Pneumatic Help

[technicfan]

I am looking at building a pull scraper and want to make it work with Pneumatic's, I want to use 5 big rams, it needs 2 to lift the bowl, 2 to lift the apron and 1 to push the product out inside. I also want to use a compressor on it but was wondering if it will need 2 pumps. I don't have much experience with Pneumatic's so if anyone can help that would be great.

Edited January 18, 2013 by technicfan

[07jkearney]

2 pumps will provide greater airflow, and so make the cylinders work faster. But one pump would also work, albeit not as fast.

[technicfan]

Cool thanks, I was wondering how many switches would it need to operate the 3 functions separately?. What would be the best way to hook it all up?.

[Hopey]

Cool thanks, I was wondering how many switches would it need to operate the 3 functions separately?. What would be the best way to hook it all up?.

Each function would require a switch, so three switches. 2 of them will connect to two cylinders each.

I felt like drawing a picture:

[technicfan]

Thanks Hopey, if you were using 2 rams would they both work the same of would 1 be faster than the other?. Would a yellow or grey pump be better or are they both the same?.

Edited January 18, 2013 by technicfan

[Jetro]

Do the different operations need to be handled manually or do they form a sequence. If the latter is true, you may be able to build it in such a way that each operation triggers the next. In a best case scenario that would mean you'd still need the 3 switches. If there are problems with timing, you may need to use an additional switch and cylinder.

[Hopey]

Thanks Hopey, if you were using 2 rams would they both work the same of would 1 be faster than the other?. Would a yellow or grey pump be better or are they both the same?.

The coupled cylinders should provide the same force, and work at the same speed with the same load.

The newer grey pump has a longer stroke; you can offset the crank by 1L for a stroke of 2L. The older yellow and blue ones you have to offset the crank by 0.5L for a stroke of only 1L. I'm not sure if this means you get twice as much air pumped, but you certainly get more.

[Lakop]

I've just done some pneumatic building and practising. You can make two cylinders work off one switch but you will notice one cylinder will want to function first then the other will follow as the air comes through. As the system fills with air though then both, in my experience so far, will start to work together in tandem. I've got a mix of old and new cylinders, including a new tank and new tubing, and i'm finding they all work well together. Are you using an air tank in your set up?

H