COURSE PHILOSOPHY
This course is the third in a series of four courses which prepare
students for certification as a
Siemens Certified Mechatronic Systems Assistant
The job profile for which the Level 1 certification prepares
students is that of a machine operator, who has a well-rounded
understanding of the complex inter-relationships and inter-
workings of a mechatronic system
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems Dr. Saleh Ahamd 1
INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATICS
What is a pneumatic system?
Advantages of pneumatic systems
Leaks will not cause spills of toxic chemicals
Pneumatic machines tend to be very simple
Compressed air is always available, even when
electricity goes out
Present very little fire hazard
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INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATICS …
A fluid power system is one that transmits and
controls energy through the use of pressurized liquid
or gas. In Pneumatics, this power is air which 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
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WHAT CAN PNEUMATICS DO?
Operation of system valves for air, water or
chemicals
Operation of heavy or hot doors
Steel making, mining and chemical industries
Lifting and moving in slab moulding machines
Operation of tractor equipment
Spray painting
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WHAT CAN PNEUMATICS DO? …
Forming operations of bending, drawing and
flattening
Bottling and filling machines
Machine tool, work or tool feeding
Component and material conveyor transfer
Pneumatic robots
Dental drills and much more
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THE BASIC PNEUMATIC SYSTEM
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AIR GENERATION SYSTEM
The component parts and their main functions are:
1. Compressor : air taken in at atmospheric pressure is compressed and
delivered at a higher pressure to the pneumatic system. It thus transforms
mechanical energy into pneumatic energy
2. Electric Motor: supplies the mechanical power to the compressor. It
transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy
3. Pressure Switch: controls the electric motor by sensing the pressure in the
tank. It is set to a maximum pressure at which it stops the motor, and a
minimum pressure at which it restarts it
4. Check Valve: Lets the compressed air from the compressor into the tank
and prevents it leaking back when the compressor is stopped
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AIR GENERATION SYSTEM
5. Tank : stores the compressed air. It’s function is to stabilize
compressed air. A reservoir compensates the pressure
fluctuations when the compressed air is taken from the system.
If the pressure in the reservoir drops below a certain value, the
compressor will compensate until the set higher value is
reached again. This has the advantage that the compressor does
not need to operate continuously
6. Pressure Gauge: indicates the tank pressure
7. Auto Drain: drains all the water condensing in the tank without
supervision
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AIR GENERATION SYSTEM
8. Safety Valve: blows compressed air off if the pressure in the
tank should rise above the allowed pressure
9. Refrigerated Air Dryer: cools the compressed air to a few
degrees above freezing point and condenses most of the air
humidity. This avoids having water in the downstream
system
10. Line Filter: being in the main pipe, this filter must have a
minimal pressure drop and the capability of oil mist removal.
It helps to keep the line free from dust, water and oil
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THE AIR DISTRIBUTION & CONSUMPTION
SYSTEM
1. Air Take-off : for consumers, air is taken off from the top of the main
pipe to allow occasional condensate to stay in the main pipe, when it
reaches a low point a water take off from beneath the pipe will flow
into an Automatic Drain and the condensate will be removed
2. Auto Drain: every descending tube should have a drain at its lowest
point. The most efficient method is an Auto Drain which prevents
water from remaining in the pipeline
3. Air Service Unit: conditions the compressed air to provide clean air
at optimum pressure, and occasionally adds lubricant to extend the
life of those pneumatic system components which need lubrication
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THE AIR DISTRIBUTION & CONSUMPTION
SYSTEM
4. Directional Valve: alternately pressurizes and
exhausts the cylinder connections to control the
direction of movement
5. Actuator: transforms the potential energy of the
compressed air into mechanical work. Shown is a
linear cylinder; it can also be a rotary actuator
6. Speed Controllers: allow an easy and step-less
speed adjustment of the actuator movement
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PRESSURE LEVEL
As a rule, pneumatic components are designed for a
maximum operating pressure of 800 Kilopascal
(kPa) to 1000 kPa (8-10 bar)
Pressure losses of between 10 and 50 kPa (0.1 and
0.5 bar) must be expected due to the restrictions,
bends, leaks and pipe-runs, depending on the size of
the piping system and the method of layout
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PNEUMATIC AND ELECTROPNEUMATIC
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Pneumatic control
Valves
Sequencers
Air barriers
Electropneumatic control
Electrical input buttons
Proximity switches
Relays or a programmable logic controller
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PNEUMATIC
Signal flow and components of
pneumatic control system
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ELECTROPNE
UMATIC
Signal flow and components of
Electropneumatic control system
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ADVANTAGES OF ELECTROPNEUMATIC
CONTROLLERS
Higher reliability
Lower planning and commissioning effort
Lower installation effort
Simpler exchange of information between several
controllers
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The END
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