Time delay

Sometimes in a circuit we want a pause or delay before something else happens. To

create a delay we need to use two components a unidirectional restrictor and a
reservoir.
A reservoir is simply an empty container, just like an empty bottle. The bigger the
reservoir, the longer it takes to fill up with air. To make the delay longer we use a
unidirectional restrictor in front of the reservoir. This slows down the air so that the
reservoir takes even longer to fill. The length of time it takes to fill creates the delay.

Air

Figure 60
We can change the length of a delay by changing the size of the reservoir or adjusting
the restrictor.
Time delays can be very useful in clamping operations when objects need to be held
in place by a cylinder for a specific amount of time to glue or set.

Figure 61
In this type of example the delay has to occur before the cylinder would instroke.
Study the circuit diagram.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

44

Figure 62
When the push button is pressed, the 5/2 valve changes state and the cylinder
outstrokes. As it outstrokes, it pushes the former together and the hot plastic sheet is
pressed into shape. As this happens it also actuates the roller. Air now flows through
the restrictor and starts to fill up the reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, the 5/2 valve
changes state and the cylinder instrokes, ready for the process to begin again.

45

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Assignment 11
1. Build and test the circuit shown.
(a) Adjust the restrictor to achieve a time delay of three seconds.
2. Sand is fed into a hopper from above. When the hopper is full, the operator
presses the button and a double-acting cylinder slides open the door. This lets the
sand fall into a wagon underneath. The operator now presses the other push
button, but there must be a short delay before the hopper door closes to ensure that
all the sand has emptied out. Study the circuit diagram.

Valve A

Valve B

Figure 63
(a) Which two components are needed to create a time delay?
(b) Insert these components into the circuit diagram. Build and test your solution
to ensure that it works properly.
(c) What other improvements would you make to this circuit?
3. Wonderful Worktops is a company that manufactures worktops for kitchens. The
worktops are made from Formica sheets glued onto chipboard. A pneumatically
controlled clamp holds down the glued sheet for 10 seconds before releasing it
automatically.

Figure 64
(a) Design a solution to this problem.
(b) Build and test your solution.
(c) Explain how the circuit operates.
Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

46

Air bleed
Sometimes with pneumatics we find that the actuators on valves can get in the way of
the circuit. Also, some actuators need a big force to make them work and this is not
always possible. There are different ways to overcome these problems and one of the
most common is to use an air bleed.
An air bleed is simply an open pipe that allows the air in the circuit to escape. This air
must be at a low pressure, otherwise the pipe would wave about and be dangerous.
Air bleed circuits rely on a component called a diaphragm valve. This valve is capable
of detecting small changes in air pressure. The valve works in the same way as other
3/2 valves; it is only the actuator that is new to us. The symbol is shown below.

Figure 65
The diaphragm is a piece of rubber stretched inside the valve. When air flows into the
top of the valve, the rubber expands much in the same way as when a balloon is
blown up. When the diaphragm expands, it presses down inside the valve and changes
its state.
The signal to the diaphragm comes from an air bleed. When the air bleed is blocked,
air is diverted back towards the diaphragm. This actuates the 3/2 valve and the
cylinder outstrokes. Notice that the airflow to the air bleed passes through a restrictor.
This slows down the air before it is allowed to escape.

Figure 66

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Assignment 12
1. The manufacturer of crystal ornaments wants to print a Fragile! warning on
every box before it leaves the factory. A simple pneumatic machine will stamp the
boxes, which vary in size and weight. The packages are not spaced regularly on
the conveyor belt and so the printing should only take place when a package is in
the correct position. A possible solution is shown.

Figure 67
(a) Build and test the circuit for printing the packages.
(b) Explain why an air bleed is used to sense the position of the boxes.
(c) Someone has noticed that the cylinder outstrokes so fast that there is a risk that
the small ornaments may be broken. Alter the circuit to slow down the
operation of the single-acting cylinder.
2. Crates containing cans of beans are moved to the dispatch area by a series of
conveyor belts. The crates are quite heavy and two single-acting cylinders are
needed to push the crates from one belt to another.

