Pneumatic devices are used in many industrial applications. Generally appropriate for applications involving less force than hydraulic applications, and typically less expensive than electric applications, most pneumatic devices are designed to use clean dry air as an energy source. The actuator then converts that compressed air into mechanical motion. The type of motion produced depends on the design of the actuator.
Pneumatics is employed in a variety of settings. In dentistry applications, pneumatic drills are lighter, faster and simpler than an electric drill of the same power rating (because the prime mover, the compressor, is separate from the drill and pumped air is capable of rotating the drill bit at extremely high rpm).
Pneumatic transfer systems are employed in many industries to move powders and pellets. Pneumatic tubes can carry objects over distances. Pneumatic devices are also used where electric motors cannot be used for safety reasons, such as mining applications where rock drills are powered by air motors to preclude the need for electric motors deep in the mine where explosive gases may be present.
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Pneumatic logic is a reliable and functional control method for industrial processes. In recent years these systems have largely been replaced by electrical control systems, due to the size of the logic units and cost versus their electrical counterparts. They are still in use in processes where compressed air is the only energy source available or upgrade cost, safety, and other considerations outweigh the advantage of modern digital control.
Industrial pneumatics may be contrasted with hydraulics, which uses incompressible liquid media such as oil or water instead of air. Air is compressible, is considered to be a fluid, and most industrial applications use approximately 80 to 100 pounds per square inch (psi) (500 to 700 kilopascals) gauge pressure, as compared to hydraulics which are commonly used from 1,000 to 5,000 psi (0.7 to 3.5 MPa), and in some cases 10,000 psi (7 MPa) and higher. Both pneumatics and hydraulics are applications of fluid power.
Physical pneumatic principles conclude that the pressure forms in compressible liquids can be harnessed to a high potential of power. This gives us new potential of several pneumatically powered operations and henceforth creates many new devices which we may use to power our world.
Common industrial pneumatic components include:
- pneumatic direct operated solenoid valve
- pneumatic pilot operated solenoid valve
- pneumatic external piloted solenoid valve
- pneumatic manual valve
- pneumatic valve with air pilot actuator
- pneumatic filter
- pneumatic pressure regulator
- pneumatic lubricator
- pneumatic pressure switch
- pneumatic manual OSHA-type lock out and dump valve
- pneumatic solenoid dump valve
- pneumatic pressure vessel
- pneumatic rodless cylinder
- pneumatic gripper
- pneumatic rotary actuator
- pneumatic fitting
- pneumatic flow control
- pneumatic quick exhaust valve
- pneumatic pressure booster
- pneumatic polyurethane tubing
- pneumatic quick disconnect
- sorteberg relay
- pneumatic process controller
- control valve
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