Introduction To Fluid Power

Upon completion of this lesson students should be able to…

List at least three uses for fluid power. Understand how fluid power impacts

our daily lives. Compare and contrast hydraulic and

pneumatic systems. Identify the four main components of a

fluid power system.

A system that transmits and controls energy through the use of pressurized liquid or gas

Pneumatics - the media used is air Hydraulics - the media used is oil or

water

What is Fluid Power ?

Operation of heavy or hot materials

Unloading of hoppers in manufacturing, steel making, mining and chemical industries

What can Fluid Power Do ?

Crop spraying

Paint Spraying

Holding and

moving parts or

assemblies in

manufacturing

What can Fluid Power Do ?

More Fluid Power Examples Jig (guides cutting tool)

and Fixture (stationary work holding) clamping

Forming operations of bending, drawing and flattening

Bottling and filling machines

Machine tool changing

Component and material conveyor transfer

Robots Dentist drills vacuum lifting for

thin sheet materials

What can Fluid Power Do ?

Gases can be compressed Environmentally friendly and readily

available Pneumatic systems operate at lower

pressure compared to hydraulics Typically loud during loading and

operation Usually more economical

Pneumatic System Characteristics

Fluids are relatively incompressible Spills are not environmentally friendly

and readily available Hydraulic systems operate at higher

pressure compared to pneumatics Smooth predictable motion Oil lubricates and cools moving parts

Hydraulic System Characteristics

TankTank

The tank holds/stores the fluid or air that The tank holds/stores the fluid or air that powers the system.powers the system.

PumpPump

The pump drives or pressurizes the air or The pump drives or pressurizes the air or fluid to generate power for the system.fluid to generate power for the system.

ValveValve

The valve controls the amount of air or The valve controls the amount of air or fluid flowing throughout the system.fluid flowing throughout the system.

ActuatorActuator

The actuator does the work for the system The actuator does the work for the system by converting the fluid/air pressure into by converting the fluid/air pressure into either linear or rotational mechanical either linear or rotational mechanical movement.movement.