Thread: How to connect an air cylinder to an air tank or compressor

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Hi,
I need big help. Do you guys know how to hook up a bimba air cylinder to an air compressor. I already have the air line and a lot of materials but i can not figure out how to hook it up.
THANKS,
KEV

You should have some knowledge of high pressure safety and plumbing before attempting any sort of hookup.....

Check out Phantasmechanics Online (the Haunting with compressed air section)...they have detailed pictures on how to plumb pneumatics...

Be careful..compressed air is dangerous!

Originally Posted by scary1215

Hi,
I need big help. Do you guys know how to hook up a bimba air cylinder to an air compressor. I already have the air line and a lot of materials but i can not figure out how to hook it up.
THANKS,
KEV

So what "materials" do you have be specific. Normally you have the air line connected from the Compressor to a regulator then to an air valve then to the Bimba. From the Compressor air line you go into an regulator or use the one ON the compressor and set it for 20LB's to start then when you Trigger or Activate or Turn ON the air valve the cylinder will move. Since we only know you have the Bimba and we have no idea what else you have its hard to help you. Is the Bimba a dual action 2 openings for an air line or just 1 which would make it a single action ?Do you have a picture of your setup that will help as well.

Originally Posted by craigsrobotics

Be careful..compressed air is dangerous!

You aren't kidding. I vividly remember when I was 14 and taking my first SCUBA class. It was just after the first time in the pool. We were starting to disassemble our equipment to put it away. I was able to unscrew the tank from the harness to the regulator. At this point, the air started spraying out of the tank and sliced into my thumb. I was lucky it wasn't worse.

ok everyone thanks,
so now i got the air cylinder to go out but how do i make it come back in.
THANKS,
Kev

i forgot to mention that my air cylinder is a air return cylinder too if that helps anyone figure out my problem.

Originally Posted by ruafraid

So what "materials" do you have be specific. Normally you have the air line connected from the Compressor to a regulator then to an air valve then to the Bimba. From the Compressor air line you go into an regulator or use the one ON the compressor and set it for 20LB's to start then when you Trigger or Activate or Turn ON the air valve the cylinder will move. Since we only know you have the Bimba and we have no idea what else you have its hard to help you. Is the Bimba a dual action 2 openings for an air line or just 1 which would make it a single action ?Do you have a picture of your setup that will help as well.

Sorry it has 2 openings.

it is a double acting air return cylinder .
THANKS,
Kev

I always use 4 way valves with my air cylinder props. The air compressor goes into teh solenoid valve, then one two of the ports go to the cylinder. One port pushes the cylinder rod out and the other pushes it back in. But it really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If the prop is heavy enough, use a cheaper 3 way solenoid valve and let the force of gravity reset the cylinder.

What effect are you trying to accomplish?

thanks, im trying to build an electric chair