CIM & Automation Technology

Lecture 4 Further Electropneumatics

Automatic Return
The next diagrams show the pneumatic and electrical circuits for automatic
return of a single-acting cylinder using an electrical limit switch S2. The
cylinder extends when the pushbutton S1 is pressed momentarily and should
continue to extend after the pushbutton is released. When the cylinder has fully
extended the limit switch S2 is activated causing the cylinder to return
automatically.

Single-acting Cylinder Electrical Circuit

Simulation 1 below shows the cylinder retracted and the pushbutton S1 pressed.
The relay is then energised closing contacts K1. Simulation 2 below shows that
after S1 is released the latching contact K1 holds the relay on so the cylinder
will continue to extend. When the cylinder is fully extended the limit switch S2
is activated breaking the latching circuit. The relay is then de-energised opening
contacts K1 and the cylinder retracts.

Simulation 1 Simulation 2

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Automatic Cycling
The next diagrams show the pneumatic and electrical circuits for automatic
cycling of a single-acting cylinder using two electrical limit switches S2 and S3.
The cylinder will continue cycling as long as the start button S1 (usually a throw
switch or selector switch) is closed. Once the start switch is opened the cycle
will be completed before the cylinder stops moving.

Single-acting Cylinder Electrical Circuit

Simulation 1 below shows the cylinder retracted and the limit switch S2
activated. When the start button S1 is pressed the relay is energised closing
contacts K1. Simulation 2 below shows that after S2 is deactivated the latching
contact K1 holds the relay on so the cylinder will continue to extend. When the
cylinder is fully extended the limit switch S3 is activated breaking the latching
circuit. The relay is then de-energised opening contacts K1 and the cylinder
retracts activating limit switch S2.

Simulation 1 Simulation 2

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The next diagrams show the pneumatic and electrical circuits for automatic
cycling of a double-acting cylinder using limit switches S2 and S3. Since the
double solenoid valve has a memory feature there is no need to latch the output
Y1 on. A momentary signal to Y1 is enough to extend the cylinder. Note that
signals cannot be applied to Y1 and Y2 simultaneously (signal overlap).

Double-acting Cylinder Electrical Circuit

Simulation 1 below shows the cylinder retracted and the start button S1 pressed.
Since the cylinder is retracted limit switch S2 is activated and the relay K1 is
energised closing contact K1. Contact K1 switches on solenoid Y1 and the
cylinder extends. Simulation 2 below shows that when the cylinder is fully
extended the limit switch S3 is activated energising relay K2. Contact K2
switches on solenoid Y2 and the cylinder retracts activating limit switch S2.
The cylinder will continue to cycle as long as the start button S1 is closed. If the
start button S1 is opened the cycle will be completed before the cylinder stops
moving.

Simulation 1 Simulation 2

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Time Delays (Single-acting Cylinder)

A time delay can be produced by a delay-on or delay-off relay. In the next
electrical circuit a delay-off relay is used to produce a time delay before a
single-acting cylinder retracts. When the start button is pressed limit switch S2
is activated and the relay coil K1 energises. After the cylinder extends and limit
switch S3 is activated breaking the latch, the relay coil K1 de-energises but there
is a delay before the contacts K1 open. This can be seen in the simulation
shown below.

Electrical Circuit Simulation

In the next electrical circuit a delay-on relay is used to produce a time delay
before a single-acting cylinder extends. When the start button is pressed limit
switch S2 is activated and the relay coil K1 energises but there is a delay before
contacts K1 close. This can be seen in the simulation below. After the cylinder
extends and limit switch S3 is activated breaking the latch, the relay coil then
de-energises and the contacts K1 open.

Electrical Circuit Simulation

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Time Delays (Double-acting Cylinder)

In the next electrical circuit a delay-on relay is used to produce a time delay
before a double-acting cylinder retracts. When the cylinder extends and limit
switch S3 is activated the relay coil K2 energises but there is a delay before
contacts K2 close. This can be seen in the simulation shown below. When the
cylinder retracts and limit switch S3 is deactivated the relay coil de-energises
and the contacts K2 open.

Electrical Circuit Simulation

In the next electrical circuit a delay-on relay is used to produce a time delay
before a double-acting cylinder extends. When the start button is pressed limit
switch S2 is activated and the relay coil K1 energises but there is a delay before
contacts K1 close. This can be seen in the simulation below. When the cylinder
extends limit switch S2 is deactivated. The relay coil K1 then de-energises and
the contacts K1 open.

Electrical Circuit Simulation

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