2.  Air! A pneumatic assembly is one that converts energy stored in compressed air to mechanical energy. Electrical Energy Compressed air Mechanical force Compressor Release of air

3.  False!  Tiny investment, major returns  Requires only some heavy components  Pneumatics are usually very light in comparison to motors! › No heavy motors › No gearboxes › No sprockets, etc.

4.  FIRST made the rules much nicer this past year.  Unlimited air storage  Much lighter compressor

5.  Putting into motion  Motors rotate, cylinders extend and retract  Good in different situations Motors Pneumatics

6.  Pneumatics – good for fixed distances of travel  Motors – good for infinite travel  Examples: › Raising and lowering arm: fixed › Extending and retracting arm: fixed › Driving – infinite › Operating a belt – infinite › Spinning a wheel – infinite › Opening and closing a claw - fixed

9.  Pneumatics are not heavy!  If you need infinite motion, use motors. If you need a fixed distance of travel, use pneumatics. › Don’t try to use one for the other!

10.  How to build them!

11.  New (“Rookie”) Compressor  Old Compressor

12.  Simple Concept – stores air  Unlimited quantity

13.  FIRST requires that: › Max storage pressure: 120 psi › Max working pressure: 60 psi  Regulator does that!  In line between tanks and cylinders

14.  What actually does the moving!

15.  Bore Diameter: › The diameter of the bore (inside) of the cylinder. Increasing this increases force applied by the cylinder, but also increases air used.  Stroke Length: › The distance the piston travels when extending or retracting. Increasing this increases air used.

16.  The valve that controls air flow  Electronically controlled  2 types › Single-solenoid › Double-solenoid

17.  Tubing  Brass fittings  Safety pressure release valve  Tube connectors  Pressure sensor  Teflon tape