What are pneumatics?

[Jim Giacchi]

Originally posted by rbayer
They are much more powerful than pneumatics and are what drives most heavy machinery. FIRST, however, doesn't let us use hydraulics (probably a good thing),

Its not that there more powerful air can be just as powerful, its the fact that since hydraulics uses a liquid instead of a gas its impossible to back drive, because a liquid is non-compressible, which makes it better for cranes and such when exact positioning is critical, where a gas can be compressed. So if you push against a hydraulic it won't move, but if you push against a pnuematic it will bounce. (I hope that made sense)

*edit* And the main reason first doesn't allow us to use hydraulics is because a blown hydarulic line is A LOT messier than a leaky air line. *edit*