Basic Pneumatics

Module 3
Direct control of double acting cylinder
Indirect control of double acting cylinder

PREPARED BY

IAT Curriculum Unit

August 2011
Institute of Applied Technology, 2011

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Control of a double acting cylinder

Module Objectives
Upon the completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Control of the double acting cylinder directly using 5/2 way valve,
selector switch
2. Control of double acting cylinder indirectly with 5/2 way valve,
single pilot
3. Draw symbol of double acting cylinder and 5/2 way valve.
4. Identify the function and the use of 5/2 way valve and double acting
cylinder
5. Construct a complete circuit diagram of controlling double acting
cylinder directly and indirectly.
6. Check the circuit operation and troubleshot any malfunctions.
7. Simulate the circuit diagram using FluidSIM software.

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Module Contents
1

Double acting cylinder.. ...............................................................5

1.1
1.2
1.3

5/2 way valve, selector switch ................................................7

2.1
.2

Practical task-1.. ..........................................................................8

Task procedure... .........................................................................8

Indirect control of double acting cylinder ...................................9

4.1
4.2

Before actuation... .......................................................................7

After actuation.............................................................................7

Direct control of double acting cylinder ......................................8

3.1
3.2

Comparision between single and double acting cylinder .................5

Function of double acting cylinder ...............................................6
Way of operation ......................................................................6
1.3.1 Forward stroke .................................................................6
1.3.2 Backward stroke ...............................................................6

5/2 way valve single pilot operated .............................................9

5/2 way valve double pilot operated ......................................... 10

Practical Task 2: Stopping milk bottles Error! Bookmark not defined.11

5.1
5.2
5.3

Learning objectives.. .................................................................. 11

Task description......................................................................... 11
Task requirements.. ................................................................... 11

References .........................................................................................13

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

1

Double acting cylinder

Double acting cylinder is considered to be as a main actuator in any

pneumatic systems. Double acting cylinders are more expensive than
single acting cylinders, but double acting cylinders are superior to single
acting cylinders by any other important measure. Double action cylinders
are faster and stronger. In industrial applications, single action cylinders
are used if possible, but when speed and force are important double
acting cylinders are employed. Applications include opening and closing
doors, taking things off conveyor belts and putting things on conveyor
belts. They are also used for lifting and moving packages around as well
as for presses and punches.
1.1

Comparison between single acting cylinder and double acting

cylinder

Serial

Single acting cylinder

Double acting cylinder

It has one port

It has two ports

It has a spring

It has no spring

It exerts work in one

It exerts work in two directions

direction only

(forward and backward)

It uses compressed air in

4

the forward stroke while

It uses compressed air in both

the return stroke is

strokes forward and backward.

achieved by the spring

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

1.2

Function of the double acting

cylinder
Double acting cylinder is an output device
that converts the pressure energy to a
mechanical energy (linear motion). The
double acting cylinder is shown in Figure
(3.1.a)

(a) Double acting

cylinder

The ISO symbol of the double acting

cylinder is shown in Figure (3.1.b)
1.3 Way of operation
Double acting cylinder as mentioned has
two ports and the air is applied in both
directions (forward and backward)
1.3.1

(b) ISO symbol of

double acting cylinder

Forward (advanced) stroke

The air is supplied to port (1) and the

exhaust air is forced out through port (2)
as illustrated in Figure (3.1.c)
1.3.2

Backward (return) stroke:

The air is supplied to port (2) and the

exhaust air is forced out through port (1)

(c) Double acting cylinder

advanced stroke

as illustrated in Figure (3.1.d)

Note:

The force produced by the piston

during the advance stroke is greater than

the force produced during the return
stroke due to the area difference between
the two sides of the piston.

(d) Double acting cylinder return

stroke

You may refer back to module 2 in basic

hydraulic for more details
Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

Figure 3.1
5

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

2 - 5/2 way directional control valve
with selector switch
This valve contains 5 ports and 2 positions.
The two positions are: before actuation and
after

actuation.

Figure

(3.2.a)

shows

the

picture of 5/2 way valve, selector switch.

