A software tool development for pneumatic actuator system simulation and design

The ready availability of low cost microprocessors and mechantronic components allow industrial users to consider adopting servo-controlled pneumatic actuators with an acceptable cost. This leads to a demand for a software tool in pneumatic actuator system CAS/CAD. Therefore, the paper introduces a software tool developed by the research group in Liverpool for pneumatic actuator system computer aided simulation and design. Pneumatic system components are initially organised into five major classes. Those components are considered as subsystems to a complete pneumatic system and the mathematical models for the individual components are derived which can be combined in different ways to form a complete pneumatic system model. A library is built up to accommodate the five classes of components. Users can pick up different components from the library to formulate a complete pneumatic system based on the design requirements. The complete system dynamic behaviours can then be simulated in different operating modes. The graphic user interface (GUI) and animation techniques are adopted in software design to create a user-friendly environment. The software is still in its early stage and only used for research purpose but it has potential for further development. # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.