ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Week 1 – Familiarization with simple pneumatics
Learning Objectives
The student who successfully completes this lab will be able to:
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Identify and explain the function of a lubricator in the conditioning stage of a pneumatic
Identify and explain the function of a filter
Identify and explain the function of a regulator
Identify the types of pneumatic actuators from their schematic symbols
Explain the difference between single-acting and double-acting cylinders
Identify and explain the function of manual , air piloted, and solenoid valves
Draw schematic symbols for pneumatic components
Draw the schematic of a simple pneumatic circuit
Build simple pneumatic circuits based on given schematic
Describe the function of air logic circuits
Identify applications for air logic circuits
Explain the direction of air flow within a pneumatic circuit
Trouble shoot any faults that occur in the construction or operation of a pneumatic circuit
Equipment (typical example components from SMC are listed in parentheses)
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Manual switch (VHK2-04F-04F)
Shuttle valve (VR1210F-04)
T-valve (KQ2T04-00A)
Two 3/2 NC single solenoid valves (SYJ512-5LZD-M5)
5/2 NC single solenoid valve (SYJ5220-5LZD-C4)
Speed controller (AS20002F-04)
Double acting cylinder
4 mm diameter pneumatic tubing (TU0604BU-100)
5, 12, or 24 V power supply
ULN2803 Octal driver
Solderless breadboard
Procedure
This manual is written to walk through the first pneumatic experiment with students. The
experiment is divided into three sections to get students familiar with simple pneumatics and
give them different kinds of learning experiences. It will demonstrate the basic operations of
simple pneumatic components. It will also help you apply what you have learned in lectures
about pneumatics and show you the various possibilities of pneumatic systems. However,
pneumatic systems operate with pressurized air and they require safe and responsible handling in
San José State University Department of Mechanical Engineering
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
the laboratory. Careless handling may hurt people and damage components. Please be careful
with the components and follow instructions.
When you are doing this lab, build the pneumatic circuits following the steps below and make
observations on how the actuators react to input signals. Take notes where needed for post-lab
report.
Part 1
1. Build the circuit using pneumatic tubing and components provided
a. Get five 10-inch pneumatic tubing
b. Connect the air input to a manual switch
c. Connect the manual switch to the input of the manifold
d. Connect the output of a 3/2 solenoid valve to a speed controller
e. Connect the output of the speed controller to one of the inputs of the double
acting cylinder
f. Connect the output of another 3/2 solenoid valve directly to the other input of the
double acting cylinder
2. Interface the Arduino with solenoid valves using the ULN2803 octal driver
a. Plug the ULN2803 octal driver onto the breadboard
b. Connect the Arduino digital signal outputs to the inputs of the ULN2803 octal
driver
c. Plug the “ground” legs of the solenoid valves into the outputs of the ULN2803
octal driver
d. Connect the “positive” legs of the solenoid valves to the “positive” port of the
power supply
e. Also connect the “COM” port of the ULN2803 octal driver to the “positive” port
of the power supply
f. Ground the Arduino, the ULN2803 octal driver, as well as the power supply
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Solenoid
valve
Arduino
ULN
2803
COM
+
Power supply
3. Make sure all the tubing is deeply enough inserted into the fittings, and then adjust the
regulator to desired pressure
4. Turn on the manual switch and let air flow through the system
5. Study the circuit and make observations on the cylinder and the valves
6. Activate one of the solenoid valves by modifying the example sketch “Blink” or the
sample code attached in the appendix and make observations on the cylinder and the
valves
7. Activate the other solenoid valve while deactivating the previous one and make
observations on the cylinder and the valves
8. Activate both solenoid valves and make observations on the cylinder and the valves
9. Play with the speed controller and notice changes made to the movement of the cylinder
10. Close the manual switch
11. Disassemble the circuit
12. Fill out the truth table below based on the observations you make
Input 1
Input 2
Output
1
2
3
4
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Part 2
1. Build the circuit using pneumatic tubing and components provided
a. Get five 10-inch pneumatic tubing
b. Connect input to a manual switch
c. Connect the manual switch to the manifold
d. Connect an output of the 3/2 solenoid valve to the input of a portable 5/2 solenoid
valve
e. Connect the two outputs of the 5/2 solenoid valve to the double acting cylinder
2. Repeat steps 2 to 12 from part 1
Input 1
Input 2
Output
1
2
3
4
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Part 3
1. Build the circuit using pneumatic tubing and components provided
a. Get seven 10-inch pneumatic tubing
b. Connect input to a manual switch
c. Connect the manual switch to the manifold
d. Connect the outputs of the two 3/2 solenoid valves to the input of a shuttle valve
e. Connect the output of the shuttle valve to the input of a portable 5/2 solenoid
valve
f. Connect the two outputs of the 5/2 solenoid valve to the double acting cylinder
2. Repeat steps 2 to 12 from part 1
Input 1
Input 2
Input 3
Output
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Deliverables
A lab report should be generated consisting of the following items, but not limited to, after this
lab.
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Circuit diagrams with formal ISO symbols
Each circuit element should be labeled with an unique item number
Step-by-step operations for circuits using item numbers
Questions to be answered
o What is the function of a filter?
o What is the function of a regulator?
o What is the function of a dryer?
o What is difference between a single-acting cylinder and a double-acting cylinder?
o What is the function of a solenoid valve?
o What logical functions did the circuits execute?
o What are some applications for these circuits?
A truth table for each of the circuits
Fully documented code and circuit schematic.
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ME 190 Mechanical Systems Design
Pneumatics Lab 1
Appendix- Arduino code for driving solenoid valves
int solenoid = 13;
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {
// initialize the digital pin as an output.
pinMode(solenoid, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
digitalWrite(solenoid, HIGH); // turn on
delay(1000);
// the delay before it turns off
digitalWrite(solenoid, LOW);
delay(1000);
// turn off
// the delay before it turns back on
}
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