Chapter 5

Identify the system

BASIC HYDRAULIC & PNEUMATIC SYSTEM 2
CE 2463
Prepared by:
Pn. Zainon Sharmila Shamsuddin
Definition of Pneumatic
Pneumatics is the transmission and control of forces and
movements by means of compressed air. (The use of
compressed air as a medium to do work).
Applications of pneumatics
Industrial applications
Pneumatic systems are used in many industrial applications such as:

Material handling
Clamping
Shifting
Positioning
Branching of material flow
Packaging
Filling
Transfer of materials
Sorting of parts
Stamping and embossing of components
Applications of pneumatics
Industrial processes
Pneumatic systems are used in carrying out machining and some industrial
processes such as:

Drilling
Turning
Milling
Sawing
Finishing
Forming
Some of the pneumatic applications
in our life
A Pneumatic machine is used to dismantle an
automobile tire
A pneumatic machine is used in an automobile
painting
A heavy duty pneumatic jackhammer
A pneumatic filling machine
Some of the pneumatic applications
in our life
A dental drill is one of the uses of the
pneumatic technology

A pneumatic device is used to fill the
tire with compressed air to adjust the
tire pressure.
Advantages and disadvantages of
pneumatics:
Advantages:

1. Availability: Air is available everywhere in unlimited quantities.
2. Transport: Air can be easily transported in pipelines, even over large
distances.
3. Storage: Compressed air can be stored in a reservoir/tank and removed as
required.
4. Temperature: Compressed air is relatively insensitive to temperature
fluctuations.
5. Cleanliness: Unlubricated exhaust air is clean.
6. The running cost is relatively inexpensive
7. Speed: Compressed air is a very fast working medium. This enables high
working speeds to be attained.
8. Overload safe: Pneumatic tools and operating components can be loaded
to the point of stopping and are therefore overload safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of
pneumatics:
Disadvantages:

1. Preparation: Compressed air requires good preparation. Dirt and
condensates should be removed.
2. Speed: As air is compressible; it is difficult to achieve uniform and
constant piston speed.
3. Force requirement: Compressed air is economical only up to a certain
force requirement. Under the normal working pressure of 600 to 700 kPa
(6 to 7 bar).
4. Noise level: The exhaust air is loud (noise). This problem has now,
however been largely solved due to the development of sound absorption
material and silencers.
Structure and signal flow of pneumatic
systems
Pneumatic systems consist of an interconnection of different groups of elements.
This group of elements forms a control path for signal flow, starting from the signal
section (input) through to the actuating section (output). Control elements control
the actuating elements in accordance with the signals received from the processing
elements.
Primary levels of the pneumatic
system
Primary levels of the pneumatic
system
Air generation and distribution
The main function of the air generation and distribution is to provide
the system with compressed air which is dry, clean, and at the required
pressure.
The compressed air supply for a pneumatic system should be
adequately calculated and made available in the appropriate quality.
Air is compressed by the air compressor and delivered to an air
distribution system in the factory. To ensure that the quality of the air is
acceptable, air service unit is utilized to prepare the air before being
supplied to the control system.
Malfunctions can be considerably reduced in the system if the
compressed air is correctly prepared. A number of aspects must be
considered.
Preparation of the compressed air:
The following points should be considered in preparing compressed air
plants:
1. Quantity of air required to meet the demand of the system
2. Type of compressor to be used to produce the quantity required
3. Pressure requirements
4. Storage requirements
5. Requirements for air cleanliness
6. Acceptable humidity levels to reduce corrosion and sticky operation
7. Lubrication requirements, if necessary
8. Temperature of the air and effects on the system
9. Line sizes and valve sizes to meet demand
10. Material selection to meet environmental and system requirements
11. Drainage points and exhaust outlets in the distribution system
12. Layout of the distribution system to meet demand.
Pneumatic Circuit Diagram symbols