AIR BLEED

Figure 68
(a) Design a pneumatic circuit to solve this problem.
(b) Build and test your solution.
(c) Why is pneumatics often used in food production lines?
Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

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49

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Automatic circuits
Automatic circuits are commonly found on production lines. They help to speed up
production and make sure that the goods are all manufactured to the same standard.
There are two types of automatic circuit: semi-automatic and fully automatic.
Semi-automatic
A semi-automatic circuit is one that completes a process once it has been started,
usually by a human operator. We have come across semi-automatic circuits already in
the course. You should recognise the two circuits shown below.

Circuit 1

Circuit 2

Figure 69

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50

Fully automatic
A fully automatic circuit is one that continues to work, performing a task over and
over again. It does not stop or wait for input from an operator. These circuits make use
of actuators such as a roller trip and plunger to detect the position of the piston as it
instrokes and outstrokes.
Automatic circuits produce reciprocating motion. This is motion up and down like the
needle on a sewing machine. It can also be left and right, or forwards and backwards
along a straight line. We can represent reciprocating motion by arrows like these: For
example, a polishing machine requires the reciprocating motion of a double-acting
cylinder.

Figure 70

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Figure 71
The pneumatic circuit is shown below.
Valve A

Valve B

Y
Figure 72

As the piston instrokes, it trips valve A and the 5/2 valve changes state and the piston
is sent positive. When it is fully outstroked, it trips valve B and the 5/2 valve returns
to its original position, allowing the piston to instroke. The process begins all over
again and continues to operate.
Assignment 13
1. Build and test the circuit for the polishing machine.
(a) You should have noticed that the only way to stop the circuit is to turn off the
main air supply. It would be much better if we could use a lever-operated 3/2
valve to do this. It has been suggested that the valve be placed at either point X
or point Y. Try both positions and record what happens.
(b) Which position do you think is better and why?
(c) Why must a lever-operated 3/2 valve be used?
2. A small company that makes spice racks wants to automate some of its
production. To begin with, a drilling operation is to be controlled by a pneumatic
cylinder. An operator will start the sequence and then the drill will be lowered
automatically into the wood. Once the hole has been drilled to the correct depth,
the cylinder should automatically instroke ready for the process to start again.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

52

DEPTH STOP

ROLLER TRIP

DRILL

WORK PIECE

Figure 73
A layout of all the components needed is shown with the piping missing.

Figure 74
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

53

Complete the diagram.

Name each component.
Build and test your solution.
The cylinder outstrokes far too quickly and the drill bits keep breaking. Alter
the circuit so that the cylinder outstrokes slowly.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Sequential control
Many pneumatic systems and machines are designed to perform a range of tasks in a
certain order or sequence. This usually involves the use of two or more cylinders
working together to complete the task.
For example, a company has automated its production line that involves metal blocks
being placed in a furnace for heat treatment. One cylinder is used to open the furnace
door and another pushes the metal blocks into the furnace.

Figure 75
The sequence of operations for this process is as follows.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

An operator pushes a button to start the process.

The furnace door is opened.
The block is pushed into the furnace and the piston instrokes.
The furnace door is closed.
The sequence stops.

For this system to work successfully, we need to fully understand the order and
movement of cylinders A and B.
Stage 1
Cylinder A instrokes to raise the furnace door.
Stage 2
Cylinder B outstrokes and pushes the metal block into the furnace.
Stage 3
Cylinder B instrokes.
Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

54

Stage 4
Cylinder A outstrokes and closes the furnace door.
The pneumatic circuit that carries out this operation is shown below.

CYLINDER A

VALVE G
VALVE H

VALVE B

VALVE C
VALVE A

VALVE F
CYLINDER B

VALVE I

VALVE E

VALVE D
Figure 76

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

The system begins by actuating valve A. This changes the state of valve B and causes
cylinder A to instroke, raising the door. When fully instroked, or negative, the piston
trips valve C and this sends a signal to valve D. This 5/2 valve changes state and
sends cylinder B positive. When fully outstroked, the piston trips valve E and the
cylinder instrokes. When negative, valve F is actuated and causes cylinder A to
outstroke and stay in the positive position. The system stops and waits for a signal
from valve A.
We can summarise the sequence of this circuit as follows.
Start, A, B+, B, A+, Stop
Assignment 14
1. Study this sequential circuit.
(a) Name the components labelled Valve D, Valve F and Valve H.
(b) If Valve H were removed from the circuit, explain the effect this would have
on the operation of the furnace door.
(c) Using appropriate terminology, explain how the circuit operates, starting, from
when Valve A is pressed.
(d) A short delay is required before Cylinder B goes positive. Redraw the circuit to
take this into account.
2. A pneumatic system is used to transfer packages between conveyor belts as
shown. The pneumatic circuit is also shown.

