Strong Pneumatics

A little history

Even as early as the third century BC, Greek mathematician and inventor Ctesibius was experimenting with compressed air and the exciting possibilities it offers. He was the first person to develop machines operated using compressed air, such as a catapult that used compressed air to slingshot balls and spears. Heron of Alexandria created a very famous compressed air machine. It generated compressed air using an altar fire, causing the huge temple doors to open as though moved by an invisible hand.

The heat of the altar fire warmed the air in a pressure vessel which was half filled with water. When air is heated, it expands and air pressure increases. The expanding air needed more space, so it forced the water out of the pressure vessel and into a water container. The container grew heavier and sank down, opening the doors.

Pneumatic energy has been used in drive and control technology in industrial applications since the early 20th century. Pneumatic equipment is used in construction and agricultural machinery, for instance to drive hammers and drills. Pneumatic suction and pneumatic pressure are also used in conveyor technology, for instance in mills to suction grain and to transport flour. We even find pneumatics in the music industry, for instance in organ building. The keys of a pianola, a self-playing piano, are controlled pneumatically. Pneumatics has applications in the automotive industry, the textile and food industries, electrical engineering - even in space, as well as in many areas of our everyday lives.

What advantages do pneumatic machines have?

The advantages of pneumatic machines are... 

• Compressed air can be stored 
• Compressed air can be transported across long distances by pipes and tubes or in containers designed for this purpose
• Compressed air is clean and does not create any contamination 
• Movements can be carried out quickly using compressed air 
• Pneumatic cylinders can be used to execute many different movements without complex mechanics 
• They are explosion-safe

We will explain these advantages and lots of other interesting information to you in the Strong Pneumatics building set. In addition, we will show you how pneumatic components function. We will explain the individual components step by step, and show you how they work. In addition, the building set includes lots of different example models that illustrate how pneumatics are used.