Pneumatics and Hydraulics Flashcards
Where are pneumatics systems used?
In factories which deal with compressed air
What is an example of pneumatics?
Exercise machines - a pneumatic cylinder will create resistance which can be changed with pressure
What is hydraulics?
A branch of science which involves the use of liquids as a source of mechanical force / control
What liquid is commonly used in hydraulics?
Oil
What is an example of hydraulic systems?
Car brakes - oil is used to squeeze pieces of metal and brake pads together over the break disk to stop the car
Why is hydraulics used in break systems over pneumatics?
Pneumatics is too rapid, if a car stopped at this rate the passengers would get injured, as hydraulics is slower it can smoothly bring the car to a stop
Why isn’t hydraulics used in Excercise systems?
Because it isn’t rapid enough and the pressure would be harder to change
What are the advantages of pneumatics?
- clean system (can be used in food manufacture - no oil leaks)
- higher compression rates (can offer rapid cylinder movement)
- can dump compressed air into the atmosphere (allows faster changes in direction / state)
What are the advantages of hydraulics?
- cheaper
* higher potential force (hydraulic systems can lift heavier loads smoothly)
What are the disadvantages of pneumatics?
- expensive (due to the amount of energy lost through heat while compressing air)
- low potential force (as air pressure fluctuates with with cylinder movement / load change makes it jerky)
What are the disadvantages of hydraulics?
- oil has to be rotated back to reservoir when it’s a change in direction is needed
- oil leaks means that it’s not clean
What is the difference in between hydraulic and pneumatic symbols?
Hydraulic is coloured in
What is pneumatics?
A branch of technology which deals with the mechanical properties of gases that produce mechanical motion