Cylinder B

Cylinder A

Valve 1

Figure 77
The sequence of operation of the cylinders is A+, B+, A, B.

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56

CYLINDER A

CYLINDER B

Figure 78
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Build and test this circuit.

Name valves 1, 2 and 4.
Describe how the circuit operates.
If the packages were too light to actuate valve 1, describe another way to
detect the packages.
(e) The outstroke speed of the cylinders needs to be slowed down. Describe how
you would do this.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Forces in a single-acting cylinder

When a single-acting cylinder outstrokes, it produces a force. We can use this force to
carry out tasks. When we are designing pneumatic circuits, we must use a cylinder
that is capable of completing its task. For example, if a single-acting cylinder is used
to push parcels off a conveyor belt, then it must produce a big enough force to be able
to do this. If the force is not big enough, then the parcels will not move, and if the
force is too big, the parcels may be damaged.
The size of the force produced by the cylinder as it outstrokes depends on two things
the air pressure supplied to the cylinder and the surface area of the piston. This
means that if we want a bigger force we can either use a larger piston or increase the
air pressure. However, it is not a good idea to increase the air pressure because this
can damage components.
The instroke of a single-acting cylinder is controlled by a spring. The spring returns
the piston to its original position. We do not normally use the instroke of a singleacting cylinder to carry out tasks.

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58

Pressure
Air pressure is measured in bars or in N/mm2 (newtons per square millimetre). We can
measure the pressure in a pneumatic system using a pressure gauge. A gauge will
always be connected to the compressor, but other gauges may be connected
throughout large systems. This helps to detect leaks, as the pressure in the system
would begin to fall if air was escaping from the pipes.
Whenever we use pressure in calculations, we require the units to be in N/mm2. This
sometimes means converting from bars to N/mm2. This conversion is easy, as you
simply divide the value in bars by 10. For example, if the pressure supplied to a
system is 5 bars, we can find the equivalent value in N/mm2 by simply dividing 5 by
10. Therefore, the value would be 0.5 N/mm2.
The chart below provides a quick reference.

bar

N /m m

10

0 .1

0 .2

0 .3

0 .4

0 .5

0 .6

0 .7

0 .8

0 .9

Figure 79

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Area
The surface area of the piston is the area that the air pushes against to outstroke the
piston. This area is circular.

Figure 80
The area of a circle is calculated using the formula
Area r 2

d2
4

where r is the radius and d is the diameter of the circle.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

60

Force
The force produced when a single-acting cylinder outstrokes is calculated using the
formula:

Force = Pressure Area

where force is measured in newtons (N), pressure is measured in N/mm2 and area is
measured in mm2.
In some situations, we would know the size of the force needed to do a job properly.
In this case, we would want to calculate the pressure needed or the size of the piston.
To do this we need to rearrange our formula.

Pressure = Force
Area
Area = Force
Pressure
Worked example
Air is supplied to a single-acting cylinder at a pressure of 4 N/mm2. The diameter of
the piston is 25 mm. Calculate the force produced as the piston outstrokes.
Step 1
Write down any information that you have from the question.
Pressure = 4 N/mm2
Diameter = 25 mm
Step 2
We need to calculate the surface area.
Area

d2
4

25 2
4
491 mm 2
3.14

Step 3
Use the correct formula for what you are trying to find. In this case, calculate the
force.
Force = Pressure Area
= 4 491
= 1964 N
Force = 1.96 kN

