 sales@rowse.co.

uk  01752 77 44 88  Login


 (0)

HOME BLOG WHAT IS PNEUMATICS?

 

WHAT IS PNEUMATICS?

Post By: Tom Rowse On: 06-07-2020 - Pneumatics

Pneumatic systems are widely used in all sorts of machines, engines and industrial applications. Every pneumatic system runs on compressed air
or gas, in order to move an actuator, and can be as simple as a single air-driven piston, or as complex as a mining operation with multiple actuators.
Plain atmospheric air is the most commonly used for compression; there's plenty of it, and in itself, it costs nothing. Pneumatic systems are
generally preferred in industry and manufacturing over hydraulic systems, because they're quieter, cheaper to run and easy to use.

What Is Pneumatics?
Pneumatics is the blanket term for the physical science of compressing air, and for the branch of mechanical engineering that deals with the use
of compressed air or gas. Pneumatics was originally as simple as compressing the air in your lungs by taking a deep breath, and then blowing it
out forcefully to do something like igniting sparks for a re or shooting a sharpened dart out of a tube. The word pneumatics derives from the
ancient Greek word for blowing, πνευμα (pneuma), and the same root form can be found in the English word 'pneumonia'.

Common Parts Of A Pneumatic System

The most common parts of a pneumatic system are:

Drives
Valves
Fittings
Tubing & Hoses
Vacuum Technology
Air Preparation (Filters, Regulators & Lubricators)
Silencers
DRIVES/CYLINDERS

Pneumatic systems work by converting force into potential energy, which then drives an actuator or cylinder with kinetic energy. This is usually in a
linear motion by means of a piston rod, or using other forms of actuation commonly called 'rodless'. The piston rod produces a simple up-and-
down or back-and-forth motion, and the rod can be pushed either via a single action or a double-action stroke.

In single-acting pneumatic cylinders the compressed air drives the linear motion of the piston rod in one direction only. At the end of the stroke,
a vacuum is created by expelling the compressed air, so the piston rod can make the return stroke via a mechanical spring. Double-acting
cylinders allow the load to work in a push-pull motion, manipulating the compressed air with valves to drive the piston rod out and back. This can
increase the length of stroke achievable, as well as enabling constant force to be maintained on alternating movements.

Rodless cylinders work in several di erent ways, including linear slide, magnetic coupling, in atable bellows and rotary vane pump. The load is
usually situated on a carriage alongside the piston, and they are often chosen for applications requiring a long stroke action or having high moment
loads.

VALVES

Valves are used in pneumatics to control and direct the air ow, and have many di erent functions. When you start up the system, you might
use a soft start or a simple on-o valve, and you can control the rate of the air ow with ow control valves. For controlling ow direction, there are
ball valves and angle seat valves, and you can use pilot valves to control a separate, secondary system.

When you need to vent the system you'll use an exhaust valve. To close it down requires a shut-o valve, and to initiate an emergency stop
you'll need a safety dump valve. All these types of valve release the air pressure from the system at speci ed times.

Simple air valves control the inward and outward ow of air into the pneumatic system, requiring some motivating force to direct or position the
ow. If this force is applied directly to the operating medium, it's a direct-operated valve rather than a pilot or secondary valve. Other simple valves
are the two-position ow control valves, which are either on or o .
Flow and directional control valves are self-explanatory, but there are also versions which allow three-way directional control from the inlet to
either of two outlet ports, and the more complex four-way valve. This can direct ow from the inlet to a choice of three outlet ports. Proportional
valves are electronically actuated using solenoids, and can alter the ow rate or pressure of the output in accordance with those of the inlet.
This type of valve is used for more complex operations with one or more outputs, where uid pressures and ow need to be distributed in
varying ratios.

It's also increasingly common in modern pneumatics to use solenoid valves, and today's complex systems have given rise to universal valve
terminals which enable modular valve con gurations. The use and choice of valves has therefore become quite a complicated undertaking, so as to
provide simultaneous control of many advanced and speci c situations.

FITTINGS

Pneumatic systems comprise many components, and they all need to be joined together with ttings. Pneumatic ttings join together the major
system components with their requisite hoses, pipes and tubes, conducting the compressed air to the active parts of the application. The
whole system is operating under the pressure of compressed gas or air, so all its component parts require tight, leak-proof seals and must t
together compatibly.

