Pneumatics Examples

Pneumatics are a highly skilled mechanical process involving gases, often under great pressure. The interesting thing about pneumatics is that they are a complex process that most of us actually use on a daily basis, often without even realizing it.

Pneumatic systems are most commonly used in construction, factories, mills, and other areas of building and technology, often using a centralized source of compressed air to power whatever motion needs to take place. Other inert gases can be used, however, and there are even medical applications for pneumatics, such as a dentist’s high-powered drill.

1. Movement with Pneumatics

Everything from forms of transportation to the little tube at the bank's drive-teller can run on pneumatics. In this case, a source of high-pressure compressed air causes a movement. The opposite effect also occurs in which pressurized air causes a vacuum, which occurs in the case of the bank tube.

2. Brakes

One form of very efficient braking technology that is applied to large, heavy vehicles is the use of pneumatic brakes, also called air brakes. These braking systems use compressed air to serve as the piston that helps the vehicle slow down or stop.

3. Toys

A few common toys rely on pneumatics to function, such as a bicycle or ball pump. Air is compressed and forced into the ball or bicycle inner tube as the handle is pumped on top of the cylinder. The popular building brick company Lego also has a pneumatic brick that relies on pressurized air to cause motion.

4. Bag of Air

One of the more versatile pneumatic products is the pneumatic bladder. This sealed bag filled with compressed air is used in industrial applications to perform tasks such as sealing large holes to prevent chemical spills, blocking access to spilled content, cushioning items inside a cargo hold like oversized bubble wrap, and more.

5. Tools

Industrial tools like jack hammers rely on compressed air to cause the hammer and chisel tip to repeatedly strike the ground, while construction-grade nail guns use compressed air to "fire" nails into a surface in rapid succession. Some forms of cable are created by running pressurized air through the outer sheath of the finished cable to inflate it, then feeding the wiring through the center of the sheath.