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Assignment 15
1. Write down the formula that we use to calculate the force in a single-acting
cylinder as it outstrokes.
2. A pneumatic stamping machine is used to stamp the company logo onto metal
casings. It is discovered that the stamp does not imprint the logo properly. Suggest
ways of increasing the size of the force produced by the cylinder.
3. What controls the instroke of a single-acting cylinder?
4. A single-acting cylinder is used to press two sheets of acrylic together when they
are gluing. The process requires a force of 300 N. The only piston available has a
diameter of 20 mm and it is supplied with air at a pressure of 0.3 N/mm2. Will this
arrangement enable this process to be carried out properly?
5. What force will be produced by a 20 mm diameter cylinder as it goes positive
using a pressure of 0.8 N/mm2?
6. Calculate the outstroke force produced by a 40 mm diameter cylinder when it
operates with a supply pressure of 3 bars.
7. Write down the formula that we would use to calculate the pressure of a system if
we already knew the force required and the size of the cylinder available.
8. A stamping machine exerts a force of 454 N with a piston diameter of 34 mm.
Calculate the air pressure required for this operation.
9. A machine that places tops on bottles uses a single-acting cylinder. The process
requires a force of 650 N. What air pressure needs to be supplied to the cylinder
with a diameter of 56 mm?
10. A force of 540 N is needed to push a packing case off a conveyor belt. The singleacting cylinder used has a diameter of 60 mm. What air pressure should be
supplied to the system?
11. A pneumatic system is used to test the quality of drawer guides in kitchen
cabinets. A force of 16 N is needed to open the drawer. The single-acting cylinder
available has a piston diameter of 10 mm. What air pressure should be supplied?
12. Write down the formula we would use to find the area of a piston if we already
knew the size of the force it needed to produce and the air pressure being supplied.
13. A single-acting cylinder is used to lift parcels on to a conveyor. This requires a
force of 180 N with the system operating at a pressure of 6 bars. Calculate the area
of the piston required.
14. A door requires a force of 400 N to slide it open. A single-acting cylinder supplied
with a pressure of 5 bars controls the operation. Calculate the diameter of the
piston required to produce this force.
Use the formula: Diameter

4 Area

15. A furnace door weighs 100 N and is lifted by a single-acting cylinder as it

outstrokes. Compressed air is supplied at a pressure of 4 bars. Calculate the
diameter of the piston required to raise the door.
Use the formula: Diameter

4 Area

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62

Forces in a double-acting cylinder

We already know that a double-acting cylinder can be much more useful to us in
pneumatics because both the outstroke and instroke are controlled by compressed air.
This allows us to make use of both the outstroke and the instroke force. What we
learn, however, is that the outstroke force is greater than the instroke force. Why is
this the case?
During the outstroke, the compressed air pushes against the surface area of the piston
in the same way as in the single-acting cylinder.

Figure 81
However, during the instroke the surface area is reduced because of the piston rod.
This means that the compressed air does not have as big an area to push against and so
it does not produce as big a force.

Figure 82
We can find this surface area, or effective area as it is known, by calculating the area
of the piston rod and subtracting it from the surface area of the piston.

Effective area = piston area piston rod area

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Worked example
A double-acting cylinder has a piston with a diameter of 25 mm. The piston rod is
5 mm in diameter. Pressure is supplied to the system at 4 N/mm2. Calculate the force
produced by the cylinder as it outstrokes and instrokes.
Step 1
Write down any information that you have from the question.
Pressure = 4 N/mm2
Piston diameter = 25 mm
Piston rod diameter = 5 mm
Step 2
We need to calculate the surface area.
Area

d2
4

25 2
4
491 mm 2
3.14

Step 3
Use the correct formula for what you are trying to find. In this case, calculate the
outstroke force.
Force = Pressure Area
= 4 491
= 1964 N
Outstroke force = 1.96 kN
Step 4
Calculate the piston rod area.
Piston rod area

d2
4

52
4
20 mm 2
3.14

Step 5
Calculate the effective area. (We already know the piston area from step 2.)
Effective area piston area piston rod area
491 20
471 mm 2

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

64

Step 6
Calculate the instroke force.
Force = Pressure Effective Area
= 4 471
= 1884 N
Instroke force = 1.88 kN

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Assignment 16
1. Explain why the forces produced by a double-acting cylinder on the outstroke and
instroke are different.
2. A double-acting cylinder found in a Technological Studies room has a piston
diameter of 20 mm and is supplied with air at a pressure of 0.3 N/mm2. What force
is produced as the piston outstrokes? The piston rod has a diameter of 6 mm. What
force is produced on the instroke?
3. A double-acting cylinder is used to raise and lower a barrier in a car park. The air
pressure is 0.4 N/mm2 and the piston has a diameter of 40 mm. The piston rod is
12 mm in diameter. What forces are produced when the piston outstrokes and
instrokes?
4. A double-acting cylinder is used to set up skittles in a bowling complex. An
instroking force of 0.04 kN is needed to move the skittles. The effective area of
the piston is 133 mm2.
(a) What pressure should be supplied to the cylinder?
(b) At this pressure, will the outstroke force be larger or smaller than the instroke?
Explain your answer.
5. Components on a conveyor system travel along and drop onto a table attached to
the end of a double-acting cylinder.

