Multiple pneumatic pistons

[ElvaR696]

I'm working on a system where I require 20 individual pneumatic pistons of varying sizes to be activated using switches. Each one is going to be a double actuating piston, and I need them to be activated be hitting a switch. Push one switch it goes one way, and stops and holds as soon as the switch is released. and push the other it goes the other way and again stops and holds as soon as its released.

Pistons are ranging in size from .5 inches in diameter up to 3 inches.

It's going to be a constant pressure for all pistons to work on, so I don’t need any regulators that I'm aware off (about 150 to 300 psi)

This is the first work I have done in pneumatics so any help would apprentice

 

[Compositepro]

They are called pneumatic cylinders. Double acting pneumatic cylinders are controlled by 4-way or 5-way valves. The valve can be manual or electric or pneumatically actuated. Switches can be electric or pneumatic. For most applications you must also use speed control valves with the cylinders.

This should help get your education started:

http://digital-edition.hydraulicspneumatics.com/?iid=6c0e10a2

 

[MikeHalloran]

Uh, "... stops and holds ..." doesn't really apply to pneumatics, unless they are equipped with transducers and a closed loop positioning system. ... at which point open loop closed center hydraulic systems become cheaper.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[hydtools]

You could do stop and hold with pneumatics if you had rod clamps which are pressure release type or some other load holding device. But it is less complicated if you use hydraulics.

Ted

 

[ElvaR696]

ok, thank you guys for the input, sounds like I need to use hydraulics then. how light weight can those pumps be to still give a large amount of power. and also what other equipment would I need to use them independently of each other

 

[hydtools]

What to you is a large amount of power and light weight?
What are your operating parameters?

Ted

 

[LittleInch]

Elvar696 - If this is going to go any further you need to tell us details about your system. Hydraulic pumps are relatively small, but the size and weight of an HPU is usually governed by the size of the accumulators and hydraulic storage vessels to provide a smooth and reliable hydraulic pressure and flow, especially if your flow is very variable.

You need a manifold with a series of electrically operated 3 way hydraulic solenoids. You can arrange it so that your button allows fluid into one side whilst allowing fluid out of the other side back to the reservoir and then when you release the button, both valves close to fairly rigidly hold the actuator at its fixed point. All pretty basic stuff.

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way