Electro-Pneumatic Actuator Suppliers?

[Mikey Antonakakis]

I know pneumatic shifting has been discussed a whole lot here. I did a search, but can't seem to find any info about where teams actually get their parts. We've pretty much come to the conclusion that we want a 3-position linear actuator. I've spent a couple hours googling, but I'm having trouble finding a good supplier for the actuator and I guess the valve. Anyone care to share their suppliers?

[Mikey Antonakakis]

I know pneumatic shifting has been discussed a whole lot here. I did a search, but can't seem to find any info about where teams actually get their parts. We've pretty much come to the conclusion that we want a 3-position linear actuator. I've spent a couple hours googling, but I'm having trouble finding a good supplier for the actuator and I guess the valve. Anyone care to share their suppliers?

[Luniz]

As far as I know, there is no such thing as a 3-pos. actuator. All actuators are cylinders which can act in both ways (in and out) or in a single way via the pressure and the other voa an internal spring.
What we have been using is a 2way-cylinder and a 5/3-way valve with electromagnetic actuation. The cylinder is held in mid-travel by the shifting mechanism of the gearbox and is moved in both directions by the valve.

In Germany, almost all pneumatic equipment can be sourced from Festo.

[Mikey Antonakakis]

From http://machinedesign.c om/article/the-basics-of-pneumatic-control-valves-0808 (remove the space in "com")

"Four-way, three-position valves are also available in five-port versions. The most common center conditions for these valves are "all ports blocked" and "exhaust center." The two extreme positions of the four-port, four-way valve are the power positions of the valve which control actuator movement. The center position is designed to satisfy some system requirement such as locking an actuator or letting it float."

[Mikey Antonakakis]

This is taken from machinedesign . com / article/the-basics-of-pneumatic-control-valves-0808 (trying to get by the filter so I don't have to wait a few days to see my post):

"Four-way, three-position valves are also available in five-port versions. The most common center conditions for these valves are "all ports blocked" and "exhaust center." The two extreme positions of the four-port, four-way valve are the power positions of the valve which control actuator movement. The center position is designed to satisfy some system requirement such as locking an actuator or letting it float."

[jordan.k]

A place to start would be www.globalspec.com (http://www.globalspec.com). You will be able to search for what you are looking for and then narrow it down to which manufacturers and distributors have what you are looking for.

[Mikey Antonakakis]

Thanks racerk13, but I was just seeing if any teams cared to share who then in particular use. Guess not though, from the lack of response.

[The AFX Master]

We used valves from this site last year..
http://www.paradigmmotorsports.com/airshifter.html
Now we are going all the way with festo stuff... pretty impressive build quality and customer support

[The AFX Master]

BTW: The valves from Paradigm worked flawlessly.. Just in case i get misunderstood :P

[Mikey Antonakakis]

Awesome, thanks!

[Shields]

I'm not too sure why 3 positions would be required, as for neutral you can use programming of the solenoid valve to find it.

For actuators, a number of manufacturers spring to mind: Bimba, Mcmaster-Carr, Parker

For solenoid valves just google #-way solenoid valve. There are many different manufacturers of different valves in many configurations: Parker, and Asco are the 2 that spring to mind.

However for the solenoid valves, Parker has discontinued the series that is most valuable (ie small) for our applications.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Mikey Antonakakis]

I was thinking 3-position so it would return to center for neutral. But I guess 2-position would work judging by responses.

[The AFX Master]

A short pulse on neutral, say, half the duration of a standard full shift pulse on the valve, would do the job on neutral finding.. We found that almost by accident shorting the valve terminals when in firt gear :P

[Mikey Antonakakis]

Oops I said that wrong. I meant to say "center" instead of "neutral."

Also, we set up 2-step launch control tonight... I like flames http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif