Pneumatic Play Models; Even More Pneumatics - fischertechnik Profi Pneumatic II Manual De Instrucciones

4. Pneumatic play models

In addition to the functional models which we dealt with in Chapter 3, the
Profi Pneumatic construction kit includes four other models with exciting
game functions. This concerns the models "Pipelayer", "Snowplow",
"Shovel Loader" and "Excavator". In reality, functions as they appear in
these models are not executed pneumatically bur rather hydraulically.
In the science of hydraulics one utilizes oil instead of air in order to move
cylinders. In contrast to air, oil is not able to be compressed. As a result,
one can transfer substantially greater forces with hydraulics than with air.
The force of pneumatics is completely sufficient for our play models. In
addition, perhaps you can imagine that one could create quite a mess when
playing around with oil, especially if it gets onto the wall-to-wall carpeting,
for example. If one would utilize water instead of oil, the danger exists that
the cylinders would calcify. The utilization of distilled water is also not to be
recommended, since this could lead to health injury in the event of being
swallowed. Therefore we will remain instead with compressed air and be
pleased at how the compressor rattles, and at how the valves hiss when the
outgoing air escapes from the cylinders during operation. Of course, these
models are able to be combined ideally with other construction kits. And so,
for instance, you can load the "dumper" from the Cars&Trucks kit quite well
with the pneumatic Excavator, or with the "low-loader" vehicle from "Super
Trucks" you can transport pipes which are unloaded with one of the harbor
cranes and then laid with the pneumatic Pipelayer. Have lots of fun while
building and playing.
Remarks:
Especially with the Excavator it is important that you wait ca. 15
x
seconds after turning on the compressor until the air chamber
is completely filled and the full pressure for lifting the excavator
arm is available. Otherwise it is possible that it won't be able
to move. When you have repeatedly carried out several functions
successively, you should also allow the compressor to take a
break so that the air chamber can be filled again.
At any rate, if you have had these models in operation for a
x
longer period, it is worth it to utilize the "Accu Set" (Art. No.
34969) as power supply instead of the 9V block. The battery
pack holds power considerably longer than a 9V block, and
can be repeatedly charged. Installation in the models is possible
without problem.

5. Even more pneumatics

The fascinating subject of pneumatics is not yet at an end with this Profi
Pneumatic construction kit. If you are also now anxious to automate the
pneumatic models, then the Pneumatic Robots (Art. No. 34938) construction
kit is just the right thing. There the models are no longer controlled with
hand valves, but rather with electromagnetic valves which are connected
to the "Intelligent Interface". These models can then be programmed and
controlled by means of PC with the LLWin software. This is technology
at its finest. Of course, you can utilize the components from the Profi
Pneumatic construction kit, and also upgrade and expand the models. For
instance, you can also build a "double compressor" with two motors and
two air chambers which are able to produce twice the amount of air. This
enables endless possibilities.
In case you want to obtain more specific information on the subject of
pneumatics, we recommend the book "The amazing world of pneumatics".
It is published by the Vogel publishing house and is available in bookstores
ISBN 3-8259-1912-9). It provides extensive insights into the world of
pneumatics and its history, as well as numerous applications and develop-
ments throughout the approximate 200 page length.
Maybe you will once again encounter the science of pneumatics during your
schooling or your profession. Then you will notice that "genuine pneumatics"
also function just as well in principle as in the fischertechnik construction
kits, and that this subject has been familiar for quite a while.
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