pnuematic air muscle air valve/control board

[jyoung6]

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I am trying to build a pnuematic air muscle that is actuated by an air valve that will give me proportional control. and i want the air muscle actuator to be activated by a pressure sensor (different lbs of pressure=different lengths of contraction). and there will be multiple (8) different air valves needed. i am a newby at programming and have no idea where to start or what control board to get. is there a kit that i can buy that would have all the necessary elements to get started? i have the air muscle(actuator) but i need the programmable control board, air valve(100psi). or are there a few components that i can put together that u recommend? such as a type of air valve (maybe servo/soleniod) and where to purchase it, as well as a control board. a package would be better but im open to suggestions. thanks

[scareisburg]

Check out Festo they have made some need pneumatic arms Festo - Airic's_arm

Also you may want to look at Enfield Technologies - Servo Pneumatic Proportional Control Systems they sell proportional valve that work with their cylinders I think they need some type of position feed back though to work properly.

[jyoung6]

ok, thanks. so if i went with a proportional valve like this one from the link u gave me. tecno basic . than wouldnt i need a driver,some sort of feedback loop, and some type of controller. does anyone ave any suggestions? thx

[thisain'tmayberry]

If you're not afriad of a little programming, check out the controllers at EFX-TEK
Their product forums are deep and knowledgable. The forum administrator is very helpful and will write free code for you if you lay out what you want.