Figure 83
As the cylinder instrokes, the components are raised up and then pushed by
another cylinder on to the next conveyor. The piston diameter is 20 mm and air is
supplied at a pressure of 0.45 N/mm2. The effective area is 200 mm2.
(a) Calculate the instroke force and say whether the system could lift a component
weighing 100 N.
(b) Someone suggests turning the double-acting cylinder round so that the
components are lifted by the outstroke.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

66

Figure 84
Is the system now able to raise the components? Explain your answer.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Homework assignments
Homework 1
1. Describe some of the advantages of using pneumatics.

2. List the safety rules we must follow when operating pneumatic circuits.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

68

Homework 2
1. Which terms can be used to describe the piston in the position shown?

Figure 85

2. Name each of the following actuators.

Figure 86

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Homework 3
1. Draw the symbols for the following components.
(a) Push button, spring return 3/2 valve

(b) Single-acting cylinder

(c) Plunger-operated, spring return 3/2 valve

(d) Unidirectional restrictor

(e) Pilot air operated 5/2 valve

(f) Double-acting cylinder

2. Draw the symbols used to represent main air and exhaust.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

70

Homework 4
1. The diagrams below have a basic fault. Identify this fault and then redraw the
diagram properly.
(a)

Figure 87

(b)

Valve A

Valve B

Figure 88

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Homework 5
1. What is the difference between a restrictor and a unidirectional restrictor?

2. Why do we restrict the exhaust air from a cylinder rather than the air entering the
cylinder?

3. Name the components used to create a time delay. Draw a diagram to show how
they are connected together.

4. How can we change the length of a delay?

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

72

Homework 6
1. Describe the difference between a T-piece and a shuttle valve. You may use
sketches to help.

2. Name the following components and describe what they are used for.

a
..
.

Figure 89

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Homework 7
1. A circuit allows a door to be opened by pressing either valve A or valve B. What
type of control is this?

2. Draw the truth table for this type of circuit.

3. How can AND control improve safety on a production line?

4. Draw a pneumatic circuit that would demonstrate AND control.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

74

Homework 8
1. What name is given to the movement produced by an automatic circuit?

2. What is the difference between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic circuit?

3. Explain why the force produced by the instroke of a double-acting cylinder is less
than the outstroke.

4. Safety barriers on a fairground ride are held in place by pneumatic cylinders.

Which type of cylinder would you recommend? Describe the reasons for your
choice.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Homework 9
1. A double-acting cylinder is used to open and close a window in a greenhouse. The
window weighs 20 N and the piston diameter of the cylinder is 10 mm. What air
pressure should be supplied to this system? (Show all your working.)

2. A force of 280 N is needed to tip over a container full of rubbish. Compressed air
is supplied to the pneumatic system at a pressure of 0.7 N/mm2. What cylinder
diameter is needed to complete this task?

3. A pneumatic system is used to dip components into a chemical solution. It is no

problem for the cylinder to lower the components, but it is unable to raise them by
instroking. The components weigh 550 N and the cylinder has a diameter of
32 mm. The piston rod is 12 mm in diameter and air is supplied to the system at a
pressure of 0.7 N/mm2. Show by calculation why the system cannot lift the
components.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

76

Homework 10
1. A furniture manufacturer uses pneumatics to test wear and tear on drawer guides
in a kitchen unit. A double-acting cylinder is used to constantly open and close the
drawer, and the runners are checked regularly. The following pneumatic circuits
have been designed to carry out the same task. Describe how each circuit works
and choose the circuit that you think would best perform the task. Give reasons for
your choice.
KITCHEN UNIT
PISTON MOVEMENT
DRAWER

DRAWER GUIDES

Figure 90

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

KITCHEN UNIT
PISTON MOVEMENT
DRAWER

DRAWER GUIDES

MICRO-SWITCH

12V
dc

12V
dc

Figure 91

The best circuit is

because

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

78

Unit assessment
Hot plastic sheets are moulded into cups using a former attached to the end of a
double-acting cylinder. An operator starts the process by pressing a button, but the
cylinder should instroke automatically. Before this happens, there should be a delay to
allow the plastic sheet to cool and set in shape. A partly completed diagram is shown.

