Slowing down the action of a cylinder with flow control, mechanical or via software

[jreuter]

Randy:

If you take a close look at the 2011 pnuematics manual, you will see flow control devices in both the schematic and photographs. The SMC NAS2201F-N01-07S flow control device was included in the 2008 KoP, and previous years, if I recall. We have some of these in our shop if your shipment doesn't arrive in time. Give me a call if you need them.

Also, you can indeed use separate Festos to switch between a high flow and low flow path, as long as you use a separate control signal for each one. You are correct that you are not allowed to control two valves from one control signal.

I have also read CD postings of people who rotate the valves with servos to provide software control of the flow rate.

With regard to rapid on/off pulses to the Festos, 1073 did this in 2010 to provide software-control preload pressures in our kicker. I was amazed that the Festos were so responsive, but we got very repeatable results, with no observed reliability problems.

Good luck at Beantown!
-Jeff