PNEUMATIC & HYDRAULIC

(DJJ5123)

Topic 2
Elements In Pneumatics Working
System
SUHANA AB MAJID
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
UNGKU OMAR POLYTECHNICS
 ACTUATOR
• An actuator is an output device for the
conversion of supply energy into useful work.

• The output signal is controlled by the control

system, and the actuator responds to the control
signals via the control element.

• Other types of output devices are used to

indicate the status of the control system or
actuators, e.g. a pneumatically actuated visual
display.
• The pneumatic actuator can be described
under two groups, linear and rotary.

• Linear motion
– Single-acting cylinders
– Double-acting cylinders

• Rotary actuator
– Types of rack and pinion
– Types of ram
– Air motor
 Single Acting Cylinder
• Compressed air is applied on only one side of
the piston face.

• The other side is open to atmosphere.

• Can produce work in only one direction.

• The return movement of the piston is effected

by a built-in spring or by the application of an
external force.
Component of Single Acting Cylinder
Component of Single Acting Cylinder
Single Acting Cylinder
 Double Acting Cylinder
• The construction principle of a double-acting
cylinder is similar to that of the single-acting
cylinder.
• However, there is no return spring.
• The two ports are used alternatively as supply
and exhaust ports.
• The double- acting cylinder has the advantage
that the cylinder is able to carry out work in both
directions of motion.
• The force transferred by the piston rod is
somewhat greater for the forward stroke than for
the return stroke as the effective piston surface is
reduced on the piston rod side by the cross-
sectional area of the piston rod.
Component of Double Acting Cylinder
Component of Double Acting Cylinder
Double Acting Cylinder
 Size of Cylinder
• The force exerted on a cylinder depends on
the diameter of the piston, the working
pressure and the frictional resistance of air.

• Theoretical calculations to determine the size

of a cylinder is based on the formula given:
Force (N) = Area of ​Cross Section Piston (m2) X Air pressure (N/m2)

OR

Force (N) = Area of ​Cross Section Piston (cm2) X Air Pressure (kgf/cm2)
• The force produced by double acting cylinder:
– During the expansion:
 D 2 
Fe    Pg
 4 
– During compression:

Fr 
4
D 2

 d 2 Pg

• The force produced by single acting cylinder:

– During the expansion:
D 2
Fe  P
g  Fs 
4
Hint: -
D = Diameter of piston (m or cm)
d = Diameter of piston rod (m or cm)
Pg = Pressure relief (bar)
Fs = Force at the end of spring stroke
 Cushions In Pneumatic Cylinders
• When the piston moves in the pneumatic
cylinder with a high speed, impact force
produced when the piston touching the
cylinder cover or lid rod at the end of each
stroke.
• Impact force can damage the piston or piston
rod.
• To avoid damage, cushions should be installed
on the cylinder at the front or rear (cylinder
cover).
Position of the valve cushions in pneumatic cylinders
• 2 types of cushions in pneumatic cylinder:
i. Air cushions
ii. Rubber type

• Cushions in pneumatic cylinders is a type of

rubber.

• Types of air cushions are commonly used for

the cylinder with a diameter exceeding 40 mm
and the design relies on the use of the
cylinder.
• Impact-absorbing rubber type is usually used
for small cylinder.

• Two ends of the piston and cylinder is fitted

with elastic material (elastic), such as rubber
to prevent the occurrence of the piston
impact.
Mounting of Cylinder
Direct Mount

Cylinder mounted directly to the front

surface of the rod.

Threaded Neck

Cylinder fitted with a locking nut that is on

the front cylinder.

Foot Mount

Cylinder is installed horizontally with two feet in

front of and behind the cylinder and is locked on
the site.
Mounting of Cylinder
Rear Flange

Key cylinder mounted on the back.

Front Flange

Key cylinder mounted on the front.

Rear Clevis

Cylinder mounted on the front of a joint that

can oscillate.

Trunnion

The hinge mounted on the center of the

cylinder to allow it to oscillate
 Special Cylinder
i) Twin Rod
 Have two parts of the rod.
 The cylinder will move to the left and right along
the rod.
 Cylinder is usually used to move the workpiece
to a greater distance.
 A plate-like table is placed and locked at the top
of the cylinder. The table will move along the
cylinder.
 Twin Rod

Mounting of Twin Rod

 Special Cylinder
ii) Lead Rod

It is designed with internal lubricant which will

ensure smooth movement over time.

It is made from the nut / bolt that has the

properties of high strength and stiffness.
 Special Cylinder
iii) Multi-Position Rod
Multi-position cylinder has two ends, fixed at
the position of the workpiece.

It can be used for operations involving double

acting cylinder or more.

