms for consistent fabric production
- General factory automation – Integrate with PLCs and MES systems for smart factory applications.
These applications benefit from the system’s ability to provide data that helps reduce waste, improve uptime and support sustainability goals through advanced air management technology.
Why choose SMC's compressed air management?
SMC’s AMS20/30/40/60 Series is engineered to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 environments. With its advanced air management systems, businesses can:
- Improve operational efficiency
- Reduce energy consumption
- Extend equipment lifespan
- Achieve greater control over pneumatic processes.
Whether you're upgrading an existing setup or designing a new installation, SMC’s compressed air management solutions offer the reliability you need to stay ahead in today’s competitive industrial landscape.
If you’re unsure which Air Management System configuration best fits your application, reach out to our team of experts. We’ll guide you through the selection process and help design a compressed air management solution tailored to your operational and energy-efficiency goals.
You can also try out our Airline Equipment Configurator, an intuitive, easy-to-use software that will help you find the perfect customised air management solution for your requirements.
