Pneumatics in Robotics Basics

Pneumatic Advantages

Fluid power technology encompasses both hydraulics and pneumatics. Hydraulic applications use pressurized fluids, mostly oil, while pneumatic applications use pressurized gases, mostly air. Mobile construction equipment uses a hydraulic pump mounted on the engine. The outlet of the pump is plumbed to a set of valves. Each valve is then plumbed to a cylinder. This allows you to distribute power from the engine all around the equipment. The same is true for a robot.
Once you install the compressor operating one valve and cylinder combination, you’ve done most of the work. To add an additional valve and cylinder combination, you just tee into the pressure line and add in the additional
circuit.

 Weight - Compare the weight of several valves and cylinders to that of the motors, gears, belts and chains used on some lift mechanisms and you will find the weight comparable, if not much lighter.

 Simple to Design - Using pneumatics is much easier than building a motor; gear, chain and sprocket lift mechanism. Once you have reviewed the layout in Appendix A, you will find it very easy to build a circuit.

 Adjustable Force - To adjust the force of the cylinder, all you have to do is adjust the regulator in front of it. The force is equal to the area of the cylinder piston times the pressure. Remember that the valves need at a minimum of 15 – 30 psi to work properly.

 Durable - All of us have problems burning up motors from time to time. You can stall an air cylinder against a load indefinitely and turn off the compressor. The materials provided are industrial grade products.

 Strong - If you look at the force table in Appendix B, you have the option of using a small 0.75” bore cylinder at 20psi, a medium cylinder at 1.5”, or a large 2” cylinder. By varying the pressure to the cylinders, you can produce a force from 9 pounds up to 180 pounds, depending on yourneeds.

 Custom Cylinders and a Rotary Actuator - You can order the cylinder you need for the job.The Cylinders and actuators can be added to the Robot later.

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