For certain applications involving sensor

position, the cylinders are fitted with Reed
Switch Sensor SME / SMT
 Special Cylinder
iv) Locked Rod

This type of cylinder can be stopped at any

part along the cylinder rod and can be locked
in position.

Key mechanism may consist of springs, air

pressure, or both.
 Tandem Cylinder

*consists of two or more cylinders

*arranged one behind the other but designed as a
single unit
*used in applications that
require two or more independent systems;
(power-operated flight control systems
in naval aircraft)
 Rotary Actuator
• The rotary actuator transforms the power of compressed air into a
reversible rotary motion.
• The actuator has two pistons, connected to a rack.
• The linear motion created by introducing an air pressure to the
piston/rack assembly is transmitted through a pinion to create a
rotary motion.
• The rotation angle could reach and even overcome 360° depending
on the cylinder stroke and on the gear ratio.
• The chamber between the two pistons is connected to the
atmosphere, to avoid any trapped air from impeding any motion of
the actuator.
Component Picture
Construction of the component
 Rotated Actuator
There are 3 types of rotated actuator:

i. Types of rack and pinion:

 Output shaft has a pinion gear driven by a rack

which is connected by two pistons.

 The standard angle of rotation is 90o or 180o..

construction of the rack and pinion actuators
 Rotated Actuator
ii. Types of ram:

 Compressed air entering air hole

connected to the output shaft.

 Air openings protected from

leakage using protective rubber or
elastomeric coating.
 Procedure of Types of Ram

 Vane actuator
working principle is
that when the
compressed air
entering the air vent.

 The vane will be

pushed to rotate
while the shaft is
rotated to the desired
angle as shown by
the figure of 90˚, 180˚
or 270˚.
 Rotated Actuator
iii. Air Motor:
 Air motors are widely used in industrial
and automotive.

 Example: Used as a screwdriver, drilling

machine and grinding machine.

 Air motor produces a continuous output

torque to move the shaft.
• Benefits of air motor is as follows: -

-Easy to control the motor speed

-High torque
-Easy to control the direction of rotation
-Safe for use in flammable environments
• Air motors can be divided into five types as
follows: -
i. Ram motor
ii. Gear motor
iii. Piston motor
iv. Turbine motor
v. Centrifugal motor
 Special Actuator
• There are four types of actuators can be
categorized as a special actuator:

i. Rod Without Cylinder

ii. Slide Unit
iii. Hollowed Rod Cylinder
iv. Air Chuck
 1) Rod Without Cylinder
• There are two types of rod without cylinder:
a) magnetic connection
b) mechanical connection.

• A conventional cylinder which has length of 500

mm thrust, may require longer total thrust of
1100 mm.

• A cylinder without a rod with a length of the

same thrust requires only a length of about 600
mm.
• Thus, the cylinder without rod is the best choice
when faced with limited space but need a long
thrust.
Rod Without Cylinder
 2) Slide Unit
• Slide unit is a high precision linear actuator for
use in industrial production and construction
robots.

Construction of Slide Unit

 3) Hollowed Rod Cylinder
• Hollow cylinder actuator rod provides a direct
connection between the generation of
vacuum equipment and vacuum pads at the
end of the working rod.

• Hollow rod cylinders designed for use to take

and put (Pick and Place).
 Hollowed Rod Cylinder

Construction of Hollowed Rod Cylinder

 4) Air Chuck (Grasping)
• Air choke actuator is designed to hold the
components in the industry.

• It is widely used as a hand for a robot.

• Air choke has two pistons that serves to open

and close the jaw.
 Air Chuck

Construction of Air Chuck

Valve Component and Symbol

• is component that receive internal directions

which is in manual, mechanical, electric and
pneumatic form to release, stop or discharge
back through air flow.

• Pneumatic valve divided to 5 types:

a) Directional control valve
b) Non-return valve (check valve)
c) Flow control valve
d) Pressure control valve
e) Combination valve
THE METHOD OF PILOTING A VALVE

a) Manual
• press the equipment button by operator

Symbol
b) Mechanical
• Cylinder valve is moved by mechanical mechanism
such as roll switch and cylinder rod.

Symbol
c) Pneumatic
• Valve is moved by air compressed to move the position
of pipe air.

Symbol
d) Electrical
• Valve is moved by solenoid where discharge from
electric power.

Symbol
DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE
(DCV)

DCV are classified according to its design and

depending on its usage as below :

i. valve’s mechanism that controls the flow of air

ii. Position number 2 or 3. There is also a valve that
has more than 3 position . In certain cases, there
is also a valve that has 6 position
iii. Number of connection in the valve which is
connected to the flow in the valve is controlled by
a valve mechanism