Rochester Institute of Technology

Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology

&
Packaging Science

0610 – 305 – 10

Hydraulics and Pneumatics Lab Report

Lab #2:

Cylinder Control & Pneumatic Actuation

Control of both single acting and double acting pneumatic

Cylinder using push buttons and bi-stable valves

By

Nick Higgins

Group Members:
Frank Worczak
Neil Sanders
Date Performed: 09/20/12
Date Submitted: 9/27/12
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Cylinder Control & Pneumatic Actuation

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................2

2.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................3
2.1 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................................3
2.2 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................................4
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF TEST ....................................................................................................................................5
3.1 CIRCUITS. TESTS AND RESULTS ............................................................................................................................5
4.0 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................................8
5.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................................8

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main goal of this experiment is to understand and complete three different pneumatic system
builds. In order to complete the construction of these three pneumatic systems, full understanding of
each component in the system is required.

The three systems built in this experiment are:

1. Direct command of a single acting cylinder
2. Indirect command of a double acting cylinder
3. Indirect command of a double acting cylinder with a bi-stable valve (flip-flop valve)

Using the ISO diagrams generated in the prelab, construction of the pneumatic system should be as
easy as following the generated diagram and hooking up the actual equipment to match the orientation in
the ISO diagrams.
The results of this experiment consists of each section of the experiment successfully being built
during lab. If the system is constructed properly, it should carry out the intended function. This
experiment proved to be a success; each different pneumatic system was correctly constructed, yielding
an output of the correct functionality of the actuation cylinder being driven.
Correct functionality is outlined below:
Section 1: When the push button is pressed the cylinder extends, and when the push button is released
the cylinder retracts back to its original position
Section 2: The monostable valve lever must be actuated, then when the push button is pressed, it
activates the extension of the cylinder. When the push button is released, the cylinder retracts back to its
original position.
Section 3: Two buttons are used to control the double acting cylinder. When button 1 is pressed, it
activates the extension of the cylinder. When button 2 is pressed, it retracts the cylinder back to its
original position.
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2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Background

This lab served as an educational experience to enhance our understanding of a simple

pneumatic system. In the previous lab, (Lab 1), we dealt with a hydraulic system, which has many
similarities but also some differences between that and the pneumatic system. The main difference
between hydraulic systems and pneumatic systems is the fluid that is used to transmit power in the
pneumatic system is a compressible fluid. Basic concepts such as flow rate, pressure change, and power
are still applicable in this lab. The tool used to move the fluid in the pneumatic system is now a
compressor, (in lab we actually didn’t use a compressor, we used a constant feed of pressurized air),
opposed to the pump used to move the fluid in the hydraulic systems.

The new component used in this lab is the bi-stable valve. The bi-stable valve allows for two
separate inputs and outputs to be regulated, most of the time this is done with two push buttons or
switches. Each button pilots the bi-stable valve to move only one way, with two buttons, the valve is able
to be switched in either orientation. This valve is placed between the bush buttons and the cylinder,
causing the cylinder to retract or extend when the push buttons are actuated.

The single acting pneumatic cylinder is used in one of the experiments (APCN201) and it only
uses the pressurized fluid to move the cylinder in one direction. When the push button is actuated, the
spring loaded 3/2 valve allows for pressurized fluid to move into the cylinder chamber. When the button
is released, the valve shifts back to its neutral position, and since the cylinder is spring loaded, it pushed
the fluid in the chamber back out to the valve, which then vents the fluid out of the system.

The second experiment (APCN203) utilizes a double acting cylinder, which is moved by the effect
of a spring-return 5/2 monostable valve. When the push button is pressed, movement of a 3/2 valve
allows for fluid to flow into the cylinder. When the push button is released, the 3/2 valve moves again,
allowing for the fluid to change direction, which makes it retract the cylinder by flowing into the opposite
side of the chamber.

The third experiment (APCN204) utilizes two push buttons (each piloting a 3/2 valve) to control
the position of a 5/2 bistable (flip-flop) valve. The bistable valve is used as a memory function because
when a push button is actuated, it moves the 5/2 valve into position and the valve stays in that position
until the other side push button is actuated.
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Cylinder Control & Pneumatic Actuation

2.2 Goals and Objectives

Before starting this lab, it was completely necessary to identify the components used in each lab. Our
goal and objective is focusing how to do control of single and double acting cylinders in various ways.
One specific objective is to be able to differentiate between single-acting and double-acting cylinders.
The experiment required us to build a system that would actuate a single-acting cylinder, spring loaded in
the retracted position. We also needed to actuate a double-acting cylinder indirectly through a 5-way pilot
valve. During the process of constructing the three pneumatic systems, the only way to proceed and
complete the system was to have an understanding of the flip-flop valves. We were able to identify and
understand the main components of these systems, including what their functions are. Functions of these
components are listed in the “Background” section.
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3.0 DESCRIPTION OF TEST

3.1 Circuits. Tests and results

Experiment APCN201: In this system a three-way valve is used to control a single acting cylinder. The
return stroke of the cylinder is accomplished by using a compression spring located at the rod end of the
cylinder. When the push button valve is actuated the cylinder actuates forward. When the button is
released, the cylinder returns back to its original state.

APCN201 Lab #2 Nick Higgins

Figure 1: ISO Diagram for APCN201

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Experiment APCN203: In this system, activation of a monostable 3/2 control valveis used to control a
double-acting cylinder. When the push button to actuate the 3/2 valve is pressed, the cylinder extends.
When the button is released the cylinder returns back to its original position because of the spring loaded
3/2 valve.

APCN203 Lab #2 Nick Higgins

Figure 2: ISO Diagram for APCN203

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Cylinder Control & Pneumatic Actuation

Experiment APCN204: Double acting cylinder is driven by an air-piloted 5/2 bistable valve. A push
button will activate two 3/2 valves which will provide the signals to activate the bistable valve in both
directions to move the cylinder. One button controls the extension phase of the cylinder, the other button
controls the retraction phase of the cylinder.

APCN204 Lab #2 Nick Higgins

Figure 3: ISO Diagram for APCN204

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4.0 CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, it can be observed that the ISO diagram that is created before the actual construction
of the pneumatic system proves to be beneficial to the understanding and accuracy of the actual
constructed system. Because of a misunderstanding between the students and the teacher, only two ISO
diagrams are correct. This only made the actual construction process go less smooth, but in the end we
were able to correctly construct all three pneumatic systems.

It was helpful to have completed the preliminary schematics before the actual construction of the
pneumatic system. It is proven that a correct preliminary schematic will simplify the build process in the
future. Once the actual pneumatic circuit was constructed it provided a full-circle understanding of the
circuit, and it tied the theoretical drawings to the actual constructed circuit. This lab is a good introduction
to the order and processes of each component in the pneumatic system.

It can be concluded that the bi-stable valve is more useful in terms of variable switch times. Instead
of the push button staying depressed the whole time the cylinder needs to be extended, a bi-stable valve
can be used so one push and release of the button moves the valve into position, where it will maintain
that position. In some applications it will be fine to use the monostable valves to control the cylinder, but
the bistable valve just seems more practical in manufacturing applications. For longer cylinder actuation
times, a bistable valve allows for the operator to push a button once and more on to the next task.

5.0 REFERENCES
Esposito, Anthony. Fluid Power with Applications. 6th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2006.
Print.

Fluid Power Designers' Lightning Reference Handbook. 8th ed. Tulsa, OK: Berendsen Fluid Power,
2001. Print.