Pneumatic Ecosystem

Overview

Vention has partnered with SMC, an industry leader in pneumatics, to bring you a series of pneumatic components. These components include an air preparation station complete with a pressure regulator, air filter and manual safety release valve, a manifold that supports up to four independent open-center valves that drive various lengths of double-acting cylinders. The entire system is controlled using Vention’s MachineMotion 2 (CE-CL-010-0004) and Digital I/O Module v2 (CE-MD-001-0000__2).

This user manual provides technical specifications for Vention’s Pneumatic Ecosystem V2. For details on Vention’s Penumatic Ecosystem V1, refer to the ‘Documentation for Previous Product Versions’ section at the end of this document.

Applications

There are several applications for the pneumatic ecosystem, including clamping and guidance systems.

Browse Open Source Designs

Air Preparation Station (CA-AP-001-0001/0002)

Specifications

Pneumatic Pressure Regulator (CA-AP-002-0001/0005)

Specifications

Manifold Station with Valves (CA-CO-001-0002/0004)

Specifications

Wiring

Every Manifold Station comes pre-wired with M12 4-pin female connectors. Each M12 connector allows the control of a single valve output, with each valve having 2 outputs (A and B). Since a Digital I/O Module v2 (CE-MD-001-0000__2) has 4 outputs ports, up to 2 valves can be controlled by a single module. Simply connect every M12 connector to a digital output port (follow the labeling) and start controlling the manifold out-of-the-box.

Valve and output numbering goes as follows on the manifold station:

A 2-Valve Manifold Station (CA-CO-001-0002__2) cable has 4 labeled M12 connectors that control valve outputs as follows:

A 4-Valve Manifold Station (CA-CO-001-0004__2) cable has 8 labeled M12 connectors that control valve outputs as follows:

Each valve has a LED indicator reflecting the state of its outputs:

IN Female M12 connector pinout

Normally Closed On/Off Valve (CE-AR-002-0000)

Specifications

Wiring

Every On/Off Pneumatic Valve comes pre-wired with a M12 4-pin female connector. Since a Digital I/O Module v2 (CE-MD-001-0000__2) has 4 outputs ports, up to 4 valves can be controlled by a single module. Simply connect the M12 connector to any digital output port and start controlling the valve out-of-the-box.

IN Female M12 connector pinout

Normally Open On/Off Valve (CE-AR-002-0006)

Specifications

Wiring

Every On/Off Pneumatic Valve comes pre-wired with a M12 4-pin female connector. Since a Digital I/O Module v2 (CE-MD-001-0000__2) has 4 outputs ports, up to 4 valves can be controlled by a single module. Simply connect the M12 connector to any digital output port and start controlling the valve out-of-the-box.

IN Female M12 connector pinout

Manual Hand Valve (HW-AR-003-0000)

Specifications

20mm Bore, Non-Guided Actuators (MO-AR-001-0050)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

32 mm, Bore Non-Guided Actuators (MO-AR-001-0100/0200/0300)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Guided Actuators (MO-AR-002-0100/0200/0300/0400)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Guided Actuators with Pinch Guarding (HW-AR-102-0100/0200/0300/0400)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

20mm Bore, Pivoting Non-Guided Actuators (MO-AR-003-0050)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Additionally, the pivoting non-guided cylinders have rotational limitations on both front and back clevis brackets. They both have a pivoting range of 225°.

32mm Bore, Pivoting Non-Guided Actuators (MO-AR-003-0100/0200/0300)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Additionally, the pivoting non-guided cylinders have rotational limitations on both front and back clevis brackets. The front piston clevis mount of the cylinder is limited to a ± 50° range of motion, while the back clevis mount is limited to ± 40°.

Guided Actuator for Box Stopping (MO-AR-007-0050)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Guided Actuator for Pallet Stopping (MO-AR-008-0050)

Specifications

The actuator force is a function of its operating pressure. The theoretical output force can be calculated in the Actuator Force Calculation section below.

Position Sensor (CE-SN-008-0001__2)

When confirmation of the actuator position is needed, a Normally Closed (N.C.) position sensor (CE-SN-008-0001__2) can be easily slid into any groove on the pneumatic actuator and secured in place using a 1mm precision flat screwdriver. It accurately senses the magnetic field of the piston as it passes beneath the sensor and a built-in red LED illuminates when the sensor output is active.

