Hello, I'm a student who's trying to approach to arduino's world....as an experiment, I want to control a pneumatic double effect linear actuator using a bi-stable 5/2 electrovalve. First, I want the actuator to move until its limit switch and stand there for 3 sec, then it must retun to its initial position and stand there for 12 sec, and I need to repeat the cycle. The material that I have for this experiment is the actuator, the electrovalve (working in 24V dc), two 24 V monostable relays, a 220 to 24V switching power supply and an arduino uno board. I'd like to ask you to help me about the linking of the components and, eventually, any advice about the arduino's sketch i have to write. Thanks to all of you!
the project is not really that different from any other that moves things.
one thing you let out was your power source. compressor or tank ? compressed air uses a lot of volume and is a very poor choice for self contained vehicles. not that I know how you could use a linear actuator for a vehicle....
the 5/2 valve is not hard. it acts like a relay in the electronics world. the extra 2 ports for venting.
in order to move the solenoid valve, you have to drive on the relay. what you need is a logic level FET that can handle the 24VDC relays.
you energize one relay to drive the 5/2 valve in one direction. you say you have end switches, but I believe you will find that they may not be needed. the pneumatics will drive the actuator full stroke no matter what you do.
however, since you want to use them, wait till the switch makes,count 3, then switch the other way.
this is all probably stuff you know.
for us, if you need help driving the relays, post a link to the data sheet.
if you want to move your actuator slower, add a restrictor in the line. the tiny orifice will reduce how fast you can travel. a parallel valve with a larger restrictor will allow 2 speeds.
Hi,
Hello,
I'm a student who's trying to approach to arduino's world....
As an experiment, I want to control a pneumatic double effect linear actuator using a bi-stable 5/2 electrovalve.First, I want the actuator to move until its limit switch and stand there for 3 sec,
then it must return to its initial position and stand there for 12 sec,
and I need to repeat the cycle.
The material that I have for this experiment is the actuator,
the electrovalve (working in 24V dc),
two 24 V monostable relays,
a 220 to 24V switching power supply
and an arduino uno board.
I'd like to ask you to help me about the linking of the components and, eventually, any advice about the arduino's sketch i have to write.
Thanks to all of you!
Welcome to the forum.
Please read the first post in any forum entitled how to use this forum.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,148850.0.html
What you want to do is possible, but we need;
link to spec/data on the actuator
link to spec/data on the electrovalve
link to spec/data on the 24V relays
link to spec/data on power supply.
Why?
Because these are all going to be integrated and current and power requirements need to be considered.
For example you cannot drive a relay directly from the UNO.
What is your electronics, programming, arduino, hardware experience?
Is this a school/college/university project?
Have you tried programming your UNO yet?
Do you have a circuit diagram worked out?
Sorry for all the questions, but they will eventually be asked.
Tom.... 
First of all, I want to thank you for your quick replies. I'm a mechanical engineering student who has no experience in this field, but I'd like to learn to use arduino. I need to realize this system as a holder for some specimens that will be exposed into a flame (only the specimen will be exposed to it), that's the reason why I need to impose the time cycle aforementioned. I will use air, provided from a compressor, as the operating fluid for the actuator (pressure: 3 bar). These are the specs for all the components:
-
switching power supply: http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/136f/0900766b8136fec0.pdf (24V option);
-
relays: 24V cc input, absorbed power: 0,75 W, max. commutation current: 10A;
-electrovalve: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pneumatic-solenoid-pilot-operated-control-valves/0537482/;
actuator: the operative pressure range is 1 to 10 bar.
I also have an arduino uno smd board, which i'd like to connect to a pc. Sorry that I can't give you all the datasheets, but unfortunately some of them are not available. Hope I did give you all the informations that you need. I also specify that I do not posses any switches apart the relays. If you can help me about the connections of the components I will be grateful to you.