Have been affected by pneumatics today? What a silly question. Of course you have! You just didn’t know it. In fact, pneumatics have much more of an impact on your life than you might think. First, what are they?

The term "pneumatics is typically used to refer to a branch of technology used almost exclusively in the industrial sector to control machinery. While there are a number of ways to control various types of machinery, one of the most effective, efficient, and most popular methods is through pneumatics.

Pneumatic systems make use of canisters of compressed air or specialized gasses to then exert a force on a wide array of pistons and machine parts. These pistons and components then provide the necessary movement required by the machine to accomplish its given task.

While the possibilities are vast when it comes to operating any type of system, Pneumatic systems are one of the simplest methods – which in turn makes them one of the most prevalent as well.

Pneumatic systems are comprised of a few major parts. First, there’s the compressor. The compressor is a pump that compresses air, raises it to a higher pressure, and then delivers it into the actual pneumatic system. This process can also be used to generate a force that pulls (a vacuum) instead of a force that pushes.

Next, there is the check valve and the directional valve. A check valve is a one-way valve that is used to grant the pressurized air access to the pneumatic system while at the same time preventing backflow. The directional valve actively controls the direction of the airflow to its correct source.

You might ask, "What happens if too much air is permitted into the system?" For that there is the accumulator, which stores compressed air to prevent potentially dangerous surges in pressure while also ensuring efficient operation.

Finally, there’s the actuator. Pneumatic actuators convert the stored compressed air into actual mechanical motion. Typical pneumatic actuators are comprised of a piston, a cylinder, and a configuration of valves and ports. In pneumatic systems, the motion created by the actuator is usually rotary or linear.

Pneumatics make quite a few things possible. While you might not realize it, they actually have a profound impact on our every day lives. For example, pneumatic systems are frequently used in…

• Air brakes on busses and trucks

• Air compressors

• Pneumatic air guns

• Pneumatic mail systems

• Pneumatic motors

• Jackhammers

• Nail guns

• Pressure regulators

• Vacuum pumps

• And much more

So as you can see, from mass production and manufacturing to the jackhammers that fix your roads and the busses that drive on them – pneumatics have a pronounced impact in a number of ways.