Synchronized Cylinders

In this demonstration, a pair of Enfield S2 servo pneumatic positioning systems are actuating two synchronized cylinders. By keeping the plate level and the speeds matched, the system also prevents the cylinders from binding.

This level of synchronization is superior to typical methods of moving cylinders in unison, which would often rely on flow controls, directional valves and pressure regulators.

In this example, cylinder position is changed via a single analog command of 0…10Vdc from the PLC. The command begins with a sine wave and then transitions to mid-stroke set points. Both S2s compare these set points from the PLC with the analog feedback from the LRT in each cylinder. This enables them to precisely adjust the amount of air going to each cylinder, providing synchronous motion.