De La Salle University

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department
Term 2, A.Y. 2022 - 2023

LBYME4B - EF2

Pneumatics Report 1

Submitted by:
Acdal, Jericho Jose S.
Agustin, Raphiel Vincent C.
Montealegre, Theodore Allan II M.
Ortiz, Enrique Emmanuel S.
Villaruel, Kirk Patrick P.
Wong, Ludi Mae A.
Yabut, Jose Emmanuel D.

Submitted to:
Dr. Alvin Chua

Submission date:
March 28, 2023
 I. Introduction
In this experiment, the students are tasked to do all 5 exercises. The first exercise
involves the operation of a 3/2-way, manually operated, spring-return valve and single acting
cylinder. In this exercise, the students will be able to explain the nature of the 3/2-way, push
button operated, spring-return valve function, understand the single cylinder function, and build
a basic operation circuit for simulating a press.

The second exercise involves the operation of a single-acting cylinder with two 3/2-way,
manually operated valves in series. In this exercise, the students will be able to explain the series
connection methods, explain the function of a two-valve series connection as a safety device, and
build a circuit using a series connection.

The third exercise involves the operation of a double acting cylinder. In this exercise, the
students will be able to explain how a 5/3-way lever-operated, closed-center valve operates,
explain how a double-acting cylinder operates, and how to use a truth table.

The fourth exercise involves the operation of a 5/2-way double pilot valve. In this
exercise, the students will be able to explain how a direct operating system, containing a
double-acting cylinder, can be improved by the addition of a memory element, explain the effect
and the use of an air spring, and build the system according to a given diagram.

Lastly, the fifth exercise involves the operation of a semi-automatic pneumatic control
system. In this exercise, the students will be able to explain how a 3/2-way roller valve spring
return operates, explain how a semi-automatic pneumatic control circuit operates, and how to
build the circuit itself.

II. Experimental Procedures

The first activity allows the students to operate a 3/2-way, manually-operated,
spring-return valve, and single-acting cylinder. In this activity, the students were able to explain
how this type of system functions and understand how a single cylinder works. A series of
pneumatic hoses are used in order to transfer the compressed air onto the system and be able to
operate the system as stated in the objectives of the activity. The second activity involves the
operation of a single-acting cylinder with two 3/2-way, manually operated valves in series. The
third activity involves the operation of a double acting cylinder. The fourth activity involves the
operation of a 5/2-way double pilot valve. Lastly, the fifth activity involves the operation of a
semi-automatic pneumatic control system. These procedures are executed throughout the
activities needed to complete the module. Several guide and review questions were also
answered by the students in order to identify other aspects of using the pneumatic system.

III. Results

Figure 1. Pneumatics Exercise 1

The image above shows the configuration of a 3/2-way manually operated, spring return
valve connected to a single acting cylinder. Based on the image, an air compressor is connected
to valve V1, which is then connected to a single-acting cylinder. If the valve is activated through
a manual push, the single-acting cylinder goes to its extended (+) position, and retract (-) if the
push button is released. In pneumatic systems, a 3/2-way manually operated spring return valve
is frequently employed to regulate the flow of compressed air to pneumatic actuators like
cylinders, rotary actuators, and grippers.
 Figure 2. Pneumatics Exercise 2
The image above shows the configuration of a 3/2-way manually operated valves
connected in series. Based on the image, only 1 pressure source is used, where it is connected to
the pressure port of valve V1. The inlet port of valve V1 is then connected to the pressure port of
valve V6. Lastly, the inlet port of valve V6 is connected to the single-acting cylinder. In this
configuration, only when V1 and V6 are actuated will the cylinder operate since both valves
must be in the open position. Similarly, if only V1 or V6 is actuated, the cylinder extension and
retraction of the cylinder will not take place.

Figure 3. Pneumatics Exercise 3

 The image above shows the configuration of a double-acting cylinder. This valve is
spring centered, having three operating positions and is lever operated. When it is not being
operated, the valve remains in the center position with all its ports closed. The valve has five
ports: one inlet, two outlets and two vents. A 5/3-way directional valve, 3 position, closed center
is being used. An interesting application for this valve may be found in a control circuit for
opening and closing heavy doors, where the door has to be held in different opening positions,
such as furnace door and sliding door.

Figure 4. Pneumatics Exercise 4

The image above shows the configuration of a 5/2-way double pilot valve. Based on the
image provided, the three air compressors were used and connected to valves V1, V2, and V6,
where V2 is the pilot valve connected to the double acting cylinder CY2. It can also be seen that
V1 and V6 are connected to the pilot valve and if V1 is actuated, the cylinder will proceed to its
extended (+) position, and if V6 is actuated, the cylinder will return to its retracted (-) position.
In the industry, 5/2-way double pilot valves are usually used in automated work, specifically
packaging materials that are transported via a conveyor belt, so that sorting may be easier.
 Figure 5. Pneumatics Exercise 9
The image above shows the configuration of a semi-automatic pneumatic control system.
It enables a pneumatic circuit to be driven through one cycle only, for each operation. Each time
valve V1 is operated, the piston will travel and then immediately retract to the B- position. A
3/2-way roller valve spring return is being used. The construction and the function is similar to
the familiar 3/2-way valve, with the exception that the roller type is equipped with a lever and a
roller. This type of valve is usually operated by the movement of the piston.

