Pneumatics can source its origins to the first century, but it wasn’t until centuries later that people began to truly understand and apply the concepts of this fluid power technology.
In 1600, German physicist Otto von Guericke invented the first vacuum pump using pressurized air. The industrial revolution helped turn pneumatics into an industry in and of itself, and the technology has continued to evolve and advance ever since.
Pneumatics is a power transmission technology which uses compressed air to transmit energy and force. It tends to operate at lower pressures but can provide quick, accurate movements. Factory automation is a large application sector for pneumatics, but the technology is used in a range of others as well including brake systems for heavy trucks and buses, packaging and processing operations and many others.
This media gallery is part of our coverage honoring Power & Motion's 75th anniversary and the many innovations which have taken place in hydraulics and pneumatics during that time.
Visit our State of the Industry hub for more coverage related to our 75th anniversary as well as other insights from members of the industry on the current and future state of fluid power.
Over the last 75 years, Power & Motion has covered the many innovations which have taken place in the pneumatics sector such as the greater incoroporation of electronics to enhance performance and data collection capabilities.
In this media gallery you'll find images of some of these innovations in pneumatics which help demonstrate the evolution they've taken over the last several decades.
About the Author
Sara Jensen
Executive Editor, Power & Motion
Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies.
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