I thought up this way to make suction and we aren’t using it so I thought I would share. This device can be ran with a second pneumatic cyclinder as shown in the picture or using a mechanical device ie lead screw and so on. I showed the additional cyclinder as a simple addition to a pneumatic system. To do it as shown in the picture you will need a normal pneumatic setup ie compressor, valves, additional solenoid, PLUS A single festo solenoid, a suctioning device (aka cup) 2 cyclinder, same stroke preferably, doesn’t have to be same bore. I would experiement with a smaller bore for the control, less area but let power, with a larger bore for the one in line with the suction cup. The smallest bore for control with the largest bore for moving air would be the best. If you use a motor instead of a second motor you will not need a complete pneumatic system. When you decide on either two cyclinder or one cyclinder and motor, find a way to connect these so the suctioning cyclinder will be able to be fully extended and retracted. On the suctioning cyclinder leave the stroke open to the air. Add normal tubing to the end opposite the stroke end of the cyclinder and attach the end of the tube to port 1 of the 2004 Festo single solenoid. Create a loop using two piece of tubing and a tee to connect to port 4 of this solenoid. Run port 2 (NOT ON state) of the cylinder to the suctioning device (ie cup). Let port 3 (ON State) be open to the atmosphere. Check for any leaks in the system (very important, leaks suck in vacuums…not a pun).
To test manually: Put suctioning device on item to be suctioned. Pull cyclinder stroke of cyclinder that creates suction all the way out either manually or with the cyclinder/motor meant for this purpose. Use the manual switch on the Festo and then push suctioning cyclinder back, it should put air out port 3 of the solenoid. Release solenoids switch and return to normal state. Then pull out suctioning solenoid to increase the vacuum (decrease air in suctioning device).
If this works to satisfaction you can program your controls to do exactly that, open one port when you go one way and the other the other way. Essentially the solenoid acts as a one-way valve. I’ve included a small diagram (I love paint but I hate a sticky mouse…argh!)
I’m not sure of the affect the backdriving will have on the new solenoids. Last year it had little negative affects when backdriving of air occurs. You will just have to test and see. Its just a little idea I had that I thought some people might find of use. Good Luck and tell me if anything works.
suction.bmp (21.2 KB)
suction.bmp (21.2 KB)
