AGMC 2313: Sensors and Actuators Rev: 0

LAB 3: PNEUMATIC CONTROL

PRACTICAL

LAB 3: PNEUMATIC CONTROL

PRACTICAL

Format for write up report

Title: Introduction to Pneumatic Control System

Objective: To apply pneumatic control principles in simulated scenarios
Theory: Draw out the diagram of all the components used. Refer to “SMC Industrial
Automation Learning System”

Procedure:
1.
2. List Down the steps taken to solve given scenarios
3. from exercise 1 to exercise 6
4.

Results:

Magazine Feeder
Observation, Photos of the apply solution to the scenario and pneumatic circuit diagram.

Heavy Fire Door

Etc…..as above

Dump Hopper
Etc…..as above

Workpiece Feeding
Etc…..as above

Rotary Indexing Table

Etc…..as above

Roof Window Control

Etc…..as above

Conclusion

Page 1 of 66
Tunku Abdul Rahman University Faculty of Engineering and Technology
College
Title: Introduction to Pneumatic Control System
Objective: To apply pneumatic control principles in simulated scenarios
Exercise 1: Magazine Feeder

Theory:
A single acting cylinder works with compressed air to actuate the piston in one direction
and spring force to return to the base position. Work can be performed in the air driven
direction. The cylinder has one port that is used to both supply and vent compressed air.

Figure 1 – Diagram of All Component

Apparatus:

 3/2 way Normally Closed Spring Return Valve with Green Color Push Button.
 Single-Acting Cylinder with Piston Diameter:20mm and Stroke Length:50mm.
 Pneumatic Power Supply
 Rubber Tube

Figure 2 – Magazine Feeder

Procedure:

1. Make sure that the green button and single-acting cylinder is locked.
2. The pressure supply port of the normally closed spring return valve with green color push
button is connected to the pneumatic power supply or pressure supply by a rubber tube.
3. The other pressure supply port of the green color push button is connected to the single-
acting cylinder.
4. The green push button is pressed and the single-acting cylinder is observed.
Result:

Input Output
Green Push Button Piston of Single-Acting Cylinder
Pushed Extend
Not Pushed No extend and retract

Figure 3 – Button is Not Pushed

Figure 4 – Button Not Pushed

Discussion:

When the green push button is pressed, the valve is opened and letting air flows form inlet to
outlet, and from the outlet to single-acting cylinder valve which allow the pistons to be pushed or
extended. When the green push button is not pressed, air flows from the outlet to the exhaust, the
single-acting cylinder is not supplied with air flows. Thus, the piston is not extended.

Conclusion:

Single acting cylinders have one input air inlet, producing power stroke in one direction only. The
pressurized air forces the piston rod out and when the air supply is removed, the air inside the
cylinder is allowed to escape. Hence, the piston rod moves back by the force of the spring.
Title: Introduction to Pneumatic Control System
Objective: To apply pneumatic control principles in simulated scenarios
Exercise 2: Heavy Fire Door

Theory:
A double acting hydraulic cylinder requires hoses for each of its ports. When the hydraulic
fluid is pumped into one of the ports the piston rod extends and pushes hydraulic fluid out
through the other port. When the operation is reversed the piston retracts.

Figure 5 – Diagram of All Component

Apparatus:

 5/2way valve with Detent Twist Selector.

 Double-Acting Cylinder with Piston Diameter:20mm and Stroke Length:100mm.
 Pneumatic Power Supply
 Rubber Tube

Figure 6 – Heavy Fire Door

Procedure:

1. Make sure that the Detent Twist Selector and double-acting cylinder is locked.
2. The pressure supply port of the 5/2way valve with Detent Twist Selector is connected to
the pneumatic power supply or pressure supply by a rubber tube.
3. The other pressure supply port of the Detent Twist Selector is connected to the double-
acting cylinder.
4. The Detent Twist Selector is turned on and the single-acting cylinder is observed.

