ME460 - pneumatics & hydraulic actuators
pneumatics
use air pressure to displace a piston -cheap -variety of shapes and sizes -repetitive motions from hard-stop to hard-stop -high force-to-weight ratio -large forces in a compact package
hydraulics
uses liquid fluids instead of air to displace a piston -withstand corrosive fluids -higher pressures than pneumatics -high forces -fast response system -INCOMPRESSIBLE -little energy stored -HIGHEST FORCE-TO-WEIGHT RATIO -open loop
how does a pneumatic actuator work?
pressure differential; - double-acting: either side of the piston can be pressurized or vented to the atmosphere
pneumatic system
- compressor/accumulator - pressure regulators - manifold - solenoid valves - flow regulators - pneumatic actuators