pneumatic controls
INTRODUCTION
1 INTRODUCTION
A fluid power system is one that transmits and controls energy through the use of pressurised liquid or gas.
In Pneumatics, this power is air. This of course comes from the atmosphere and is reduced in volume by compression thus increasing its pressure.
Compressed air is mainly used to do work by acting on a piston or vane.
While this energy can be used in many facets of industry, the field of Industrial Pneumatics is considered here.
The correct use of pneumatic control requires an adequate knowledge of pneumatic components and their function to ensure their integration into an efficient working system.
Although electronic control using a programmable sequencer or other logic controller is currently specified it is still necessary to know the function of the pneumatic components in this type of system.
This book deals with the technology of the components in control systems, describing types and design features of air treatment equipment, actuators and valves, methods of interconnection and introduces the basic pneumatic circuits. What can Pneumatics do?
The applications for compressed air are limitless, from the optician’s gentle use of low pressure air to test fluid pressure in the human eyeball, the multiplicity of linear and rotary motions on robotic process machines, to the high forces required for pneumatic presses and concrete breaking pneumatic drills.
The short list below serves only to indicate the versatility and variety of pneumatic control at work, in a continuously expanding industry.
• Operation of system valves for air, water or chemicals
• Operation of heavy or hot doors
• Unloading of hoppers in building, steel making, mining and chemical industries
• Ramming and tamping in concrete and tarmacadam laying
• Lifting and moving in slab moulding machines
• Crop spraying and operation of other tractor equipment
• Spray painting
• Holding and moving in wood working and furniture making
•
1 INTRODUCTION
A fluid power system is one that transmits and controls energy through the use of pressurised liquid or gas.
In Pneumatics, this power is air. This of course comes from the atmosphere and is reduced in volume by compression thus increasing its pressure.
Compressed air is mainly used to do work by acting on a piston or vane.
While this energy can be used in many facets of industry, the field of Industrial Pneumatics is considered here.
The correct use of pneumatic control requires an adequate knowledge of pneumatic components and their function to ensure their integration into an efficient working system.
Although electronic control using a programmable sequencer or other logic controller is currently specified it is still necessary to know the function of the pneumatic components in this type of system.
This book deals with the technology of the components in control systems, describing types and design features of air treatment equipment, actuators and valves, methods of interconnection and introduces the basic pneumatic circuits. What can Pneumatics do?
The applications for compressed air are limitless, from the optician’s gentle use of low pressure air to test fluid pressure in the human eyeball, the multiplicity of linear and rotary motions on robotic process machines, to the high forces required for pneumatic presses and concrete breaking pneumatic drills.
The short list below serves only to indicate the versatility and variety of pneumatic control at work, in a continuously expanding industry.
• Operation of system valves for air, water or chemicals
• Operation of heavy or hot doors
• Unloading of hoppers in building, steel making, mining and chemical industries
• Ramming and tamping in concrete and tarmacadam laying
• Lifting and moving in slab moulding machines
• Crop spraying and operation of other tractor equipment
• Spray painting
• Holding and moving in wood working and furniture making
•