Symbols

Pneumatic symbols are used to describe the function of the various valves and other devices
which are connected together to form circuits and sub circuits.

Pneumatically controlled devices use pneumatic valves to control and direct the air and enable
operations such as lifting, moving, pressing, etc.

Symbols for valves are shown as boxes representing the different operating positions - the
symbol shown for example is based on two boxes so it is a two position, or 2-stage, valve.
Looking at any one of the boxes gives an indication of the number of ports on the valve - in this
case there are 2 ports in each box (i.e. at centre top and bottom) so it would be a 2-port, 2-stage
valve (2/2 Valve) - i.e. it has 2 ports and 2 operating states or positions that the valve can be
in (i.e. Input and Output : Open or Closed).

In the left-hand box, the arrow indicates that both ports are open and air would be allowed to
pass through the valve in this position. In the right-hand box, the same two ports are shown as
blocked. In this position, air is not allowed to pass. Ports are where pipe can be connected and
have numbers which, if they comply with standard ISO 5599, are stamped onto the casing of the
valves as follows :

The Main Air input is supplied from a compressor or similar

Port 1 : device and distributed through a manifold. Main air is
Main Air
identified by this symbol :

Where connections are made to other components, usually

Port 2 : cylinders. On five-port valves, used with Double-Acting
Output Cylinders, it is usually connected to instroke and Port 4 is
Connection
usually connected to outstroke is identified by this symbol:

Port 3 : This port allows air trapped in the circuit to escape to

Exhaust atmosphere or exhaust. Also, cylinders need the air on the
other side of the piston to escape. Five-port valves, for use
 with Double-Acting Cylinders, have a second Exhaust Port
5. Exhaust outlets are identified by this symbol :

A 3/2 valve gets its name because it has three ports and two states as follows :

The main air supply through the valve is blocked and so air is
State 1 – unable to reach other components, such as cylinders.
off/unactuated However, any air within the cylinder is able to exhaust
state : through the valve and this will allow the cylinder to return to
its original position.

The main air supply is able to flow freely through the valve
State 2 –
and supply components, such as cylinders, with air. A three-
on/actuated
port valve symbol shows both states side by side and is
state :
usually drawn in the off or unactuated state.

Air Supply and Distribution

Component Name and Description Symbol

The symbol shown is that for the Main

Air Supply which is normally supplied by
Compresso
a compressor. High pressure air can be
r
produced using piston, screw or
vane compressors.

Receiver The air produced by the compressor is

stored in a vessel called
the receiver or reservoir. The function
of the receiver is to store the air for
future use, to smooth uneven pressure
and to allow water to fall out of the air to
the bottom of the tank where it can be
 drained.

Filters are used to remove small

particles from the air which, if allowed to
Filter
remain, would block small ports and jam
spools etc.

Compressors produce air at a higher

pressure than is normally required to
overcome losses in the distribution
system. A pressure regulator is used to
lower the pressure for the system
Regulator components. A pilot signal (the dotted
line on the right-hand side of the
symbol) monitors the output pressure of
the valve. This pilot pressure acts
against a spring which is used to set the
pressure.

This enables several components to be

connected to the compressed air source
Manifold
and provides a means of switching
circuits on and off.

This is simply an open pipe that allows

the air in the circuit to escape once
Air Bleed
pressure is reduced by a diaphragm
valve.

Air Pipes The air produced by the

Connecte compressor is distributed
d by air lines or pipe-work
to the points where it is
required. The lines or
 pipe can be connected
together using 'T' pieces.

Air Pipes In a factory the pipe-work

Not is run downhill in a further
Connecte attempt to remove excess
d water from the system.

Component Name and Description Symbol

This valve shows 3 ports in each box

and 2 boxes to indicate it has 2
stages of operation - hence 3-2
3-2 Valve
Valve. Single-acting cylinders are
normally controlled by three-port
valves

This valve shows 5 ports in each box

and 2 boxes to indicate it has 2
stages of operation - hence 5-2
Valve. Double-acting cylinders are
5-2 Valve normally controlled by a 5-port valve
which is operated by Pilot Air signals
from two three-port valves causing
a spool inside the valve to move to
one side or the other.

The symbol shown is used to indicate

when compressed air is released to
Exhaust
the atmosphere - e.g. following the
operation of a valve.
 These control the speed of cylinder
operation by restricting the flow of
compressed air. This symbol shows
Unidirectional the inclusion of a restrictor and
Flow Control a check valve, or non-return valve,
used such that air is restricted from
left to right and will free flow only from
right to left.

This symbol omits the check valve to

2-way Flow
indicate that the air is able to flow in
Control
either direction

This symbol omits both the check

valve and the variable arrow to
Fixed Value
indicate that the air is able to flow in
Flow Control
either direction with pressure lowered
to a set value.

Pneumatic Logic

Component Name and Description Symbol

These are used with two valves

in parallel and are also known
as ‘OR’ valves. They allow a signal to pass
through from either input A or B (or both) and
Shuttle
will allow the reverse flow of system exhaust
Valve
through these same inputs. A shuttle valve
selects the higher of two pressures by means
of a small ball inside which gets blown from
side to side.
 This valve can be used to logically decide if
there is move than one signal present on the
inputs. It can be used to determine if a part is
AND
in position ‘AND’ a guard is down before
Valve
performing a clamping operation for example.
The same logic ‘AND’ function can be
achieved by combining two in series.

Actuators

Component Name and Description Symbol

These are capable of

detecting small
changes in air
pressure. The
diaphragm is a
stretched piece of
Diaphragm rubber which expands
Actuator and contracts with the
changing air pressure
of a Pilot Air signal
from an Air Bleed, for
example, and acts on
the valve to change
its state

Pilot signals can be used to operate a

switch or actuator by monitoring the
output pressure of a valve for example
Pilot
and supply a pressure which acts against
Air
a regulator spring to set the working
pressure or to operate the spool inside a
5 port valve.
 Solenoids uses an electrical pulse to
Solen change the state of the valve. This allows
oid pneumatics to be combined with electrical
Actua or electronic systems involving computer
tor or progammable logic control (PLC) if
required.

Control valves require Push

switching in some way and Button
there are many ways of
actuating the them. Lever
Solenoids and pilots are
are switched indirectly
from some other source :
electrically in the case of Roller
a solenoid (by PLC for
example) or by another
valve in the case of
a Pilot Air.
Solenoids and Pilot Air
are common methods of
operation but valve
actuation can be
achieved most simply by
a mechanical operation.
Mechanical Plunger
Actuators include push
buttons, levers, rollers,
and plungers. They are
methods used for
manual operation and
shown illustrated are the
actuator symbols.

Pneumatic Cylinders (or Linear Actuators)

Component Name and Description Symbol

Single- Pneumatic cylinders are more accurately

acting termed linear actuators. In a single-acting
Cylinde cylinder, compressed air is used to push the
 piston out (outstroke), and a spring to return
it (instroke). When compressed air is
r supplied to the cylinder, the piston rod
extends. A single-acting cylinder is normally
controlled by a three-port valve.

Double-acting cylinders use compressed air

for the outstroke and also for the instroke by
Double-
reversing the air flow direction which is
acting
achieved using a five-port valve. They can
Cylinde
produce bigger forces and are used more
r
than single-acting cylnders. They can be used
for both pushing and pulling.