Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pneumatic Components Systems 2008
Pneumatic Components Systems 2008
Systems
Team 1640
Clem McKown – mentor
November 2008
Topics
What are pneumatics?
What are pneumatics good for?
How pneumatics work
The pneumatic system
Variations on the theme
What are pneumatics
Mechanisms which
use air pressure to
Retracted
apply mechanical Cylinder
force and
displacement (work)
The pneumatic
devices we use are
basically binary
actuators – either
retracted or Extended
Cylinder
extended
What are pneumatics good for?
Mechanisms requiring (2) discrete states
Gear shifters
Gripper articulation
Lifters
Brakes
…and a significant force or displacement
Strengths
Strengths
Simple
Strengths
Simple
Easy to control
Strengths
Simple
Easy to control
Can apply a lot of force from a small, light
package
Strengths
Simple
Easy to control
Can apply a lot of force from a small, light
package
Force is limited by air pressure and cylinder
diameter
Strengths
Simple
Easy to control
Can apply a lot of force from a small, light
package
Force is limited by air pressure and cylinder
diameter
No adverse consequence if cylinder is stopped
(no stalled motors) or reversed – compressed
air is a spring
Drawbacks
Drawbacks
A significant weight “investment” (~10
lbm) in a pneumatic system is needed
for the first pneumatic device
Drawbacks
A significant weight “investment” (~10
lbm) in a pneumatic system is needed
for the first pneumatic device
Cylinders can be subject to damage
Drawbacks
A significant weight “investment” (~10
lbm) in a pneumatic system is needed
for the first pneumatic device
Cylinders can be subject to damage
Repair impossible
Drawbacks
A significant weight “investment” (~10
lbm) in a pneumatic system is needed
for the first pneumatic device
Cylinders can be subject to damage
Repair impossible
Not well suited for non-binary actuation
In Industry
Pneumatic actuators are extensively used
by the Chemical Process Industry due to
their intrinsic safety and their ability to fail
safe (w/ spring return)
2-position pneumatically
pneumatic driven flow
actuator control valves
driving a (butterfly type)
4-way
ball valve
How it works
Stroke
Length
Cylinder Specs (Bimba DXP/DX/DP)
2
Air Pressure (gauge): 60 lbf/in
2
Dimension (in) Area (in ) Force (lbf) Mass (lbm) Length (in)
Nominal Cyl ID Rod OD Extend Retract Extend Retract Base per inch Base
3/4" 0.750 0.250 0.44 0.39 27 24 0.21 0.03 3.75
7/8" 0.875 0.250 0.60 0.55 36 33 0.32 0.03 3.56
1-1/16" 1.063 0.313 0.89 0.81 53 49 0.33 0.05 3.84
1-1/4" 1.250 0.438 1.23 1.08 74 65 0.71 0.08 4.72
1-1/2" 1.500 0.438 1.77 1.62 106 97 0.73 0.08 4.38
1-3/4" 1.750 0.500 2.41 2.21 144 133 1.64 0.11 5.75
2" 2.000 0.500 3.14 2.95 188 177 1.62 0.15 5.62
2-1/2" 2.500 0.500 4.91 4.71 295 283 2.27 0.17 5.62
3" 3.000 0.625 7.07 6.76 424 406 3.87 0.26 6.50
The pneumatic system I
(the investment)
Pressure Users
Regulator Pressure
Gauge
Pressure
Gauge
High Pressure
Low Pressure
Pressure
Vent
High-Pressure
High-Pressure
Valve
Air Storage
Air Storage
Pressure
Safety
Valve
Pressure
Switch
Motor
Compressor
Controller Spike
The pneumatic system II
(the solenoid valve)
id e
n tS S id e
Ve u t
ly/ tp
pp O u
Su
All ports
⅛” NPTF
Port B
¼” flexible tubing
Air
Pressure
¼” flexible tubing
Air
Pressure
In 2006
Team 386 created high vacuum
with cylinders
Team 386 (2006)
a better vacuum
Team 386 used suction to lift ringers,
but was underwhelmed by the vacuum
developed by venturi
Team 386 (2006)
a better vacuum
Team 386 used suction to lift ringers,
but was underwhelmed by the vacuum
developed by venturi
Generates a high
vacuum on the
larger cylinder
Generates a high
vacuum on the
larger cylinder