MET230L: Hydraulics and Pneumatics Lab Assignment 2022

MET230L: Hydraulics and Pneumatics Lab
Unit 5 Lab Assignment
Remember to open a new Word file named MET230L_Unit5_Lab_LastName_FirstName.doc(x) if you
have not done so yet.
Exercise 1
This exercise illustrates the control of a double acting cylinder using an impulse directional control valve
and relays. Consider the electro-pneumatic circuit shown in the figure.
a. In the simulation software assigned by your instructor, open a new file named
Unit5_LabEx1_LastName_FirstName
b. Build the circuit using the components shown or their equivalents
c. Start the simulation by left clicking the start button circled in red as shown ( ).
d. Set the opening of all flow control valves to 5% to accommodate the pressure sensor. Now, left
click the momentarily push button S1 and wait until the cylinder rod comes to a full stop
 What happens? _The piston rod extends and retracts.
Why? When the simulation is initiated magnetic proximity switch is activated hence
activating relay K1 which in in turn activates the make switch K1. On clicking the
push button S1, valve solenoid 1M1 is activated which actuates 5/2- way solenoid
impulse valve 1V1 initiating the extension stroke. During the extension stroke
pressure builds up in the pressure sensor 1B3 and at maximum it is activated at its
switching pressure valve and in turn pressure sensor switch is activated, which then
activates the relay K3 which close the make switch K3 initiating the return stroke.
e. What component initiates the return stroke? _Pressure sensor 1B3
f. Take a screen shot of the working simulated circuit, copy and paste in the word document
Figure 1: Circuit behaviour during extension stroke initiation
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Figure 2: Circuit behaviour during the retraction
g. Save the simulation and word files
Figure for Exercise 1
Exercise 2
This exercise is similar to the previous one except that it uses a spring return directional control valve to
control the double acting cylinder. The openings of the flow control valves are also re-adjusted.
Consider the electro-pneumatic circuit shown in the figure
a. In the simulation software assigned by your instructor, open a new file named
Unit5_LabEx2_LastName_FirstName
b. Build the circuit using the components shown or their equivalents
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c. Start the simulation by left clicking the start button circled here in red as shown ( ).
d. Set the opening of all flow control valves as shown: 1V2 to 5%, 1V3 to 80%, 1V4 to 30%,
e. Left click the momentarily push button S1 and wait until the cylinder rod comes to a full stop
 What happened? The piston rod extends and retracts.
 Why? When the simulation is initiated magnetic proximity switch is activated
hence activating relay K2 which in in turn activates the make switch K2. On
clicking the push button S1,K1 relays is activated which closes the make switch
K1 activating the valve solenoid 1M1, which actuates 5/2- way solenoid impulse
valve 1V1 initiating the extension stroke. During the extension stroke pressure
builds up in the pressure sensor 1B3 and at maximum it is activated at its
switching pressure valve and in turn pressure sensor switch is activated, which
then activates the relay K3 which open the make switch K3 initiating the return
stroke.
f. What component initiates the return stroke? Pressure sensor 1B3
g. Can the cylinder rod retract before it is fully extended? yes
 How would you do that? By varying the pressure switching value of Pressure
sensor 1B3
h. Take a screen shot of the working simulated circuit, copy and paste in the word document
i. Save the simulation and word files
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Figure for Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Instead of a pressure sensor and an optical proximity sensor used in the previous exercise, this exercise
uses two electromagnetic proximity sensors. Also, the electric diagram has been modified to yield a
different outcome
Consider the electro-pneumatic circuit shown in the figure,
a. In the simulation software assigned by your instructor, open a new file named
Unit5_LabEx3_LastName_FirstName
b. Build the circuit using the components shown or their equivalents
c. Start the simulation by left clicking the start button circled here in red as shown ( ).
d. Set the opening of all flow control valves to 50%
e. Left click the momentarily push button S1
 What happens? The piston rod extends and retracts continuously.
f. Can the cylinder possibly retract before being fully extended? Yes.
 Why? The extension and retraction of the cylinder depends on the set pressure
switching value of Pressure sensor 1B3, the higher the values the longer the
extension stroke.
g. Left click the momentarily push button S2.
 What happens? The extension and retraction process of the piston rod stop.
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