Advantages and Disadvantages
When should you use pneumatics? It depends on your application.
Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
|---|
| Easy to use | Simple control and distribution |
| Clean and safe | Ideal for food, medical, explosive environments |
| Reliable | Low maintenance, few components |
| Fast response | Short actuation times |
| Overload safe | Systems stop instead of breaking |
| No return | No return cables or pipes like hydraulics |
Disadvantages
| Disadvantage | Description |
|---|
| Generation cost | Requires own compressor |
| Operating cost | User pays for energy |
| Contaminants | Water, oil, and particles affect equipment |
| Infrastructure | Requires distribution network |
| Efficiency | ~80% of energy lost as heat |
| Noise | Can be noisy without silencers |
Pneumatics vs Hydraulics?
| Factor | Pneumatics | Hydraulics |
|---|
| Force | Moderate | Very high |
| Speed | High | Moderate |
| Precision | Lower | Higher |
| Cleanliness | Clean | Oil leaks |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Complexity | Simple | Complex |
Pneumatics vs Electric?
| Factor | Pneumatics | Electric |
|---|
| Linear force | Excellent | Requires conversion |
| Hazardous environments | Safe | Spark risk |
| Initial cost | Lower | Higher |
| Efficiency | ~20% | ~80% |
| Precise control | Limited | Excellent |