Considering the fact that so many people use air compresses that are powered by electricity, you might be under the impression that electro-pneumatic technology doesn’t go any further than this. That being said, when technologists use the name electro-pneumatic control system, they normally mean a class of components that incorporate both electrical and compressed air-driven technology on a particularly close level.
You might have taken an interest in various devices, such as electrical sensors that look out for static and fan ionizers that use an eternal source of voltage to help eliminate sources of it. While these are both electrically powered to at least some degree, you’ll more than likely find a wide array of components that would help you gain a greater degree of control over your industrial workflows. Take a few moments to note what sorts of devices you’d want to automate or rework. Once you do, you might be in possession of a list of areas where you could complement your current installation with an electro-pneumatic tool.
Defining Electro-Pneumatic Control Systems
Various types of switches and solenoid valves have been used to compliment a physical compressed-air driven system. These utilize electrical current to switch the position of different valves and junctions. You could theoretically control the flow of compressed air with a push-button using this kind of technology. Some people prefer to wire all of these devices into a single panel, which is an attractive solution for those who have to manage a whole set of pneumatic devices from a central location.
You might also be interested in connecting a system using various types of solenoid valves, which utilize electrical coil windings to actuate a valve’s moving components. When current passes over the coil, it trips the system and moves the direction of air. The flow of air from a compressor or pressurized container is going to then remain relatively constant. Think of the flow as something like water flowing through a passage. Once it fills up, the system remains under pressure without using any more fluid.
Using these components doesn’t require a great deal of additional training either. Anyone with at least a working knowledge of basic electrical theory can install them in an existing air circuit.
Planning An Electro-pneumatic Layout
Anyone who is used to sketching a diagram of traditional pneumatic equipment will find no difficulty with this step. Even those who are new to the process only have to learn a series of circuit diagram symbols that are commonly used across the industry. If you’ve already learned to read and write electrical and pneumatic charts, then you can put your current skills involving the use of schematics to work. It really is that simple.
In fact, SMC Pneumatics has at times offered additional documentation that’s designed to help those who are new to the field learn more about it. Once you’re done with the layout planning you’ll be ready to pick up a thing or two about the construction and operation of this kind of equipment.
Working With Sophisticated Electrical Components
Solenoid valves and other types of electro-pneumatic switches can be arranged in specialty layouts that allow them to act as logic control systems. This enables an additional degree of control over the flow of air through various gates in much the same way that electricity passes through logic gates in a digital circuit.
This follows the concept of a finite state machine, which dictates that a system might only exhibit certain properties when it’s in a particular state. As the name suggests, there’s only ever a limited number of these.
For instance, air might be allowed to pass through one specific valve whenever one event happens that closes all others. As conditions change, some of these other passages might open electrically while others close off and prevent the flow of any further air from passing through.
Over time, you might want to lay a series of directional control valves out that further allow your operators to manipulate the passage of air through a system. It’s only a few more steps to automate your workflows and reach a greater level of control over otherwise complicated processes.
Technicians have also installed somewhat automated relays that redirect the flow of electricity, which in turn can redirect where air is going. The valves in this kind of system would be actuated whenever the electrical systems changed positions, which means you wouldn’t even have to come into physical contact with anything in order to manipulate the flow.
Memory control systems can follow predetermined courses of action that are stored within electrical memory coordinates, which is an attractive option for those who might have otherwise had to do additional work whenever they reset the workpieces laid out on the assembly line that their organization is working with.
More than likely, you’ll want to take a look into other sophisticated options as well. For instance, coordinated motion controls can help you ensure that everything is moving in time with all of the other parts on a consistent basis.
Since electro-pneumatic equipment runs off of standard voltages by way of transformers, you can normally operate them off of regular mains current without making any modifications to your existing electrical system. Everything is processed by an onboard power supply much in the same way a small charging block converts line voltage into something useful for re-powering phones and tablets.
That also means that this kind of equipment shouldn’t generate too much additional heat and noise. Compressed air-driven gear is often deployed in situations where neither of these are acceptable, so it’s good to know that you should be able to find electro-pneumatic modules that won’t boost either of these to high levels. Naturally, all pieces of equipment you work with will generate some extra heat or sound, but you shouldn’t have to worry too much about extraneous or spurious emissions.
No matter what sort of equipment you’re planning on investing in, you can be sure that you can find every component that you need for your next installation right here.
Find Electro-Pneumatic Gear For Your Organization At SMC Pneumatics
SMC Pneumatics is ready to set up your system. When working with compressed air-driven equipment, you probably want to find standard components that all make use of fittings that interface with one another seamlessly.
Take a few moments to write about the sort of electro-pneumatic components you need to revolutionize the way you work. Once you’re ready to learn more about what options are available on the market, contact SMC Pneumatics online. Our team of experts will be sure to help you find reliable components that are compatible with the kinds of workflows you’ve been planning all along.