Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
An introduction and demonstration of the components required to build a pneumatic system.
Many of my previous projects have included moving parts powered by electricity - e.g. stepper motors, servos, linear actuators. But, using air-powered pneumatic cylinders can generate a different quality of motion, which is more powerful, more natural, and more organic - it's perfect for animatronic character movement, but also trap doors, reveals, or other theatrical special effects in escape rooms, haunted houses, or other themed attractions.
I'll introduce the functionality of each of the main pneumatic components you'll need, and also draw comparisons to their equivalent component in an electrical circuit.
Timings:
00:00:00 - 00:00:24 Introduction
00:00:25 - 00:01:22 Component Overview
00:01:23 - 00:06:29 Compressor (Battery)
00:06:30 - 00:07:33 Regulator (Voltage Stepdown)
00:07:34 - 00:09:01 Air Tubing (Wires)
00:09:02 - 00:12:07 Connectors
00:12:08 - 00:13:22 Making Things Airtight
00:13:23 - 00:13:43 Splitters (Connector blocks, e.g. WAGO)
00:13:44 - 00:13:55 Valves (Switches)
00:13:56 - 00:14:41 Solenoid Valves (Relays)
00:14:42 - 00:15:00 Manifold (Multi-channel relay)
00:15:01 - 00:15:43 Cylinders (Linear Actuators)
00:15:44 - 00:16:24 Wrapup
For more information on this project, or and of the other playful technology projects featured on this channel, please check out patreon.com/c/playfultech or join the discord at discord.gg/xrUdmGcv
An introduction and demonstration of the components required to build a pneumatic system.
Many of my previous projects have included moving parts powered by electricity - e.g. stepper motors, servos, linear actuators. But, using air-powered pneumatic cylinders can generate a different quality of motion, which is more powerful, more natural, and more organic - it's perfect for animatronic character movement, but also trap doors, reveals, or other theatrical special effects in escape rooms, haunted houses, or other themed attractions.
I'll introduce the functionality of each of the main pneumatic components you'll need, and also draw comparisons to their equivalent component in an electrical circuit.
Timings:
00:00:00 - 00:00:24 Introduction
00:00:25 - 00:01:22 Component Overview
00:01:23 - 00:06:29 Compressor (Battery)
00:06:30 - 00:07:33 Regulator (Voltage Stepdown)
00:07:34 - 00:09:01 Air Tubing (Wires)
00:09:02 - 00:12:07 Connectors
00:12:08 - 00:13:22 Making Things Airtight
00:13:23 - 00:13:43 Splitters (Connector blocks, e.g. WAGO)
00:13:44 - 00:13:55 Valves (Switches)
00:13:56 - 00:14:41 Solenoid Valves (Relays)
00:14:42 - 00:15:00 Manifold (Multi-channel relay)
00:15:01 - 00:15:43 Cylinders (Linear Actuators)
00:15:44 - 00:16:24 Wrapup
For more information on this project, or and of the other playful technology projects featured on this channel, please check out patreon.com/c/playfultech or join the discord at discord.gg/xrUdmGcv
