J4011 PNEUMATIC & HIDRAULIC Pneumatics Theory

JABATAN KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL POLITEKNIK UNGKU OMAR Rusmay Bin Abdullah

1.0 Pneumatics Theory

A fluid power system is one that transmits and

control energy through the use of pressurized liquid or gas. In Pneumatics, this power is air. This of course from the atmosphere and is reduced in volume by compression, thus increasing its pressure. Compressed air mainly used to do work by acting on a piston or vane. 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.

1.1 What Can Pneumatics do?

Operation of heavy or hot doors.

Unloading of hoppers in building, steel making,

mining and chemical industries. Forming operations of bending, drawing and flattening. Bottling and filling machines. Pneumatic robots. Component and material conveyor transfer. Air separation and vacuum lifting of thin sheets.

 Figure 1.0 show the application of pneumatic

component at chip bonding process which consists of a vacuum unit.

Figure 1.0: Chip Bonding.

1.2 The Advantages and Limitations of Pneumatic

It has several operation modes; can be fully

automated, manually operated and semi automated mode. It is clean, suitable for several processes which are very sensitive, especially for hazardous chemicals and electronic components. The equipments are very cheap compared to other methods. The accuracy of the end results is moderate. Reduce production time and cost mass production. There is no other waste produced from the operating system except air. Compress is relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuation. This ensures reliable operation, even under extreme condition (depend on protection

However, pneumatic technology also has their own limitations. Listed below are the limitations of pneumatic technology:
Only clean air with lowest humidity is allowed to be in

pneumatic system. So, compress air need good preparation to filter any kind of dirt and condensate. It is seldom to get uniform and constant piston speed with compressed air. It has the limitation in producing the output force. It is suitable for non-heavy duty purpose. The exhaust air is very noisy. Compressed air is very expensive in terms of conveying the power but the high price is remunerated by the cheap pneumatic equipments, fast and efficient production.

1.3 The Basic of Pneumatic System

Pneumatic cylinders, rotary actuators and air

motors provide the force and movement of most pneumatic control systems to hold, move, form and process material. To operate and control these actuators, other pneumatic components are required i.e. air service units to prepare the compressed air and valves to control the pressure, flow and direction of movement of the actuators.

 The block diagram of a basic pneumatic system,

shown in Fig 1.1, consists of two main sections:

 The Air Production and Distribution System 1) Compressor: Air taken in at atmospheric pressure is

compressed and delivered at higher pressure to the pneumatic system. It thus transforms mechanical energy into pneumatic energy. 2) Air Tank: Stores the compressed air. 3) Refrigerated Air Dryer: Cools the compressed air to a few degrees above freezing point and condenses most of the air humidity. 4) Line Filter: It helps to keep the line free from dust, water and oil. The Air Consuming System 1) Air Service Unit. 2) Directional Valve: Alternatively pressurizes and exhaust the cylinder connections to control the direction of movement. 3) Speed Controllers: Allows easy speed adjustment of the actuator movement. 4) Actuator.