Pneumatics

1
Pneumatics

• By Steven Dungan
• and
• Keith Wiseman

2
What is pneumatics?

• Pneumatic Having to do with a system that uses
  the force of gas, usually air to do work
  (Hutchinson and Karsnitz, p.325, 1994)

3
What is a system?

• A system is a method or way of doing something
  incorporating related parts in an orderly
  arrangement.
• (Websters Dictonary, 1996)

4
What is special about a pneumatic system?

• -Pneumatic fluids are considered gases and are
  compressible
• -Pneumatic systems are not complete circuits.
  Air is used to do work and is then dumped into
  the atmosphere
• -Pneumatic work is done by the creation of
  pressure (psi) on an area

5
Timeline History

• The first pneumatic device was a hand-bellow used
  by smelter and blacksmiths for working steel
  about the 1st century A.D. (www.britannica.com)

6
Timeline History

• In 1866 a four-cylinder compressor was used in
  construction in North Adams, Massachusetts.
• (www.britannica.com)

7
Timeline History

• - During the 1900s pneumatics use increase
  dramatically. Some uses where
• automatic machinery, labor saving devices,
  automatic controls. (www.britannica.com)

8
What are the main parts of a pneumatics systems?

• -cylinder
• -release / port valve
• -flow regulator
• -piston
• -compressor

9
What is a good example of a pneumatic system?

• -Air nail gun
• -Impact wrench
• -Aerosol can products
• -Jackhammer
• -Paint gun (sprayer)

10
What is an exciting way to study pneumatic
systems?

• One good way of learning about the principles of
  pneumatics is by constructing and testing a Spud
  Gun.

11
How did Spud Guns originate?

• Research shows that about 35 years ago people
  started to make cannons that would propel tennis
  balls long distances. These early canons where
  made of steel cans and duct tape. The also used
  mostly hairspray or some kind of aerosol
  propellant to fuel the system. (www.goldman.com/sp
  udgun/history.html)

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Why is a Spud Gun relevant to pneumatics
systems?

• The main reason that a Spud Gun is relevant is
  because it contains the main parts of a pneumatic
  system. It also is powered by the used of
  compressed air.

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What is the main design of the Spud Gun?
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What is it that the Spud Gun needs to become
more user friendly?

• -All guns dating back many years have
  incorporated the use of handles. This provides
  better safety and accuracy.
• -Also guns have triggers. Most Spud Guns used
  lantern lighters for ignition. We felt that a
  grill igniter set would be more efficient and
  safe. It is also another type of system
  incorporated into the design.

15
What is the main design of the our adapted Spud
Gun?
16
Bibliography

• Hutchinson, J. Karsnitz, J. (1994). Design and
  problem solving in technology. Glencoe/Mcgraw
  Hill Peoria, Illinois.
• Schwaller, A. Transportation, energy, and power
  technology. (1989). Delmar Publishers Inc.
  Albany New York.
• http//www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/589
  3/
• http//www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu62018toci
  d5799

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Bibliography (cont)

• www.goldman.com/spudgun/history.html