Pneumatic Circuit Design by Cascade Method

Cascade Method – Simple and easiest method for designing pneumatic logic circuit design.

This method involves only 5 design steps.

Step1:
Each cylinder are given for convenience, individual letters like A, B, C, etc.
The sequence is written first with
“+” represent cylinder for Extension stroke
“-” represent cylinder for Retraction stroke
“0” represent limit valve for cylinder retracted position
“1” represent limit valve for cylinder extended position
Example
The sequence is A+, B+, A-, B-

b0 a0
Start a1 b1

A+ B+ B- A-

First A+ for cylinder A piston rod to extend (cylinder A extension stroke)

a1 for cylinder A piston rod in extended limit position
B+ for cylinder B piston rod to extend (cylinder B extension stroke)
b1 for cylinder B piston rod in extended limit position
A- for cylinder A piston rod to retract (cylinder A retraction stroke)
a0 for cylinder A piston rod in retracted limit position
Finally B- for cylinder B piston rod to retract (cylinder B retraction stroke)
b0 for cylinder B piston rod in retracted limit position

Step2:
1. The sequence is split into number of groups.
2. No letter should be repeated within any group
3. The groups are identified by letters like I, II, III, etc.
Example
The sequence is A+, B+, A-, B- means
a1 b1 a0 b0
A+ B+ A- B- 0
I II
Step3:
Each group is assigned a pressure manifold line
Number of pressure lines = number of group

Example
In the above sequence, A+, B+, A-, B- means it has two pressure manifold line
A+, B+, A-, B-
I II
I
2 pressure
II manifold line
Step4:
Selection of valves
1. number of pilot control valves = number of cylinders
2. number of limit valves = 2 times (X) number of cylinders
3. Number of cascade valves = number of groups minus (-)1

Step5:
Valve connections
1. The input of the start push button is connected to the active pressure manifold and the
output to the last limit valve on the sequence.
2. The output of each limit valve is connected to each Pilot input corresponding to the next
sequence step.
3. The last limit valve of the 1st group is connected to the cascade valve for activating the
next group.

Application:

Design the fluid power circuit for drilling machine to the following function.
1. Cylinder A extends to Clamp the workpiece.
2. Cylinder B extends to do the drilling.
3. Cylinder B retracts after drilling.
4. Cylinder A retracts after to unclamp the workpiece.

In this method it involves only 5 design steps

Step1:
Each cylinder are given for convenience, individual letters like A, B, C, etc.
The sequence is written first with
“+” represent cylinder for Extension stroke
“-” represent cylinder for Retraction stroke

1. Cylinder A extends to Clamp the workpiece. A+

2. Cylinder A at extended position. Workpiece clamped. a1
3. Cylinder B extends to do the drilling. B+
4. Cylinder B at extended position. Drill limit b1
5. Cylinder B retracts after drilling. Initial position B-
6. Cylinder B at retracted position. b0
7. Cylinder A retracts after to unclamp the workpiece. A-
8. Cylinder A at retracted position. Workpiece unclamped. a0

a1 b1 b0 a0
The given sequence is A+, B+, B-, A-,

Step2:
1. The sequence is split into number of groups.
2. No letter should be repeated within any group
3. The groups are identified by letters like I, II, III, etc.
Example
The sequence is A+, B+, B-, A- means
A+, B+, B-, A-
I II

Therefore there are only two groups selected.

Step3:
Each group is assigned a pressure manifold line
 In this sequence we have two groups
Hence
Number of pressure lines = number of group
2 = 2

Step4:
Selection of valves
1. number of pilot control valves = number of cylinders = 2 (A,B)
2. number of limit valves = 2 times (X) number of cylinders = 2 X 2 = 4
3. Number of cascade valves = number of groups minus (-)1 = 2 – 1 = 1

Step 5
Valve connections
1. The input of the start push button is connected to the active pressure manifold and the
output to the last limit valve on the sequence (Start to a0 input).
2. The output of each limit valve is connected to each pilot input corresponding to the next
sequence step. (a1 to B+, b0 to A-)
3. The last limit valve of the 1st group is connected to the cascade valve for activating the
next group. (b1 output to CV pilot control Y)

Solution:

A a0 a1 B b0 b1

A B A B
A+ A- B+ B-
R S R S

P b0 A a1 A P

P R P R

I I
II II
Z A B Y

CV R S
a0 A
P
b1 A
P R
P R
Start A

P R
 ACTIVITY NO. 2
PNEUMATIC CIRCUIT DIAGRAMMING
(CASCADED METHOD)

Name: Teachers Initial:

Year and Section: Date:

Direction: Using the 5 design methods of the cascaded method, design the circuit diagram
of the stamping device problem below. Write your diagram on a drawing template.

Problem:

Plastic parts are manually placed in a holder. A double acting cylinder pushes the holder
under an embossing cylinder 1.0 (A). This cylinder embosses names in the plastic. After
embossing, the cylinder 1.0 (A) returns immediately to its initial position. Only then does
cylinder 2.0 (B) returns.

Design of the fluid power circuit for stamping device.

1. Cylinder B extends to push the holder and clamp.
2. Cylinder A extends to do the embossing.
3. Cylinder A retracts after embossing.
4. Cylinder B retracts after to unclamp the holder.

Positional Sketch

Write your sequence here.

Start
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

STAMPING DEVICE
Plastic parts are manually placed in a holder.
A A pneumatic cylinder pushes the holder A
under an embossing cylinder 1.0 (A). This
cylinder embosses names in the plastic. After
embossing, the cylinder 1.0 (A) returns
immediately to its initial position. Only then
does cylinder 2.0 (B) return.

B
B
Positional Sketch

C
C

D
D

E
E

PNEUMATIC CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

F
Name:____________________ ELX M8 PNEUMATICS & Marikina CASCADED METHOD Teachers Initial: Plate F
Polytechni
Year & Sec:_______________ ELECTRO-PNEUMATICS STAMPING DEVICE Date:____________ No.
c College
PROBLEM
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8