Benefits and disadvantages of pneumatics
Pneumatic systems are designs that use pressurized gas to power machines and tools. There are many disadvantages and advantages of pneumatic systems. Here is a short pro and con list comparison:
Source availability: Pneumatic systems require air to operate successfully. As a result of air being extremely abundant, and free, it is easy to restock the system.
Safety: As a result of pneumatic systems running on air, safety hazards are significantly reduced. There are limited occurrences of fires because air is non-flammable, and leakages in the system do not negatively effect the outside environment
Cost effectiveness: The initial cost of manufacturing a pneumatic device is minimal as a result of the low cost design materials. Plastics, zinc, and aluminum are all relatively affordable materials that are commonly found in pneumatic designs.
Cleanliness- As a result of the system being powered solely by air, the pneumatic device typically requires limited cleaning. Pressurized air constantly pushes out dirt or debris that get stuck in the system. If there is a blockage, the simplicity of the design also helps. Due to the limited amounts of tubes, the system can be easily disassembled and cleaned.
Maintenance- In order for the system to properly operate it must be lubricated with oil consistently but they have less plumbing than hydraulic systems.
Control and Speed- Air is a compressible gas, which makes control and speed in a pneumatic system more difficult, in comparison to electric or hydraulic systems. When specific speeds are needed, additional devices have to be attached to the pneumatic system in order to procure the desired result.
Maintenance- Pneumatic systems are less durable that hydraulic counterparts. Due to moisture accumulation the system can freeze up.
Safety: Pipes that feed the system air have the ability to move on uncontrollably on their own, which could cause serious injuries to those nearby
Environment suitability: Devices are known to fail over long periods of time due to the dampening of inside edges in the tubes. Additionally, systems cannot operate underwater and are sensitive to changing temperatures and vibrations
Loudness: Pneumatic systems are the loudest type of designs that power machines. Actuators that run the system are the source of the noise and are sometimes placed in a separate room to limit sound pollution.
Toxins and chemicals: Sometimes, pneumatic systems use hazardous chemicals in their design. This can result in accidental launches of chemicals into the air, which can be harmful to the surrounding environment.
Linear actuators can be powered by electricity, pressurized fluid, or air. In this post, we will break down the key advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons) of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric linear actuators. Additionally, you will be able to see the key differences of an electric over hydraulic linear actuator or a pneumatic over electric linear actuator, for example.
Browse our range of electric linear actuators
Browse Linear Actuators
Hydraulic linear actuators utilize a piston-cylinder configuration. An incompressible liquid from a pump fills the cylinder and forces the piston to move. With increased pressure, the piston moves linearly inside the cylinder, and the speed can be adjusted by changing the flow rate of the fluid. A high-speed hydraulic actuator is not only fast, but can supply a significant force. The piston returns to its retracted position by either a spring-back force or fluid being supplied to the opposite side.
Hydraulic actuators can hold a constant force without the pump supplying more fluid due to the use of an incompressible fluid.
They can produce very high forces and speeds.
It can produce high speeds.
Hydraulic fluid can leak, which leads to a loss in efficiency. This can also lead to cleanliness issues.
Require many accompanying components including a fluid reservoir, pumps, motors, release valves, heat exchangers, and noise reduction equipment.
High maintenance systems with numerous components to monitor constantly.
Link to Xingyu
Choose the right control system for your actuator and take a look through our range!
Browse Control Systems
Pneumatic actuators function in a similar way to hydraulic actuators with the difference being the driving fluid is air rather than hydraulic fluid. The gas is compressed in a piston-cylinder setup which creates a linear force.
A pneumatic linear actuator is very simple. Most aluminium cylinders have optimal maximum pressure ratings which allows for a range of forces.
A pneumatic linear actuator is often used in areas of extreme temperatures due to the safety of using air rather than hazardous chemicals or electricity.
It is a low-cost option.
Pressure losses and the compressibility of air make pneumatic devices less capable than other linear motion methods. A compressor must run continuously to maintain the operating pressure even if there is no movement needed.
Pneumatic actuators must be sized for a specific job in order to be efficient. This requires proportional sized valves, regulators, and compressors which raises the cost and complexity.
The air can be contaminated by oil or lubrication, leading to downtime and maintenance.
Electric linear actuators convert rotational motion into linear motion. Rotational motion is first generated by the electric motor. This high-speed rotational motion is then reduced by a gearbox to increase the torque that will be used to turn the lead screw. The turning of the lead screw results in linear motion of the acme drive nut. Think of it like driving a screw into a piece of wood, but rather than the screw moving towards the wood, the wood will be moving towards or away from the screw depending on the direction of rotation.
Electric linear actuators are adaptable, convenient, and provide the highest precision control!
Buy now
Electric actuators offer the highest precision.
Scalable for any purpose or force requirement.
They can be easily networked and programmed quickly. Immediate feedback for diagnostics and maintenance is available.
They provide complete control of motion, offering custom speeds, stroke lengths, and applied forces.
They are quieter than pneumatic and hydraulic actuators.
The initial cost is greater than that of pneumatic and hydraulic actuators.
They are not suitable for all conditions, whereas a pneumatic actuator is safe in hazardous and flammable areas.
The electric motors can be large.
Final Word
All three technologies have their place in the industry, but the flexibility of electric linear actuators, coupled with the fact that the price of electric components has been steadily decreasing over the years, makes them a more popular choice than they once were. Knowing what actuator is best for your application depends on your working environment.
If you require further assistance on selecting the right electric linear actuator for your application, give us a call at 1-800-676-, or us at .
Want more information on Electro Pneumatic Valve? Feel free to contact us.