Pneumatic Actuator

Introduction
Pneumatic uses compressed air to generate force and
motion.
Some industrial applications employing pneumatics are
listed bellow:
Packaging
Filling
Metering
Locking
Driving of axes
Door or chute control
Transfer of materials
Turning and inverting of parts
Sorting of parts
Stamping and embossing of components
Pneumatic advantages:
Air is available practically everywhere in unlimited quantities
Air can be easily transported in pipeline
Compressed air can be stored in a reservoir
Compressed air is relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuation
Compressed air offers no risk of explosion or fire
The operating components are of simple construction

Pneumatic disadvantages:
Compressed air requires good preparation, dirt and condensate should no be
present
Compressed air is economical only up to a certain force requirement
The exhaust air is loud
Component of a pneumatic system
Air generation and distribution

Air is compressed by the air compressor and delivered to an air distribution system.
To ensure the quality of the air is acceptable, air service equipment is utilized to prepare
the air before being applied to the control system.

The air service unit is a combination of the following:

Compressed air filter with water separator
Compressed air regulator
Compressed air lubricator

The compressed air filter has the job of removing all contaminants from the compressed
air flowing through it as well as water which has already condensed.
The purpose of the regulator is to keep the operating pressure of the system.
The purpose of the lubricator is to deliver a metered quantity of oil mist into a leg of the
air distribution system.
Valves

The function of valves is to control the pressure or flow rate of

presser media. Valves can be divided into the following
categories:
Directional control valve
Input/signaling element
Processing element
Control element
Non-return valve
Flow control valve
Pressure control valve
Shut-off valve

The directional controls valve controls the passage of air signals

by generating, canceling or redirecting signals.
The valve is described by:
Number of port or opening (ways): 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, etc.
Number of position: 2 positions, 3 positions etc.
Method of actuation: manually, mechanically, pneumatically,
electrically.
Method of return: spring return, air return etc.
The non-return valve allows a signal to flow through the
device in one direction and in the other direction blocks the
flow.
The non return valve in the form of a basic element of other
valve type shown in the illustration below.
The flow control valve restricts or throttles the air in
particular direction to reduce the flow rate of the air
and hence control the signal flow.
Pressure control valves are utilized in pneumatic system. There are three main groups:
Pressure limiting valve
Pressure regulating valve
Pressure sequence valve

The pressure limiting valves are utilized on the up-stream side of the compressor to
ensure the receiver pressure is limited, for safety and that the supply pressure to the
system is set to the correct pressure.

The pressure regulating valve keeps the pressure constant irrespective of any pressure
fluctuations in the system.

The pressure sequence valve is used if a pressure-dependent signal is required for the
advancing of a control system.
When the applied control signal reaches the set pressure, the 3/2-way valve
incorporated at this point is actuated. Conversely, the valve reverses, if the control
signal falls bellow the set pressure.

Pressure sequence valve

Power components

The power section consists of control

elements and power components or actuator.
Actuator can be further broken down into
groups;
Linear actuators:
Single-acting cylinder
Double-acting cylinder
Rotary actuators:
Air motors
Rotary actuators
Control of a single-acting cylinder

Control of a double-acting
cylinder
Symbol and description of components

Air supply and generation

Directional control valves
Method of actuation
Non-return valve

Flow control valve

Pressure valve
Linear actuator
Rotary actuator

Auxiliary symbols
Pneumatic system design

A single-acting cylinder to clamp a component.

A double-acting cylinder to extend