Each position sensor can be directly connected to a Digital I/O Module v2 input port (CE-MD-001-0000__2), up to 4 sensors per module.

The guided actuators MO-AR-002-0100/0200 and MO-AR-008-0050 require an adapter to properly secure the position sensor in place. An adapter is included with each sensor.

Position sensors (M12, A-coded, male cable end) :

Position sensors (M12, A-coded, no cable) :

Vacuum Switch (CE-SN-009-0001)

When confirmation of vacuum level on a suction cup is required, a vacuum switch (CE-SN-009-0001) can easily be installed on one of the vacuum ports of a Piab VGS 3010 venturi. It detects if the user-set threshold is met It accurately senses the magnetic field of the piston as it passes beneath the sensor and a built-in red LED illuminates when the sensor output is active.

Each vacuum switch can be directly connected to a Digital I/O Module v2 input port (CE-MD-001-0000__2), up to 4 sensors per module.

Accessories

Vention’s Pneumatic Ecosystem also includes a variety of accessories for different use cases.

Use of Speed Controllers

The 6mm 90 Degree One-touch Fitting to 1/8in RC with Speed Controller (HW-AR-002-0007) and 6mm Inlet/Outlet One-Touch Fitting with Speed Controller (HW-AR-002-0013) features a numeric indicator representing a specific level of flow control for cylinders. This fitting can be used to slow down and control the speed of the push and pull movement of our dual action cylinders. The indicator can be used to synchronize multiple cylinders to the same speed.

Note: HW-AR-002-0007 replaces the pre-installed 90-degree fittings most of our cylinders. When installing the speed controller fittings, the cylinder must be turned either 90 or 180 degrees with respect to the mounting brackets as the fittings do not fit underneath when mounted. Use an adjustable wrench to properly install the fittings. These fittings are not compatible when used with some of the guided actuators with pinch guarding, specifically MO-AR-007-0050 and HW-AR-102-0300/0400. Additionally MO-AR-001-0050 and MO-AR-003-0050 (20mm bore actuators) as they use M5 fitting threads. For all of these, an inline one-touch speed controller (HW-AR-002-0013) must be used.

Assembly Instructions

Note: All air supply tubes have an 12 mm outer diameter, whereas all actuator tubes have a 6 mm outer diameter.

When connecting your pneumatic system:

• Make sure the emergency shutoff valve is turned to the EXH (exhaust) position

• Connect the filter/regulator unit’s outlet to the manifold’s inlet port using the provided 8 mm tubing

• Connect the unaltered end of the provided supply line to the shutoff valve’s inlet

• Attach the provided quick-connect fitting to the supply line, and connect the end of the fitting to your air supply

• If you don’t have an air-preparation station, simply connect the unaltered end of the provided supply line to the manifold’s inlet

Every valve features two ports which correspond respectively to the actuator’s push and pull actions

• Connect the valve ports on the manifold to the actuator ports using the provided 6 mm tubing

• Test the actuator. If the direction of action is the opposite of what is desired, simply swap the tubes using the one-touch fittings

Non-Guided Cylinder Assembly

Guided Cylinder Assembly

Manual Valve with Guided Cylinder Assembly

On/Off Valve Assembly

Actuator Force Calculation

The effective pushing and pulling force of all cylinders can be calculated as follows:

Flow Rate Calculation

Your system’s maximum Flow Rate Qv in standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) can be calculated by deviding the Flow Coefficient Cv by a predertermined conversion factor based on pressure as seen in the table below.

When calculating the maximum flow rate, it is important that the lowest C_v value is used as it is the limiting factor. For example, to determine the maximum flow rate through a system that utilizes an On/Off Valve (CE-AR-002-0000) and an Air Preparation Station (CA-AP-001-0001), the lowest C_v is 2.1. Assuming the system’s pressure is set to 0.55 MPa (80 psi), the following calculation must be done:

Note: This general rule applies at standard air temperature (20°C) and pressure (101.3 kPA or 14.7 psi). It provides an approximation of air flow rate values, not an exact measurement.

Documentation for Previous Product Releases