Closing the Loop on Pneumatic Drive Control

April 16, 2015

A new servopneumatic proportional control system is intended for applications requiring simultaneous high speed and high force control for positioning a cylinder anywhere along its stroke.

Pneumatics holds many advantages over other power-transmission technologies used in factory automation. These include speed, repeatability, safety, reliability, cleanliness, low potential for heat buildup, and relatively high power density. However, pneumatics is often overlooked for applications requiring closed-loop position control.

Although pneumatics is usually called on for its rapid, pick-and-place capabilities, advances in software, electronic control, and valve design may start giving other technologies a run for their money. A case in point is the S2 servopneumatic proportional control system, from Enfield Technologies, Shelton, Conn.

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Enfieldâs S2 servopneumatic proportional system mains control of controls heavy loads at high speeds while positioning a cylinder anywhere along its stroke.

Enfield’s S2 Proportional Control System is intended for applications requiring high speed and high force control simultaneously for positioning a cylinder anywhere along its stroke. Speeds up to 2.0 m/sec can be achieved while decelerating the cylinder to a smooth, controlled stop. Doing so prevents premature cylinder wear and damage.

The system can maintain control of masses exceeding 50+ kg masses at speeds to 0.5 m/sec (20 in./sec) by choosing an appropriate operating pressure and cylinder bore. The accompanying table shows maximum controllable speeds for six different loads and four different cylinder bores. Values in the table are based on test results from typical setup: a 250-mm (10-in.) stroke guided horizontal cylinder with 5.5 bar (80 psi) inlet pressure. Changes in moving mass, cylinder orientation or other system parameters will impact maximum speed.