HOT PLASTIC
SHEET

Figure 92
(a) Complete the missing piping.
(b) State the full name of each of the pneumatic components marked on the
diagram.
1.
2.
3.

(c) Using appropriate terminology, explain how the circuit works.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

(d) The cylinder instrokes so quickly that sometimes the cup gets stuck onto the
former. Name the component that could be used to reduce the speed of the
cylinder.

(e) The component named in your answer to (d) can be inserted in the circuit
shown above so that the cylinder instrokes slowly. Add this component to the
circuit diagram at the appropriate point.
(f) Describe two ways of changing the length of time delay.
1.
2.

(g) It requires a force of 16 N to press the plastic sheet into shape. What air
pressure is required if the diameter of the piston is 10 mm. (Show all working
and units.)
[Pressure = Force/Area, Area = r2 = d2/4]

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

80

81

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Section 2: Electronic Control

There are many advantages in controlling pneumatic circuits with electronics. First,
electronic signals are faster than pneumatic signals, so circuits respond much more
quickly. We can also carry electrical signals over longer distances than pneumatic
signals. Finally, electronic components are much smaller than pneumatic actuators,
which can be bulky and interfere with the operation of a circuit.
If we control pneumatic circuits with electronics we can design complicated control
systems and still use pneumatic components for lifting and moving and all the things
that they do best.
To control a pneumatic circuit with electronics we need to use a solenoid-operated
valve.

Figure 93
This type of valve works in the same way as other 3/2 or 5/2 valves with the exception
that it is actuated by an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be produced by
many different components such as microswitches and reed switches. Reed switches
are useful if the cylinder has a magnetic piston band. This means that you can detect
the position of the piston without relying on a switch or button that needed to be
pressed.
Most solenoids are 8 V or 12 V devices. The voltage rating will be stamped or printed
onto the solenoid casing. You must always check this before you start work with
solenoids.
To find out more information about solenoids, you should look at video clips within
the Festo CD-ROM. In particular, you should view film numbers 8, 9 and 10.
In a bottling plant, a single-acting cylinder is used to press the lids onto the bottles. A
roller trip, spring return 3/2 valve is used to detect when the bottles are in the correct
position. Sometimes, however, the roller is not actuated and the bottles pass to the
next stage unsealed. Someone suggests that a microswitch be used instead to sense
when the bottles are in place.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

82

Figure 94
The circuit diagram would look like this:

V+
0V

Figure 95
V+ will depend on the voltage rating of your solenoid. This will usually be 8 V or
12 V. You should check this before wiring your circuit.
To get the single-acting cylinder to outstroke, you press the microswitch. This
energises the solenoid valve and it changes state. The valve then allows air to flow
into the cylinder. Once the switch is released, the cylinder instrokes. It is important
that you do not keep the switch pressed for a long time as this can cause the solenoid
to overheat and be damaged.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Assignment 17
1. Build and test the circuit shown for pressing the lids onto bottles.
(a) Record all the important information about this circuit, including a systems
diagram, a circuit diagram and an explanation of how the circuit works.
2. Describe the advantages of controlling a pneumatic circuit with electronics.
We can also make use of other electrical components such as temperature sensors,
light sensors and counters to control the state of a solenoid valve. In these circuits we
need to use a relay to drive the solenoid as the voltage rating is higher than that of our
electronic circuit.
A greenhouse uses a double-acting cylinder to open and close the windows. The
windows should open when it gets too hot and close when it gets too cold.

Figure 96
The circuit diagram to solve this problem is shown below.

Vs

VREF

+V

+
POS

TP

S
0V

SIG

NEG

S
0V

0V

INC
REF VOLT S

S
0V

+
S
0V

S
0V

REF

TP

0V

+V

TP

+
S
0V

S
0V

0v

0V

Y
G
IC N
G
AH
I
M
T

S
0V

0v

0V
RANG
+5V DC
E TO +8V
DC

WITH
REF VOLT S

E & L INSTRUMENTS Ltd

E & L INSTRUMENTS Ltd

E & L INSTRUMENTS Ltd

E & L INSTRUMENTS Ltd

Figure 97
Assignment 18
1. Build and test the circuit shown for opening and closing the window.
(a) Record all the important information about this circuit including a circuit
diagram and an explanation of how it works.
(b) The window opens and closes too quickly. Alter your circuit so that it moves
slowly.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

