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Design Experiment 1: Pneumatic Control

Kim Robert Altarejos, Christian Jerome P. De Guzman, Mhar James A. Gervacio, John Izzer N. Jarangan, Yener B.
Oliveras, Rene Emmanuel M. Pecaso

University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippines

B. 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally closed

I. INTRODUCTION A 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally closed is

P NEUMATICS is a type of automation control wherein it uses
pressurized air. Normally, it is a system that uses an air
compressor to reduce the volume of the air which results to the
increase pressure of the gas. Then, it travels to a pneumatic hose
to be processed by actuator and valves [1]. Moreover, there are
various applications of pneumatics in industries like
manufacturing, automotive, and food processing. It is an
essential concept to the following industries as it makes the
work efficiently. [2]
a 3/2-way valve that operates by pressing the pushbutton, when
the pushbutton is released, the valve returns to its starting
position through a return spring. This component was used to
operate the pneumatic circuit in the experiment.
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In this design experiment, two designs were

implemented to complete the requirements based on the design
(a) Schematic Symbol of 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally closed
specifications. The first design will use a single-acting cylinder
while the second design will utilize two double-acting
cylinders. Both designs performed different functions to serve.

II. MATERIALS USED

A. Compressed Air Supply
The compressed air supply provides the needed
compressed air. It contains a pressure control valve that can be
adjusted to output the desired operating pressure. This is used
to make the pneumatic circuit operate.
(a) Schematic Symbol of 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally closed

Fig. 2. (a) Schematic symbol of a 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally

closed and (b) an actual image of a 3/2-way valve with pushbutton, normally
closed

C. 5/2-way Impulse valve, pneumatically operated

A 5/2-way impulse valve, pneumatically operated is
controlled by applying pressure at the terminal 14 and 12. The
(a) Schematic Symbol of compressed air supply
valves operating position remains until an opposite signal is
received by the valve. This valve was used to operate the double
acting cylinders in the experiment.

4 2

5 3
1

(a) Schematic symbol of a 5/2-way Impulse Valve, Pneumatically

(a) Schematic Symbol of compressed air supply
Operated

Fig. 1. (a) Schematic symbol of a compressed air supply and (b) an actual image
of a compressed air supply.
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(a) Schematic symbol of a 3/2-way Roller Lever Valve, Normally Closed

(b) An actual image of a 5/2-way Impulse Valve, Pneumatically

Operated

Fig. 3. (a) Schematic symbol of a 5/2-way Impulse Valve, Pneumatically

Operated and (b) an actual image of a 5/2-way Impulse Valve,
Pneumatically Operated

D. 3/2-way Idle Return Roller Valve, Normally Closed

A 3/2-way idle return roller valve, normally closed is
operated when the roller is driven in a specific direction by the
cylinder. After the cylinder hits the roller, the roller returns to
its starting position by the use of a return spring. When the roller
is driven in the opposite direction, the valve does not operate.
Two idle return rollers were used in the experiment, one roller
was used to trigger the second cylinder to extend and the other
was to trigger the first cylinder to retract.
2 valves operating position remains until an opposite signal is
1 3
(b) An actual image of a 3/2-way Roller Lever Valve, Normally Closed
Fig. 5. (a) Schematic symbol of a 3/2-way Roller Lever Valve, Normally
Closed and (b) an actual image of 3/2-way Roller Lever Valve, Normally
Closed
F. 5/2-way Impulse Valve, pneumatically operated
A 5/2-way impulse valve, pneumatically operated is
controlled by applying pressure at the terminal 14 and 12. The
received by the valve. This valve was used to operate the double
acting cylinder in the experiment.

4 2
(a) Schematic symbol of a 3/2-way Idle Return Roller Valve, Normally
Closed

5 3
1

(a) Schematic symbol of a 5/2-way Impulse Valve, pneumatically

operated

(b) An actual image of a 3/2-way Idle Return Roller Valve, Normally

Closed

Fig. 4. (a) Schematic symbol of a 3/2-way Idle Return Roller Valve

Normally Closed and (b) an actual image of 3/2-way Idle Return Roller
Valve, Normally Closed.

