Sizing circuits for performance and efficiency: Here are some tips for right-sizing pneumatic systems

摘要

In today's manufacturing environments, pneumatics often provides ideal solutions for motion-control applications. Pneumatic systems are well suited for applications involving linear or rotary speeds of 4 m/sec (13 ft/sec) with forces up to 20 kN (4,500 lb). Linear actuators can come in stroke lengths as large as 10 m (33 ft) and, when coupled with a closed-loop system with a servocontroller and proportional valve, they can provide multiple speed, force, and positioning capabilities. With the advent of fieldbus networking, pneumatic components can be simply attached to a system with less wiring and with the added capability to create a centralized or decentralized valve system.