1. Introduction to a Pneumatic System
Grade 6
Clip art from:

2. Objectives In this introduction:
You will develop an understanding of how pneumatics systems work.
You will identify the parts of a pneumatic system.

3. Pneumatics in our World
Pneumatics use compressed air to push, pull, lift, open and close.
Pneumatics are often used to move materials and position pieces for manufacturing.
Videoclip from:
Discovering Fluid Power: Hydraulics and Pneumatics at Work in Your World

4. Pneumatics - Compressed Air
Air is compressed by a pump.
When you push on the handle of a bicycle pump, for example, you are compressing the air and forcing it into a smaller space.
Click here to experiment with compressed air
Continue

5. Exploring Compressed Air
Let’s look at the parts of a pneumatic system.
When you push on the pump handle, you are compressing air and giving it energy.
The compressed air is sent to the cylinder to make the piston and the piston rod move.
The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Are you ready to test your knowledge?
Continue

6. Air is compressed by a pump.
Test Your Knowledge
Air is compressed by a pump.
Click on the pump.

7. Click on the cylinder, piston, and piston rod.
Test Your Knowledge
The air from the pump moves through the cylinder to push or pull the piston and piston rod.
Click on the cylinder, piston, and piston rod.

8. The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Test Your Knowledge
The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Click on the valve.

9. Correct!
When you push on the pump handle, you are compressing air and giving it energy.
Continue

10. The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Sorry!
You clicked on the valve.
Try Again!
The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.

11. Sorry! You clicked on the cylinder, piston, and piston road Try Again!
The compressed air is sent to the cylinder to make the piston and the piston rod move.

12. The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Sorry!
You clicked on the valve.
Try Again!
The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.

13. Sorry! You clicked on the pump. Try Again!
When you push on the pump handle, you are compressing air and giving it energy.

14. Correct!
The compressed air is sent to the cylinder to make the piston and the piston rod move.
Continue

15. Sorry! You clicked on the cylinder, piston, and piston road Try Again!
The compressed air is sent to the cylinder to make the piston and the piston rod move.

16. Sorry! You clicked on the pump. Try Again!
When you push on the pump handle, you are compressing air and giving it energy.

17. The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Correct!
The valve controls the direction of the compressed air.
Continue

18. References
National Grid for Learning. (n.d.) Looking at Pneumatic Pumps. September 22, 2006, from
Lego Dacta Pneumatics Guide, (1977). Denmark: The Lego Group.
Lego Education (Producer). Discovering Fluid Power: Hydraulics and Pneumatics at Work in Your World [Videocassette]. Milwaukee, WI: Lego Education.
Fotosearch Stock Photography and Stock Footage. (n.d.). Bicycle pump illustration. Retrieved September 22, 2006, from the World Wide Web:

19. About the Author
Jeanette Snider teaches Computer Technology at Sheridan Middle School.

20. Congratulations
Now that you know the parts of a pneumatic system, get the following supplies to build your own pneumatic system:
Green card set number 9617
Lego Pneumatics Kit