(b) An actual image of a 5/2-way pneumatically operated

E. 3/2-way Roller Lever Valve, Normally Closed
A 3/2-way roller lever valve, normally closed is operated when
the roller is driven. Unlike the idle return roller valve, the roller
lever valve can be operated in both directions by the cylinder.
This valve was used to retract the second cylinder in the
experiment.
Fig. 8. (a) Schematic symbol of 5/2-way pneumatically operated and (b) an
actual image of a 5/2-way pneumatically operated
G. Pressure Sequence Valve
The sequence valve is operated when the control
pressure at connection 12 has been reached. The flow passes
freely from 1 to 2. Removing the signal allows the valve to
return to its starting position through the use of a return spring.
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Connection 1 is shut. The pressure of the control signal is
infinitely adjustable via setting screw where the experiment, it
was set at 3-bars.
(a) Schematic Symbol of Pressure Sequence Valve
(a) Schematic Symbol of Pressure Sequence Valve
Fig. 6. (a) Schematic symbol of a Pressure Sequence Valve and (b) an actual
image of a Pressure Sequence Valve
H. Differential Pressure Gauge
The differential pressure gauge displays the pressure
difference between the adjacent pressures at the left and right
connection where in the experiment the gauge must give a
reading of 3-bars to ensure that the pressure sequence valve was
set properly.
(a) Schematic Symbol of Differential Pressure Gauge
(a) Schematic Symbol of Differential Pressure Gauge
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Fig. 7. (a) Schematic symbol of a Differential Pressure Gauge and (b) an actual
image of a Differential Pressure gauge.
I. One-way Flow Control Valve
The one-way flow control valve is made up of a throttle
valve and a check valve. The check valve stops the flow from
passing in a certain direction. The flow then passes through the
throttle valve. The cross-section of the throttle is adjustable via
a regular screw. In the opposite direction the flow can pass
through the check valve.
(a) Schematic symbol of a One-way Flow Control Valve
(a) Schematic symbol of a One-way Flow Control Valve
Fig. 9. (a) Schematic symbol of a One-way Flow Control Valve d and (b) an
actual image of a One-way Flow Control Valve
J. Double Acting Cylinder
A double acting cylinder is composed of two ports, one
is for extending and one is for retracting. The operation of a
double acting cylinder is it extends or retracts only if
compressed air is applied. One double acting cylinder was used
in the experiment that extend when the pressure reached 3-bars
and retract slowly.
(a) Schematic symbol of a Double Acting Cylinder
(b) An actual image of a Double Acting Cylinder
Fig. 9. (a) Schematic symbol of a Double Acting Cylinder and (b) an actual
image of a Double Acting Cylinder.
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III. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

The first design specification focuses on the pneumatic
control of a single-acting cylinder. The double-acting cylinder
must have an adjustable speed during the extend stroke. When
the maximum extension is reached, it must remain at its forward
position until the pressure reaches 3-bars.

In the second design the specification, the two

cylinders, named cylinder A and cylinder B must follow a
sequence of A+ B+ B– A–, non-cascaded. The design is to
transfer a box from point A, cylinder A holding its position,
then cylinder B actuating to be followed by the retraction of
cylinder B then cylinder A. The actuation of cylinder A, or the
forward stroke, and the retraction of cylinder B must both be
adjustable in speed.
Fig.11. Experiment Proper for Problem 1

IV. DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
For the first given design specification of the design
experiment, the use of double-acting cylinder is indicated so the
use of 5/2 way will be used to supply the given cylinder. The
speed of the actuation or when it is extending must be adjustable
hence the use of one-way flow control valve. When the cylinder
is fully extended the pressure must have a pressure of 3 bars
before retracting. The pressure sequence valve allows the user
to set the pressure to 3 bars that will activate the action of the
cylinder and the two-way flow control valve allows the user to
set how fast the action will be.
For the second design specification given, a non-cascaded
A+ B+ B- A- sequence must be followed. To conduct the
sequence, 2 double-acting cylinders were used and were
identified as cylinder A and cylinder B. To conduct the
sequence 5/2-way and 3/2 way and idle returns were used. To
trigger the action, signal elements (rollers, idle return rollers,
and push button) were used. Each signal element was for
different situations. The idle return roller was used so that
signals would not coincide with other signals. Due to its
construction it will only send signals when triggered in a certain
direction. This is useful to the design specification because
rollers sent signals that coincided therefore making the cylinder
stuck in a command. The problem with the idle returns in both
program and actual was their positioning. Initial creation of the
design in the Fluid-Sim program encounters problems in the
used of actuating labels (begin & end) of the cylinders.
Iterations in the program were conducted before doing the
connection. In connecting of the actual design, the positioning
of the idle return rollers still provides problems in particular
with the flow of pressure at the cylinders. In this case was it
necessary that idle return rollers were perfectly placed along
with the cylinders to avoid misfiring of the pressure in the
cylinders.