84

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

Section 3: Programmable Control

To achieve really complex control of pneumatics, it is much easier and more reliable
to use a programmable system. One way is to use a microcontroller such as the Basic
Stamp.
Using this type of interface allows us to control the state of a solenoid valve. A
solenoid valve is actuated by a brief electrical signal and should only really be used
for signalling purposes. If the solenoid is energised for too long, the valve can
overheat and be permanently damaged.
Programmable control allows us to design sequences that are not possible with
pneumatic actuators, for example the sequence B+, A+, A, B. It also allows us to
control the action of a solenoid by more than one switch and this could be very useful
as part of a safety system. Exact time delays can be achieved too without the need for
components such as a flow control valve and a reservoir. The greatest advantage,
however, is that we can change the program at any time. In fact, we could have
several programs written and saved on disc ready to be used.
Let us look back at our car park problem.

Figure 98
Finally someone has suggested that the barrier should be controlled by a computerised
system as this will help to speed up the flow of traffic entering the car park, especially
when it is very busy. When cars approach the barrier, the car wheels will activate a
switch and the barrier will rise automatically. Once the car has passed under the
barrier, a second switch is pressed that lowers the barrier. The process is then ready to
begin again.

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

86

The flow chart is shown below.

START

Barrier
down
No
Is approach
switch
pressed?
Yes
Barrier
up
No
Is clear
switch
pressed?
Yes

Figure 99
A PBasic program that would achieve this operation is:
init: let dirs = %11110000
main: low 7
check1:if pin0 = 1 then raise
goto check 1
raise:high 7
if pin1 = 1 then main
goto raise
end

To test this program you will need to download it to a stamp controller. You will also
need the input module and output driver module.
The input module allows us to connect switches and sensors to the stamp controller.
For this problem we need to connect two microswitches to the input module at pins 0
and 1.

87

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

The output driver allows the stamp controller to drive devices such as buzzers and
motors. In this problem it will be used to control a solenoid 3/2 valve.
The solenoid needs its own power supply to energise the coil. Most solenoids are 8 V
or 12 V devices and the casing of the component should tell you the voltage rating.
This voltage should be applied to the driver power supply terminals at the top of the
board. You must also make sure that the slide switch is set to External. Finally,
connect the black wire from the solenoid to pin 7 and the red wire to the V+
connection.
Power
supply

Set switch to
External

STAMP

EXTERNAL

0V

V+

DRIVER
POWER
SUPPLY

DARLINGTON
DRIVER

V+

0V

Red

V+

6
6

Black

SERVO
B
PUSHPULL
DRIVER

1P
R

Figure 100

Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems

88

The finished circuit should look like this.

0V V+

Input
Module

Stamp
Controller

Output
Driver

Figure 101
Assignment
1. Build and test the circuit shown.
a. Use a report sheet to record all the important information about this circuit.
b. Name two other types of input device that could be used to detect the cars.
State one advantage and disadvantage of each.
2. Sheet-metal drainage panels are shaped on a pneumatic press. The press uses two
single-acting cylinders, a T-piece and a 3/2 solenoid valve. The sequence must
only begin when the start switch has been pressed. The press is then held for three
seconds before being released. A buzzer must sound when the press is in
operation.
(a) Design a pneumatic circuit to solve this problem.
(b) Draw a flow chart.
(c) Write a PBasic program.
(d) Evaluate your solution. How well does it solve the problem? (You may need to
build your solution to check this.)
3. Modern trains have many built-in safety features. One feature is an automatic
brake system that is activated if the driver does not press a switch every 30
seconds. This is to ensure that the driver is alert throughout the journey. Five
seconds before the brakes are applied automatically, a warning buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that the switch needs to be pressed. Pressing the button at this stage
will reset the system. Large forces are needed to bring the train to a stop and
pneumatic cylinders are used to activate the brakes.
(a) Using two single-acting cylinders, a T-piece and a 3/2 solenoid valve, design a
pneumatic circuit that could be used to apply the brakes.
(b) Draw a flow chart of this problem.
(c) Write a PBasic program that would control the pneumatic circuit.
(d) Build and test your solution.
(e) Evaluate your solution. How well does it solve the problem?
(f) As the train approaches a station, the driver needs to apply the brakes to stop
the train. Change your original program to allow for this.

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Standard Grade Technological Studies: Pneumatic Systems