PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL

AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)

Experiment Number: 10 D Date: 20/042021
Aim: To design and simulate an electro-pneumatic circuit for the indirect control of
double acting cylinder using relay(s) through the concept of latching circuit with the help
of FluidSIM Pneumatic software.

Control Task: (LATCH CONTROL)

A double-acting cylinder is to be controlled using a 5/2-way single solenoid valve.
When push-button PB1 is pressed, the cylinder is to extend and remain in that position
even when PBI is released. The cylinder is to retract to the home position when push-
button PB2 is pressed. Also, the cylinder is to remain in the home position even when
PB2 is released. Develop an electro-pneumatic control circuit with an electrical latching
circuit as part of it.

Components Required:
1. Double Acting Cylinder (2 no.(s))

2. Compressed air supply (2 no.(s))

3. 5/2 DCV solenoid actuated spring return (2 no.(s))

4. 24 V pole (2 no.(s))

5. 0 V pole (2 no.(s))

6. Push Button (make) (4 no.(s))

7. Valve solenoid (2 no.(s))

8. Relay (2 no.(s))

Circuit Description:
● Direction Control Valves (DCV): The valve helps the fluid be directed from the
pumps to the cylinders and return to the reservoir.

● Actuator: These are used to convert fluid power into mechanical by doing useful
work. The actuator used here is a linear type as it employs a piston that moves
forward and backwards with the transfer of hydraulic oil. The force exertion would
be in two directions in a Double-acting cylinder. Because of the difference in the
area present in a double-acting cylinder, there would be more force in extension
PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
than retraction.

● Compressed Air Supplier/Compressor: An air compressor is a machine that

uses an electric motor or gas engine to power a device that sucks in successive
volumes of air from the atmosphere, compresses (squeezes) each volume of air in
a confined place to increase its pressure by making the volume smaller, and then
transfers the high-pressure air to a receiver tank.

● Push Button: Electric push buttons are used with electric circuits, they contain the
electronics required to either make or break circuits, depending on the
requirements of the application.

● Valve Solenoid: Solenoid valves are control units which, when electrically
energized or de-energized, either shut off or allow fluid flow. The actuator takes the
form of an electromagnet. When energized, a magnetic field builds up which pulls a
plunger or pivoted armature against the action of a spring. When de-energized, the
plunger or pivoted armature is returned to its original position by the spring action.
The valve solenoid switches the valve. By means of a label the valve solenoid can
be linked to a valve that is solenoid operated.

● Poles of Voltage source:

 24V – 24 volts pole of the voltage source.

 0V – 0 volts pole of the voltage source.

● Relay: Relay is an electrically actuated switch, contains a coil and a contactor

switch or multiples contactors. When power is applied to relay coil, the core
magnetizes, drawing the contact assembly in. This will change the state of all the
contacts in the relay (i.e., N.O contact becomes closed or N.C contact becomes
open). Relay uses small amount of power to control switching (advantage). The
voltage applied to the coil does not have to be the same as that in control circuit.

● Make switch: Generally, (Make) switches are used to ON/OFF the electrical
circuit of electro-pneumatic circuit (It is of NC type) General make switch that is
tailored according to the component that actuates it. For example, if the make
switch is linked via a label to a switch-on delayed relay, the make switch changes
to a switch on delayed make switch in the circuit diagram.
 PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
Working of the Circuits:
DOMINANT OFF CIRCUIT:

1. Initially the circuit is set according to the given circuit diagram.

2. Push button (PB1) in the electro-pneumatic circuit is pressed there by

closing the circuit.

3. As, soon as the circuit is complete, the solenoid valve is activated (via relay
coil and coupled make switch (K1)) that in-turn actuates the DCV in the
pneumatic circuit and thereby making the cylinder to carry out the extension
stroke.

4. And as, soon as the PB2 is pressed along, solenoid valve is deactivated (via,
relay and make switch (K1)) and in turn the DCV is de-actuated and finally
the cylinder performs the retraction stroke.

DOMINANT ON CIRCUIT:

1. Initially the circuit is set according to the given circuit diagram.

2. Push button (PB3) in the electro-pneumatic circuit is pressed there by

closing the circuit.

3. As, soon as the circuit is complete, the solenoid valve is activated (via relay
coil and coupled make switch (K2)) that in-turn actuates the DCV in the
pneumatic circuit and thereby making the cylinder to carry out the extension
stroke.

4. And as, soon as the PB4 is pressed along, solenoid valve is deactivated (via,
relay and make switch (K2)) and in turn the DCV is de-actuated and finally
the cylinder performs the retraction stroke.

5. Hence finally we had obtained a circuit fulfilling the following condition of

control task of latching circuit is obtained.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOMINANT OFF/ON CIRCUITS:

The main difference between the dominant-OFF and dominant-ON circuits will be
evident when both the 'Start' push-button (PBI) and the 'Stop' push-button (PB2)
are pressed simultaneously. In the first case, the circuit goes to the 'OFF' state,
 PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
hence the name 'dominant OFF' circuit. In the second case, the circuit goes to the
'ON' state, hence the name 'dominant ON' circuit.

Simulate circuit with State Diagram using FluidSIM-H:

PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
 PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
STATE DIAGRAM:

FOR 1 CYCLE:

AFTER MANY CYCLE:

PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
 PRPC27 MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION (Theory & Lab)
STATE DIAGRAM:

FOR 1 CYCLE:

AFTER MANY CYCLES:

Results: Finally, the required electro-pneumatic circuit for the indirect control of double
acting cylinder using relay(s) through LATCHING CIRCUIT/METHOD is designed,
simulated, and tested with the help of FluidSIM Pneumatic software and thereby
accomplishing a solution for the given control task.