In addition to the manual actuation (selector)
there are some other types of actuations:
o Pressure

actuation

(single

pilot

(a)
5/2 way valve
with selector switch

and

double pilot).
o Electrical actuation (solenoid)
2.1

Before actuated

When the 5/2-way valve is not actuated, the

flow will be from port (1) to port (2) while the

(b) Initial position (before

actuation)

exhaust will be from port (4) to port (5) as

illustrated in Figure (3.2.b)
The link below shows some details about 5/2
way valve
http://dtzone.com/systems/pneu_valves.htm
2.2

(c) Second position (after

actuation)

After actuation

Turning the selector switch on operates the

valve and holds the operating position. In this
case, the flow will be from port (1) to port (4)
while the exhaust will be from port (2) to port
(3) as illustrated in Figure (3.2.c)
The ISO symbol of 5/2 way valve with a
selector switch is shown in Figure (3.2.d)

(d) ISO symbol of 5/2 way

valve
with selector switch
Figure (3.2)

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Direct control of double acting

cylinder

using

5/2

way

valve,

manually actuation.
3.1 Practical Task 1
In this task, the cylinder is actuated
directly via a manually or mechanically
actuated

valve,

without

any

intermediate
switching

of

additional

directional

control valves as shown in Figure (3.3)

Required components:
o Double acting cylinder
o 5/2 way valve, selector switch
o Pressure supply
3.2 Task procedures.
1- Prepare the components according to
components list.
2- Mount all components according to

Fig. 3.3 Pneumatic circuit

diagram

Pneumatic circuit.
3- Check all parts are connected properly
with each other.
4- Switch on the service unit.
5- Start the circuit.
6- Check the operation of the circuit by
actuating 5/2 way valve
7-Troubleshoot

the

circuit

for

any

malfunction
8- Turn off the service unit
9- Dismantle and tidy up.
Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

10- simulate the circuit using FuidSIM
4

Indirect control of double acting

cylinder
Cylinders with large piston diameters
have high air consumption rates. Control
elements with high nominal flow rates
must be used to actuate them. In this
case,

the

indirect

control

is

recommended. Thus, the signal which is

generated

by

the

smaller

valve

will

provide the force required in order to

switch the main control element. To
achieve the indirect control, a single
and/or double pilot valves will be required
4.1 5/2 way valve single pilot

(a) 5/2 way valve single pilot

operated

operated
The function of this valve is differ from
the

previous

valve

(5/2

way

valve,

selector switch) in the actuation mode

only.

5/2

way

valve

single

pilot

is

actuated by a pneumatic signal with low

pressure. The built-in spring is used to
reset the valve to its initial position
(before actuation). Figure (3.4.a) shows
the picture of 5/2 way valve, single pilot,
where

Figure

(3.4.b)

shows

its

(b) I.S.O. for 5/2 way valve

Single pilot operated
Figure 3.4

ISO

symbol

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

4.2

5/2-way

valve

double

pilot

valve
5/2 way valve, double pilot actuated is
controlled by applying reciprocal pilot
(low pressure) signal at the port 14 (the
flow passes from 1 to 4) and port 12 (the
flow in this case passes from 1 to 2). The
valve

operating

unchanged

until

position
an

opposite

remains
signal

(a) 5/2 way valve double pilot

operated

received by the valve. Sometimes, this

valve is called memory valve as it
maintains the last operated position. ).
Figure (3.5.a) shows the picture of 5/2
way valve, double pilot, where Figure
(3.5.b) shows its ISO symbol

(b) I.S.O. for 5/2 way valve

double pilot operated
Figure 3.5

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

5 Practical Task 2: Stopping milk bottles

5.1

Learning objectives:

Upon the completion of this task, the students will be

o

able to explain and setup indirect control.

familiar with the mode of operation of a 5/2 way-valve with

pneumatic actuation.

o familiar with the difference between signaling element and a control

element.
5.2

Task description:

A filling system fills bottles with milk. The bottles are fed to the system on
a conveyor belt and are stopped underneath the filler using pneumatic
cylinders. The double acting cylinder 1A1 (due to its large size) has to be
controlled indirectly. Figure (3.6) shows the positional sketch of this
machine

Figure (3.6) Positional sketch

10

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

5.3

Task requirements:

1. Draw pneumatic circuit that controls the double acting cylinder

(1A1) indirectly. You may use the provided space below.
2. Simulate the circuit using FluidSim software.
3. Assemble the circuit practically and check its operation.
4. Write down your observation below
Draw the pneumatic circuit here

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

11

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

References:
1- Festo manuals and workbook TP501
2- www. Fest-didactic.com
Worksheet 1
Describe double acting cylinder and draw its ISO symbol

What is the function of the 5/2 way valve with selector switch?

..

Describe the 5/2 way valve single pilot operated & draw its ISO symbol

What is the function of the 5/2 way valve single pilot operated?

...

12

Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Worksheet 2
Draw pneumatic circuit with following conditions:
1-Double acting cylinder will extend when 3/2 way valve is actuated
(Keep pressing)
2-The double acting cylinder will retract when push button is released.
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Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder

13

ATM 1112 Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Students notes
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Module 3: Direct and indirect control of double acting cylinder