Pneumatics

Pneumatics is the use of pressurized gas to affect mechanical motion.

Pneumatic power is used in industry, where it is common to have factory units plumbed for compressed airinert gases can be, and are used in smaller or self-contained systems. It also has applications in, among others, dentistry, construction, and mining. although other compressed

Factory-plumbed, pneumatic-power users need not worry about poisonous leakages as the gas is commonly just air. Smaller or stand-alone systems can use other compressed gases which are an asphyxiation hazard, such as nitrogen - often referred to as OFN (oxygen-free nitrogen), when supplied in cylinders.

Any compressed gas other than air is an asphyxiation hazard - including nitrogen, which makes up approximately 80% of air. Compressed oxygen (approx. 20% of air) would not asphyxiate, but it would be an extreme fire hazard, so is never used in pneumatically powered devices. Robot Wars machines and other hobbyist applications are often powered by compressed carbon dioxide because it is readily available in soda stream and fire extinguishers, and is cheap.^{[citation needed]} Carbon dioxide is both an asphyxiant and poisonous, and can also be a freezing hazard when vented.

[edit] Examples of pneumatic systems

• Pneumatic tools:
  • Pneumatic drill (jackhammer) used by road workers
  • Pneumatic nailgun
• Pneumatic switches
• Pneumatic actuator
• Air compressors
• Vacuum pump
• Barostat systems used in Neurogastroenterology and for researching electricity
• Cable Jetting, a way to install cables in ducts
• Pneumatic mail systems
• Air brakes on buses and trucks
• Air brakes, on trains
• Air engines for pneumatically powered vehicles
• Lego pneumatics can be used to build pneumatic models
• Pneumatic Launchers, a type of spud gun
• Pneumatic air guns
• Holman Projector, a pneumatic anti-aircraft weapon