Industrial Uses of Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic systems are used in a variety of industries, serving several mechanical purposes. They are similar to hydraulic systems, except instead of using hydraulic fluid, they use compressed air. Compressed air is simply atmospheric air which has a compressed volume, and as a result, has increased pressure. This compressed air is used as a mechanical force to move around machine equipment and other tools in various assemblies and applications. Pneumatic systems are extremely useful in trucks, factory automation systems, medical applications, and other industries. Since pneumatic systems can effectively perform several tasks such as clamping, gripping, positioning, stacking, pressing, tensioning, and closed-loop control, learning more about their functioning and applications becomes paramount.  

Working Principle of Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic systems are systematically designed to utilize compressed air as a working medium, which is supplied constantly through air compressors to actuate machine components and assembly lines. The air compressors are designed to extract air from the surroundings to be stored within specialized high-pressure chambers called receivers. The compressed air is usually available at a pressure value of 6 kg/sqm or 8 kg/sqm, and it is transmitted through a series of pipes and valves. The overall force developed by pneumatic systems can be nearly 50 kn, a value that is sufficient to make valves and pistons move in the desired direction.  

Engineers design pneumatic systems to transmit power through a simple design strategy where linear and rotational movements are facilitated at differing speeds for the desired movement of components. Such a design strategy involves the pulling of air from the surroundings to ultimately move shafts and pistons. In such instances, pneumatics are used in lieu of electronic alternatives to minimize operational, maintenance, and upfront costs, thereby making pneumatic systems extremely cost-effective. Additionally, they can handle multiple flow and pressure requirements as suitable to the application, where the usage of incorrect components within these systems can affect their overall performance. Flow and pressure are different factors that have separate considerations associated with them, but both influence a pneumatic system’s functionality in combination. Where flow is the unit to describe the volume of compressed air that is being moved within a certain amount of time, pressure is the force applied per a given area. The system’s flow can be regulated by controlling the size of the hole through which air passes, while pressure is directly related to the force’s numerical value as well as is inversely related to the area on which it is applied. For example, at a constant flow rate, a large quantity of force applied on a small area is numerically the same as a small quantity of force on a large area.  

Benefits of Using Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic systems are beneficial to several industries because the input air they use is not restricted by the limitations of physical distance. Furthermore, since air is typically available in an unlimited supply and is easily compressible, pneumatic systems can act as effective shock absorbers while never running out of their source of power. In addition, pneumatic systems do not require any pre-release processing of compressed air after use, making them environmentally friendly and economically viable. Pneumatic systems are more reliable & durable than electromotive systems though produce less force as compared to hydraulic systems. Despite some limitations, their overall design features make them highly efficient for working with small loads. 

Although pneumatic systems are sustainable and cost effective, they should still be regularly monitored for leaks and corrosion to maintain air quality for their optimum use. Moisture, dust particles, oil droplets, and foreign objects can severely impact the quality of inlet air and damage sensitive machine components like seals and valves. Thus, to ensure the optimum usage of a pneumatic system, appropriate filtration systems should be installed to prolong its longevity and operational upkeep. 

Applications of Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic systems are suitable for a wide variety of applications due to the versatility of their design. In commercial vehicles, for example, engines often use sophisticated pneumatic systems. The unique ‘pick-and-place’ feature of vacuum devices finds application in the oil and natural gas sectors along with vacuum cups to handle fragile glassware, delicate items, and other products that need to be held or moved. In addition, pneumatic systems are used to hold objects in their place while processes such as crimping and cutting are underway. In any of these applications, the energy derived from the compressed air is converted into mechanical force that comes in the form of rotational or linear motion. 

Other popular sectors for pneumatic system use include life sciences, specifically aiding  medical equipment, as well as in the global rail industry where they are used for suspension and door control. However, it is in factory automation systems such as material handling and packaging that pneumatic systems are optimized to the fullest. Furthermore, factory machinery like paint sprayers and road drills for lodging metal chisels into a pathway also use pneumatic systems. 

To Conclude

If you are on the lookout for high end pneumatic systems for your unique needs, then Industrials Domain is exactly where you should be! Apart from pneumatic systems and their components, we at Industrials Domain are proud to host the latest fasteners, electronic components, and industrial automation equipment in our expansive inventory of over 2 billion parts. You can browse through our catalog of products by using relevant filters such as manufacturer, part number, and part type. We are extremely strict about our quality assurance protocol, and we go the extra mile to adhere to rigorous export compliance standards and our NO CHINA SOURCING policy. Once you decide to purchase from us, you can be assured that all our products undergo thorough inspections for quality, so you do not have to worry about buying inauthentic parts. You can get started by utilizing the Instant RFQ service on our website, and within 15 minutes of submitting a form, a dedicated account manager will reach out to you. You can also contact us through email or phone to seek guidance through our 24/7x365 customer assistance services. 

1. fred parker
2. Posted on June 1, 2022
pneumatics

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