IV. Discussion

LESSON No. 1: OPERATION OF A 3/2-WAY, MANUALLY-OPERATED, SPRING- RETURN

VALVE AND SINGLE –ACTING CYLINDER
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. If the air supply pipe is mistakenly connected to port V instead of port P, then:
The cylinder will not function.
The air will flow through port P.
The cylinder will be constantly activated through the connection from V to A.
It does not matter.
2. A broken or missing piston spring will cause:
The piston not to move.
 The piston to remain in the middle of its stroke.
No change in the piston function.
The piston to remain in the extended position.
3. What is the function of the hole at the cylinder end?
To bleed the lubrication oil.
To avoid pressure on the spring side.
To lubricate the piston.
A check hole.
4. How is the piston returned?
By spring force.
By compressed air force.
By oil pressure.
By gravitation.

LESSON No. 2: OPERATION OF A SINGLE-ACTING CYLINDER WITH TWO 3/2-WAY,

MANUALLY-OPERATED VALVES IN SERIES
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. If only valve (V1) is activated, then:
The press will operate nonstop.
The press will not function.
The valve (V6) will release the air.
The press will function normally.
2. If valve (V6) is connected via port V instead of port P, then:
The control circuit will no longer be safe.
It does not matter.
The press will not function.
Activating valve (V6) will activate the press.
3. Why are three rather than two junctions required for valve V1 and valve V6?
A 3/2-way valve must have two vents and one inlet.
Each valve must have two inlets and one outlet.
A 3/2-way valve must have an inlet, outlet and vent.
 Both valves should be shut.
4. Pressing valve V1 and valve V6 separately does not operate the cylinder since:
They are disconnected.
Valve V1 inlet is connected to the valve V6 outlet.
Valve V6 outlet is connected to the valve V1 inlet.
Both valves must be in the open position.

LESSON No. 3: DOUBLE-ACTING CYLINDER

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Connecting the air supply pipe to port V of valve V1 Instead of port P, will cause:
Blocking of the piston while extended.
The piston to move IN and OUT constantly.
The air to issue through port A.
Nothing to happen.
2. If we change visa versa the pipes on the cylinder ports, then:
The cylinder will not be activated.
The cylinder will operate in the opposite direction to the valve.
The valve will be blocked.
One valve will be needed for both directions.
3. Can the piston be shifted by exerting a force on the piston rod when the piston is caught
somewhere in the middle of its stroke (the cylinder operated by 5/3-way valve)?
Yes, easily.
No, this is impossible.
Yes, but only marginally.
This position is unobtainable.
4. When the 5/3-way valve is in the released position, the outlet ports to the cylinder are:
Both are closed.
Only one is open.
Both are open.
Disconnected.
LESSON No. 4: OPERATION OF 5/2-WAY DOUBLE PILOT VALVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. If you connect the outlet port of valve V6 to the ñ side of valve V2, and the outlet port of
V1 to the + side of V2, then:
Blocking of the piston while extended.
The control circuit will function in reverse.
The piston will not move.
The piston will lock in the B+ position.
The piston will lock in the B- position.
2. Is it possible to reach a position in which the piston could bemoved back and forth
manually?
Yes, but only marginally.
Yes, without any effort.
No, it is not possible.
Yes, but only to one side.
3. Depressing one of the control valves (V1 or V6) briefly, will cause:
The piston to move slightly and stop.
The piston to complete its stroke.
The piston to remain stationary.
The piston to move exactly to the middle of its stroke.

LESSON No. 9: OPERATION OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Exchanging the air pipes that are connected to the cylinder will cause:
The piston to function in a reverse cycle.
The piston to lock in the middle of its stroke.
The piston to lock in the B+ position.
Nothing to happen.
2. Reverse connection of the air control pipes to valve V2 will cause:
The piston to remain in position B-.
The piston to move to and lock in position B+.
 The piston to function normally.
The circuit to become an automatic circuit.
3. Momentarily operating valve V1 will cause the piston to move toward B+ and then
backwards to B-:
The piston has air via LV5 to complete the stroke.
When the piston has not activated valve LV5.
This cannot happen.
There must be an air leak in the system.

V. Conclusion
In conclusion, the students were able to create certain operations of a pneumatic cylinder
through various connections within the system. These various connections are in a form of
pneumatic hoses to transfer compressed air allowing the students to produce various operations,
such as 3/2-way single acting cylinder, operation of a single-acting cylinder with two 3/2-way
manually operated valves in series, a double-acting cylinder, a 5/2-way double pilot valve, a
semi-automatic pneumatic control system. In the first part of the experiment, it can be concluded
that the operation of a 3/2-way manually operated spring return valve is used to regulate the flow
of compressed air to various pneumatic actuators. In the second part of the experiment, a
single-acting cylinder system with two 3/2-way manually operated valves in series operates
manually; the cylinder is actuated by supplying compressed air to one end of the cylinder, while
the other end of the cylinder is vented to the atmosphere. This type of operation can be widely
used for numerous basic applications, where accurate control is not needed. For the third
experiment, the students were introduced to double-acting cylinders and how it behaves
physically. In the fourth experiment, a 5/2-way double pilot valve allows the flow of compressed
air to be controlled by an actuator by utilizing pilot pressure. The valves in this part of the
experiment define the number of ports and their position, these are all operated using pilot
pressure to control airflow through the system. Lastly, in the last part of the experiment, the
students created a semi-automatic pneumatic control system that requires manual input to control
the operation of the system. This experiment requires a human operator to initiate control, this
would let the system respond by executing a series of actions. Overall, these pneumatic
operations are highly used in the industry for various purposes to create an efficient operation in
a factory. The application of these pneumatic systems is applied in various industries, such as
regulating the flow of compressed air to pneumatic actuators, packaging materials to be sorted
via a conveyor belt, and many more.