Fig. 10. Schematic Diagram for Problem 1

In conducting the experiment, the pressure was retracting

automatically without reaching the 3-bars as stated in the design
specification. The speed of the actuation was set to the fastest
setting then the pressure was fixed by adjusting the knob at the
Pressure Sequence valve.

Fig. 12. Schematic Diagram for Problem 2

During the experiment proper, placing the signal elements

was problematic since it was not as easy as placing the
measurements on program. The placements of the idle rollers
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were also critical since it needed to be triggered then the
cylinder head must pass to remove the signal sent for the other
signal to function.
ways, the check valve stops the flow from passing in a certain
direction. The flow then passes through the throttle valve. The
cross-section of the throttle is adjustable via a regular screw. In
the opposite direction the flow can pass through the check
valve. Double Acting Cylinder was also used for extension or
retraction, whenever what is asked n the problem.
Familiarization of the components & applying it correctly is a
big factor in designing a problem. Positioning of rollers and idle
returns in actual and actuating labels in Fluid-Sim program was
also a problem. By the program provided which was Fluid-Sim
helps in designing pneumatic experiments easier and faster
before connecting components.

VI. REFERENCES

Fig. 12. Experiment Proper for Problem 2
V. CONCLUSION
Pneumatic systems use the energy stored from
compressed air to do work. By controlling the release of
compressed air into the system, we can turn that energy into
controlled movement which was shown in both experiments.
Pneumatic systems are versatile because by using basic
components, with different functions that closely works
together, certain functions or actions can be achieved.
[1] P. Heney, "Application of Pneumatic System," Pneumatic
Tips, September 26 2012. [Online]. Available:
https://www.pneumatictips.com/what-is-pneumatics/.
[Accessed 22 September 2019].
[2] "Application of Pneumatic System," The Engineers Post,
[Online]. Available:
https://www.theengineerspost.com/application-of-
pneumatics-systems/. [Accessed 22 September 2019].

In designing a problem in pneumatics, you need to

familiarize components which you can set up to carry out
different tasks and before anything else you need to understand
the problem where in comprehension plays a big role. In design
experiment 1, Pressure Sequence Valve was used because it
was asked in the problem to retract the cylinder after it extended
when it reaches a pressure of 3-bars. Differential Pressure
Gauge was also used to measure and display the pressure until
it reaches 3-bars. Similarly, with design experiment 2 which is
more complex than the first problem, what was given was a
non-cascaded A+ B+ B- A- sequence. 3/2-way Idle Return
Roller valve (Normally Closed) was used in order for the
cylinder to return to their starting position by the use of return
spring. Two idle return rollers were used in the experiment, one
roller was used to trigger the second cylinder to extend and the
other was to trigger the first cylinder to retract. 3/2-way Roller
Lever Valve (Normally Closed) was used unlike the idle return
roller valve, the roller lever valve can be operated in both
directions by the cylinder. This valve was used to retract the
second cylinder in the experiment.

In both design experiment, Compressed Air Supply was

used to provide the needed compressed air. 3/2-way Valve with
Push Button (Normally Closed) was used to operate by pressing
the pushbutton, when the pushbutton is released, the valve
returns to its starting position through a return spring. 5/2-way
Impulse Valve (Pneumatically Operated) was used to control
by applying pressure at the terminal 14 and 12. The valves
operating position remains until an opposite signal is received
by the valve. One-way Flow Control Valve was used in two