What is pneumatics and how does it work?

Akash Shah
3 min readMay 4, 2022

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Pneumatics, the science of compressed air, however it is more commonly referred to as a sort of automation control in some areas.

Pneumatics is a broad word that encompasses both the physical science of air compression and the discipline of mechanical engineering that deals with compressed air or gas applications.

The use of air pressure to power and move anything is known as Pneumatics. It is a branch of engineering that uses compressed air to move equipment and machines in the industrial, construction and engineering sectors.

An cylinder used in a pneumatic system

The word pneumatics is derived from the ancient Greek word v (pneuma), which is also the base form of the English word ‘pneumonia.’

Pneumatics are widely used by engineers in a variety of sectors, including medical, packaging, material handling, entertainment, and even robots. Pneumatics can also be beneficial in extremely particular situations where dangers are crucial, such as in mines, where a stray spark might spell catastrophe and result in the loss of lives.

Because air is easily compressible by nature, pneumatic systems have a tendency to absorb a lot of stress, which is advantageous in some applications. Most pneumatic systems run at roughly 100 psi, which is a small fraction of the 3,000 to 5000 psi that certain hydraulic systems encounter. As a result, pneumatics are often employed for relatively lesser loads.

An air compressor is often used in a pneumatic system to lower the volume of air and thereby increase the pressure of the gas. On its journey to the actuator, the pressured gas passes through pneumatic tubes and is regulated by valves. To keep the system running smoothly and the various components working effectively, the air supply must be filtered and checked on a regular basis. This also contributes to the system’s extended life.

The amount of control possible inside pneumatic systems has expanded dramatically in recent years (due to better electronics and componentry). Pneumatic systems used to be unable to compete with many equivalent electronic automation systems, but they are now experiencing a rebirth.

Pneumatics is increasingly being employed in novel ways that would have been inconceivable just a decade or two ago. Innovative applications ranging from robots to pneumatic muscles are frequently in the headlines, demonstrating not just the engineering community’s ingenuity, but also the technology’s inherent flexibility and adaptability.

Pneumatics is a simple and dependable method of moving items by using clean, dry air. Pneumatic systems in industrial automation systems employ compressed air to generate mechanical motion and power applications. Pneumatics may also be found in a variety of other applications, such as carnival attractions and vehicles, medical devices, and food preparation, as well as air tools and blow moulding.

An air compressor is used in pneumatics to lower the volume of air in order to raise its pressure. After that, it passes via a filter and into pneumatic tubing, where it is regulated by valves before reaching an actuator, which completes the process. It might be a cylinder or a gadget of some sort.

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Akash Shah
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