MECH610/PNEUMATICS & ELECTRO-PNEUMATICS

Module 1 – Introduction to Pneumatics (LAB)

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, students are expected to:
C1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of core pneumatic and/or
electro-pneumatic theories and concepts.

Specifically,
 Laboratory Safety Orientation
 Familiarization on basic Pneumatic devices and its corresponding symbols

Safety Orientation

Industrial accidents are the result of unsafe acts and unsafe conditions caused by
people.

Unsafe conditions - Unsafe condition is the existence of something that should not be
there or something missing that should be there.

Examples are as follows:

- Unguarded machinery (something missing),
- defective tools or equipment (should not be there)
- slippery or uneven working surfaces (should not be there)

Unsafe Acts - Actions of people that may contribute to or cause accidents.

Examples are as follows:
- making safety devices in operative,
- using unsafe equipment,
- failure to use safe clothing or personal protective devices, etc.

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Safety Rules
• Do all the connections and disconnections with the energy supply OFF!
• Things to do in case of loose tubes whiplash:
– Put the system into zero pressure status
– Hold the tubes (if you can) then turn off the energy supply
– Back off and have the attention of the operator to turn off the energy
supply
• Check all the components/devices for proper connections and orientations before
turning the energy supply ON.
• Avoid using tubes with defects
• Refer to the instrument’s user manual for its care and safe use
• Maintain the standard compressed air pressure : 5 bars

Do’s inside the Mechatronics Laboratory

• Keep your working area clean and organized.
• Do your work quietly
• Arrange the chairs before you leave.
• Read and follow the safety precautions given here to avoid any untoward
incidents.
• Follow the proper procedure in disconnecting tubes/hoses.
• Take care in performing any laboratory experiment and handling materials

Don’ts inside the Mechatronics Laboratory

• Do not eat, drink or smoke inside the laboratory.
• Do not play with the experiment and experiment materials while performing the
experiment.
• Do not perform an experiment with your hands wet.
• Do not panic in case of an air whiplash.
Pneumatic Symbols and Description of Components

The development of pneumatic system is assisted by a uniform approach to the

representation of the elements and the circuits. The symbols used for the individual
elements must display the following characteristics:

 Actuation and return actuation methods

 Number of connections (all labeled for identification)
 Number of switching positions
 General operating positions
 Simplified representation of the flow path

The symbols used in pneumatics are detailed in the standard DIN ISO 1219, “Circuit
symbols for fluidic equipment and systems”.

Laboratory Exercise

Draw the corresponding symbols of the following devices found in the assigned
workstation using below worksheet:
References and Supplementary Materials:
Jagadeesha T., Hydraulics and Pnuematics. 2015
P. Croser and F. Ebel, Pneumatics (FESTO). 2002
Online Supplementary Reading Materials:
https://resources.hkedcity.net/res_files/201101/20110128101153_259037.pdf
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1d46/635cd0108017b1557a2721b03d339072b67f.pdf

Online Instructional Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_WJ-0Lujvk