Result:

Input Output
Detent Twist Selector Piston of Double-Acting Cylinder
Turned On Extend
Turned Off No extend and retract

Figure 6 – Selector is turned off

Figure 7- Selector is turned on

Discussion:

When the Detent Twist Selector is turned on, air is supplied to chambers on both sides of the
piston of double-acting cylinder, higher air pressure on one side can drive the piston to the other
side. When the Detent Twist Selector is turned off, higher air pressure on the other side can drive
the piston to the other side.

Conclusion:

A double-acting cylinder is a cylinder in which the working fluid acts alternately on both sides of
the piston. In order to connect the piston in a double-acting cylinder to an external mechanism,
such as a crank shaft, a hole must be provided in one end of the cylinder for the piston rod, and
this is fitted with a gland to prevent escape of the working fluid.
Title: Introduction to Pneumatic Control System
Objective: To apply pneumatic control principles in simulated scenarios
Exercise 3: Dump Hopper

Theory:
A double acting hydraulic cylinder requires hoses for each of its ports. When the hydraulic fluid is
pumped into one of the ports the piston rod extends and pushes hydraulic fluid out through the
other port. When the operation is reversed the piston retracts.

Figure 8 - Diagram of All Component

Apparatus:

 3/2 way normally closed spring return value with green color push button.
 3/2 way normally closed spring return value with red color push button.
 5/2 way double air-operated value with individual supply pressure.
 Double-Acting Cylinder with Piston Diameter:20mm and Stroke Length:100mm.
 Pneumatic Power Supply
 Rubber Tube

Figure 9 - Dump Hopper

Procedure:

1. Make sure that the closed spring return valve with green push button, normally closed
spring return value with red color push button, double-acting cylinder is locked and
double air-operated value with individual supply pressure.
2. The pressure supply port of the normally closed spring return valve with green color push
button and normally closed spring return value with red color push button is connected to
the double air-operated value with individual supply pressure.
3. The other pressure supply port of the green color push button and normally closed spring
return value with red color push button is connected double air-operated value with
individual supply pressure.
4. Double air-operated value with individual supply pressure is connected to the pneumatic
power supply or pressure supply by a rubber tube.
5. The green and red push button is pressed and the double-acting cylinder is observed.

Result:

Input Output
Green Push Button Red Push Button Piston of Double-Acting Cylinder
Pushed Not Pushed Extend
Not Pushed Pushed No extend and retract

Figure 10 – Green Push Button is Pushed

Figure 11– Red Push Button is Pushed

Discussion:
At the Double air-operated value with individual supply pressure, its bi-stable the pressure which
supply to the double-acting cylinder, trapping pressure inside it, therefore the push button valves
only need to be pulsed. When green push button is pressed, the double air-operated valve allows
air follow inside the double-acting cylinder, thus the pressure is higher on one side, pushing the
piston forward. When red push button is pressed, the pressure is higher on the other side, thus
piston is not pushing forward.

Conclusion:
3/2-way valves are suitable for blow off, pressure release and vacuum applications. In most cases
externally piloted or direct actuated valves are necessary because they do not require a minimum
pressure differential.

Exercise 4: Workpiece Feeding

In a production process, workpieces are to be fed into a jig from a gravity magazine by using a
double acting cylinder as shown in Figure 3.4. Feeding takes place when a push button is
pressed, and return automatically to its start position after the workpiece has reached the jig
position.
Figure 3.4
Exercise 5: Rotary Indexing Table

Using a rotary indexing table, parts are to be indexed out in sequence to next operation as
shown in Figure 3.5. By pressing a start push button, the rotary table is indexed by the
oscillating piston rod of a cylinder via a stop pawl(continuously non stop). When the stop push
button is pressed, this drive is switched off.

Welding System

Figure 3.5
Exercise 6: Roof Window Control

In a production plant, a pneumatically actuated window is mounted at the roof to control the
ventilation as shown in Figure 3.6. The opening or closing of these window is controlled by push
buttons. It must be possible to stop the window in any intermediate position, Eg: quarter, half or
fully open. A visual indicator is to show the fully closed position.

Figure 3.6