Being confident of this ,

that He who began a good

work in you will carry it on

Introduction to
to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Practical
Pneumatics.
Historic Evolution of Compressed Air.
Origin of the word “PNEUMATICS”. PNEUMA in Greek means SOUL.
Remarkable events:
1500 B.C. Hand and foot bellows. Non- ferric melting

1688 Piston machine. Papín

1762 Blowing cylinder. John Smeaton

1776 Compressor prototype. John Wilkinson
1857 Perforation of Mont Cenis tunnel.
1869 Air break for FFCC. Westinghouse

1888 Air distribution in Paris. Victor Pop

Advantages of Pneumatic Technology.
Elasticity, because it can stored in containers.
It does not have any explosive properties.
High speed of the actuators.
Temperature change does not change its performance.
It is a clean technology. ( From a macroscopic point of view.)
It is not expensive.
Mechanics becomes easier.
 Applications of Pneumatic Technology
Operation of systems of valves of air , water and even chemicals.
Operation of heavy or hot doors.
Tamping on concrete laying.
Lifting and moving in slab moulding machines.
Crop spraying and operation of other tractor equipment.
Spray painting.
Holding and moving in wood working.
Machine tool, work or tool feeding.
 Applications of Pneumatic Technology
Holding or gluing, heat sealing or welding plastics.
Holding for brazing and welding.
Forming operations of bending, drawing and flattening.
Bottling and filling machines.
Component and material conveyor transfer.
Air separation and vacuum lifting of thin sheets.
Basic Pneumatic System
Basic Pneumatic System:
PRODUCTION SYSTEM.
1. Compressor: Air taken in atmospheric pressure and is compressed and delivered at a higher
pressure to the pneumatic system. It thus transform mechanical energy into pneumatic
energy.
2. Electric Motor: Supplies the mechanical power to the compressor. It transforms electrical
energy into mechanical energy.
3. Pressure Switch: Controls the electric motor by sensing the pressure in the tank. It is set to a
maximum pressure at which it stops the motor, and a minimum pressure at which it restarts
it.
4. Check Valve: It let the compressed air from the compressor into the tank and prevents it
from leaking back when the compressor is stopped.
5. Tank: Stores the compressed air. Its size is defined by the capacity of the compressor. The
larger the volume, the longer the intervals between compressor runs.
6. Pressure Gauge: It serves as indicator in the tank’s pressure.
Basic Pneumatic System:
PRODUCTION SYSTEM.
7. Auto Drain: Drains all the water condensing in the tank without supervision.
8. Safety Valve: Blows compressed air off if the pressure in the tank should rise above the
allowed pressure.
9. Refrigerated Air Dryer: Cools the compressed air to a few degrees above freezing point and
condenses most of the air humidity. This avoids having water in the downstream system.
10. Line Filter: This filter must have minimal pressure drop and the capability of oil mist removal.
It helps to keep the line free from dust, water and oil.
Basic Pneumatic System: AIR
CONSUMING SYSTEM
1. Air Take – Off: Air is taken off from the top of the main pipe to allow occasional condensate.
2. Auto Drain: Every descending tube should have a drain at its lowest point. The most
efficient method is an Auto Drain which prevents water from remaining in the tube should
manual draining be neglected.
3. Air Service Unit: It condition the compressed air to provide clean air at optimum pressure,
and occasionally adds lubricants to extend the life of those pneumatic system components
which is in need of lubrication.
4. Directional Valve: Alternatively pressurizes and exhausts the cylinder connections to control
the direction of movement.
5. Actuator: Transforms the potential energy of the compressed air into mechanical work.
6. Speed Controllers: Allow an easy and stepless speed adjustment of the actuator movement.
Pneumatic/
Electro-pneumatic
symbols
BASIC SYMBOLS
AIR TREATMENT
AIR TREATMENT
CYLINDERS
DISTRIBUTION
VALVES
TYPES OF ACTIVATION
FLOW & BLOCK REGULATION
VALVES
ACCESORIES
COMPONENTS
FOR VACUUM
Directional Control
Valves
OPERATION
The directional control valves are the elements that distribute the
compressed air according to the necessities.
This is why they are the intermediate elements between the
compressed air source and the driving forces.
Distribution is carried out by opening and/or closing fluid passes
between different holes.
Depending on the nature, type, function and state of activation of
the valve, the actuators will carry out the planned job.
OPERATION
CLASSIFICATION, ACCORDING TO THE
FUNCTION
The function of a directional control valve is mainly determined by:
1. The number of ports (holes the valve has to distribute the fluid pass):
-2 ways - 4 ways
-3 ways - 5 ways

2. The number of switching positions (number of different states that the valve can
adopt):
-2 positions - 3 positions
3. The number of activation (number of steady states that the valve can adopt):
◦ Monostable Valves: They have just one stable position, with one control and
return to the stable position by means of spring.
◦ Bistable Valves: They have two stable positions with two controls.
CLASSIFICATION, ACCORDING TO THE
FUNCTION: Two Port Valves
The valve opens or closes the fluid
pass between two ways: input/feed
and output/ use.
“Normally Open” (NO) Valves: When
resting, the way between the input
and the output is open, and the fluid
can flow freely.

“Normally Closed” (NC) Valves:

When resting, the way between the
input and the output is closed, and the
fluid cannot flow.
 CLASSIFICATION, ACCORDING TO THE
FUNCTION: THREE PORT VALVES
The valve, in one of the positions, connects
the input with the output; and in the other
position it keeps the input closed as it unloads
the use by the third relief port “EXH” (Exhaust)
“Normally Open” (NO) Valves: When resting,
the way between the input and the output is
open, and the fluid can flow freely.

“Normally Closed” (NC) Valves: When

resting, the way between the relief and the
output is open so the fluid can freely go out
through the exhaust port.
CLASSIFICATION, ACCORDING TO THE
FUNCTION: FOUR OR FIVE PORT VALVES
They have two outputs (A & B), 1 pressure input (P) and 1 or 2
relieves (R1 & R2).
They can also have 2 or 3 positions.
Depending on the feed type, “P” can be connected to “A”, to “B”, to
both or none of them (depending on the position it has each
moment).
The only difference between the 4 & 5 port valves is that the 4 port
valve centralized both relieves in one hole and the 5 port valve have
two different holes.
CLASSIFICATION, ACCORDING TO THE
FUNCTION: FOUR OR FIVE PORT VALVES
FOUR PORT VALVES FIVE PORT VALVES

First position of First position of

the cylinder the cylinder

Second Position of Second Position of

the cylinder the cylinder
To be continued…