Fittings come in all shapes, types and sizes, are made of various materials, and have di erent ways of joining together. Fittings that use metal
screw-in threads are still considered to provide the tightest bond, though other materials like polymers are also now used. Pipes that are of
di erent size or type may be joined using compression ttings, while barb ttings are often chosen to join exible tubing. These have a threaded
end which connects to the pipe, and a single or multiple barbed cone which goes into the tube. Many people prefer the modern solution of push-
in
ttings, which are often used for joining air hoses. Their quick connect and disconnect design enables the easy change-over of di erent parts, and
they come in many sizes and materials.
TUBING AND HOSES

Tubing and hoses in a pneumatic system are two di erent things: hoses are typically used in high-pressure applications and are reinforced
for extra strength; tubing, on the other hand, tends to be used in applications requiring lower pressure, and does not need reinforcement.
Both come in many di erent types, with exible pneumatic tubing or hoses being more widely used than the rigid ones. The development of
strong polymers and application-speci c materials make exible tubes and hoses the most versatile parts of a pneumatic system. All you need to
do is ensure that you have the right size and type of hose or tubing for your devices, and that everything is compatible.

VACUUM TECHNOLOGY

Creating a vacuum produces conditions where the air pressure is substantially below that of atmospheric air, speci cally a negative pressure of
300 mbar or less. The available vacuum range is then subdivided into four categories, ranging from rough to ultra-high vacuum. In order to
create a vacuum, it's necessary to remove all the air from a contained space, for which you can use a vacuum generator connected to your
pneumatic system. This ejects compressed air forcibly through a di user, leaving a vacuum in the application. The item on the workspace will then
be drawn up into the vacuum by means of a suction pad or cup, and gripped there while it is processed.

Many elds of modern industry and various manufacturing processes are now using vacuum technology, including food and beverages,
pharmaceuticals, metallurgy and process engineering. They are typically used for delicate pick and place applications, such as plate glass and small
electronic components, or for gripping and holding items in position. One of the most recognisable uses for this technology is vacuum packaging.
AIR PREPARATION

When air is compressed it heats up, and when it cools again it produces condensation which contaminates the supply of compressed air. Ordinary
atmospheric air also generally contains impurities such as dirt, dust, oil and other particulates. If compressed air containing such contaminants is
passed downstream into functioning parts of the pneumatic system, such as cylinders, valves and hoses, it will inevitably cause some damage. Even
if your compressor has built-in components for ltering, drying or regulating the air intake, ttings and components along its outward journey to
the application can contribute further contamination.

In order to keep your system functioning properly for as long as possible, therefore, it’s necessary that the compressed air supply is ltered. It
is possible to install a simple air lter for this purpose, but the air will still have to be monitored to make sure that the correct pressure is being
maintained. Furthermore, the compressed air will need to be lubricated so that downstream equipment is not damaged by an excessively dry air
supply. So while all these functions can be dealt with by separate units for ltration, regulation and lubrication, it's more common these days to
install a combined Filter-Regulator-Lubricator unit (FRL).

For optimal performance of your pneumatic system, you should ensure that the air preparation takes place at the point of use for the machinery.
This is particularly important if the compressor is a long way away from it, and provides opportunities en route for the build-up of more water and
particulates. FRL units are today's integrated solution to the preparation of air, o ering a broad range of ltration options, operating pressure
regulation and lubrication where required. They are space-saving and cost-e ective, and – if properly sized and installed – will give your pneumatic
system a much longer, trouble-free working life.
SILENCERS

Pneumatic air silencers, like the silencer on your car's exhaust, are simply a means to reduce excess noise when air is exhausted from your
pneumatic system. Venting the exhaust air from a pneumatic system often makes an explosive sound, depending on the force and pressure of the
ow. This increases the operational noise levels of the application as a whole, and can cause physical damage or disturbance to personnel.
Installing a silencer is a cost-e ective solution which can be tted on pneumatic cylinders, 5/2-way solenoid valves, or other associated devices and
ttings.

In addition, silencers can manage the air ow rate out of the unit using adjustable throttle valves. These work in a similar fashion to needle valves
and can also control actuator speed. Further, the exhaust air may also contain contaminants, so an exhaust cleaner may be added to the
silencer unit to protect the environment from any harmful particulates.

Contact Us For More Pneumatics

Information
The answer to the question “What is pneumatics?” can, therefore, be as simple as "something to do with blowing", or as complicated as how to
vacuum-pack co ee, but at Rowse we're always able and willing to help with any queries.
 32
Shares

Related
Posts

How Pneumatic and Automation Systems Work Together 11 Steps: Troubleshooting Pneumatic Systems

What Are NAMUR Valves? How To Troubleshoot An Air Compressor

Get More From Rowse Straight To Your Inbox

Name Email Address Subscribe

Fast e cient service Very fantastic models of Good

varieties…
Fast e cient service, good quality Very fantastic models of Good
part varieties commodities.i like them

adamson Anthony

Environmental Policy - Quality Policy - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Reviews

Follow Rowse:    

© Copyright 2024 Rowse Limited Trading as Rowse. All Rights Reserved.