In this tutorial we will try to understand each pneumatic component in detail. So let us take each component one by one.

1. Air Compressor:

   A compressor compresses air up to the required pressure. It converts the mechanical energy of motors and engines to potential energy of compressed air. The task performed by a compressor is same as a cycle pump but the same task is accomplished by a motor.
   

2. Air Service Unit:

   This is present after a compressor in a pneumatic circuit. The function of this system is to remove dust particles, moisture, humidity etc. from the compressed air.There several parts in an air service unit which is also called an air preparation system.

   • Filter

     removes impurities present in compressed air before it is delivered to the pneumatic components

   • Pressure Regulator:

     allows us to regulate pressure manually

   • Lubricator:

     .provides lubrication for pneumatic components
     

3. Pneumatic Pipes:

   These are hollow polyurethane pipes which are used to transport air from one component to other.

4. Control Valves:

   Valves generally alter the flow of air. These can be controlled either manually, electrically or pneumatically.
   These are basically of two types:

   • Direction Control Valves

     Direction control valves are pneumatic switching elements. They are used to control various pneumatic actuators. A pneumatic valve is represented by ‘a/b’ where ‘a’ represents number of ports and ‘b’ represents the number of positions any valve can have. For example a normal electrical switch can be called 2/2, it has 2 ports (+ and -) and 2 positions (ON and OFF). There are various valves like 2/2, 3/2, 5/2, 5/3, 4/2 etc. Each valve has its own symbol. A typical symbol of a pneumatic valve contains 2 or more squares. The number of squares represents number of switching positions of the valve.
     

   • Flow Control Valves:

     A Flow control valve is a valve that controls the flow of air. Examples include non-return valves, one way flow control valves, shuttle
     valves, etc.We will talk more about control valves in Tutorial 4.

5. Actuators:

   An Actuator is a component which can undergo linear, rotary or reciprocating motion. Cylinders are very common actuators in pneumatics but pneumatics motors also find its place in pneumatic applications. When we talk about cylinders, basically they are of two types:

   • Single Acting Cylinders
   • Double Acting Cylinders

In the next tutorial, we will talk about more about the Pneumatic Cylinders. Just click the continue button to go the next tutorial.