"Pneumatic"

"Pneumatic" redirects here. For the highest order of humans in Gnosticism, see Pneumatic (Gnosticism).

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

Pneumatic power is used in industry, where factory machines are commonly plumbed for compressed air; other compressed inert gases can also be used. Pneumatics also has applications in dentistry, construction, mining, and other areas.

Examples of pneumatic systems

• Pneumatic tools:
• Pneumatic drill (jackhammer) used by road workers
• Pneumatic nailgun
• Pipe organs
• Pneumatic actuator
• Pneumatic switches
• Air compressors
• Vacuum pump
• Barostat systems used in Neurogastroenterogy and for researching electricity
• Cable jetting, a way to install cables in ducts
• Pneumatic mail systems
• Compressed-air engine and compressed-air vehicles

• 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

Gases used in pneumatic systems

Pneumatic systems in fixed installations such as factories use compressed air because a sustainable supply can be made by compressing atmospheric air. The air usually has moisture removed and a small quantity of oil added at the compressor, to avoid corrosion of mechanical components and to lubricate them.

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.