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Question Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders instead of linear actuators?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by K120_Enthusiast, Mar 6, 2022.

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  1. K120_Enthusiast

    K120_Enthusiast Member

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    I was thinking, many people on this forum are making 6DOF setups with self-built linear actuators, but those look complicated to make. Wouldn't it be easier to use pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders instead? They could be controlled with solenoid valves. What would be the drawbacks of making such a system?
    Would these work?[​IMG]
    K120_Enthusiast, Mar 6, 2022
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  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Given the availability of control boards to make DIY or commercial servo actuators almost plug and play, combined with their speed, precision and load capacity at a reasonable cost, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are pretty much considered obsolete these days.
    • Agree Agree x 2
    noorbeast, Mar 6, 2022
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  3. K120_Enthusiast

    K120_Enthusiast Member

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    I was more referring to their mechanical complexity, but did not know pneumatic cylinders were used before.
    K120_Enthusiast, Mar 6, 2022
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  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You can use the Google search box on the Recent page to look for past projects and discussions, pneumatics pop up from time to time when people are looking at how they may modernize old arcade machines.
    noorbeast, Mar 6, 2022
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  5. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    i tried a hydraulic cylinder and an electric pump some time ago

    it did work - but the cylinder diameter needs to be small

    pneumatics is commonly used in automation - it will work here also with the correct feedback

    you need to accept the noise of the escaping air !
    Gadget999, Mar 7, 2022
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  6. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

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    i did look at these options a well. hydraulics can et expensive when you start adding up the cost of the valves. leakage is always an issue as well. pheumatics are cheaper but theya re not godd at holding the load steady as air is compressable was my conclusion. i am still at gathering parts stage at the moment. i have got the pc and vr goggles almost sorted. got a chunky power supply and igbt motor controllers on the way from china. good luck with your build. i think i have decided on geared dc brush motors.wiating for some qoutes on price. i anm thinking of use wheeechair motors but getting 6 of hem all running at the same speed may be a problem.
    bob golding, Mar 7, 2022
    #6