Pneumatic ram/ air ram

Jexbullcalf

Lads anyone know where to get an pneumatic ram and associated bits and bobs.
I want to make up a drafting gate. Any other info would be appreciated too as never done this stuff before.

patsy_mccabe

From pneumatic suppliers such as SMC, festo, Bosch.
Normal air pressure is about 6 bar, so use that for calculating the force generated. You will also need a manual directional valve and all the fittings and hoses.

Have a look at these also
http://www.flomax.ie/m/Catalogue/PNEUMATIC-EQUIPMENT
There cheaper than the others but quality might be back a bit.

Jexbullcalf

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

From pneumatic suppliers such as SMC, festo, Bosch.
Normal air pressure is about 6 bar, so use that for calculating the force generated. You will also need a manual directional valve and all the fittings and hoses.

Patsy you know your stuff, have you done something similar?
I'm moving a 10ft gate. But only moving it a distance of 6ft left and right at the parlour exit (I know this is not the best way to do it but I'm I've no money for a fancy one!!!) what kind of size ram do I need? What kind of switch controls it?
I have air in the parlour already.
Thanks in advance.

dh1985

Jexbullcalf wrote: »

Lads anyone know where to get an pneumatic ram and associated bits and bobs.
I want to make up a drafting gate. Any other info would be appreciated too as never done this stuff before.

Radionics have a great online catalogue of parts

RightTurnClyde

Depends on what area of the country you're in but "Air Impact" in Thurles might be of some help. A good supplier of milking parlour parts would have the gear you need as well.

Jexbullcalf

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Depends on what area of the country you're in but "Air Impact" in Thurles might be of some help. A good supplier of milking parlour parts would have the gear you need as well.

Wouldn't be too far out of range to head there. Thanks for all the replies lads!!

patsy_mccabe

A few figures that might help you.
For 6 Bar air pressure, you'll get the following pushing force in the air cylinder.
Air Cylinder Diameter Pushing Force
30mm.......................43Kg Force
40.............................77
50 ............................120

If you can estimate what force you need, then you can work back to the diameter of cylinder to suit. Bare in mind that a longer gate will take a higher force to close quickly.

For the stroke of the cylinder, you need to measure from the point where you will mount the cylinder on the gate to the fixed point on say a wall or bracket. This length will be the free length of the cylinder, and the extra bit to close the gate will be the stroke. So a bit of angle and lengths to work out.
AS for working the cylinder, simple manual directional valve will do, say push forward to close the gate and pull back to open. No need for any electrics at all.

Jexbullcalf

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

A few figures that might help you.
For 6 Bar air pressure, you'll get the following pushing force in the air cylinder.
Air Cylinder Diameter Pushing Force
30mm.......................43Kg Force
40.............................77
50 ............................120

If you can estimate what force you need, then you can work back to the diameter of cylinder to suit. Bare in mind that a longer gate will take a higher force to close quickly.

For the stroke of the cylinder, you need to measure from the point where you will mount the cylinder on the gate to the fixed point on say a wall or bracket. This length will be the free length of the cylinder, and the extra bit to close the gate will be the stroke. So a bit of angle and lengths to work out.
AS for working the cylinder, simple manual directional valve will do, say push forward to close the gate and pull back to open. No need for any electrics at all.

Great stuff Patsy, I'm gonna mount the cylinder on the outside wall and weld up a bit of a concoction that'll attach to the ram and push the gate so don't need a massive length of a ram but as you said it's the force I need to close it quick enough if that makes sense?

kowtow

Jexbullcalf wrote: »

Great stuff Patsy, I'm gonna mount the cylinder on the outside wall and weld up a bit of a concoction that'll attach to the ram and push the gate so don't need a massive length of a ram but as you said it's the force I need to close it quick enough if that makes sense?

I've some air gates to put into the parlour that came out of another and I notice they are configured so that the ram length acts on a hinge or lever, presumably to multiply the scope of the movement for the gate itself. Will try and find a picture.

I could well be wrong but I think it's a 3/2 or 5/2 valve or something like that which you need if you have a double acting ram for both back and forward. The flowfit catalogue has them combined with switches, spring levers etc. as well as on their own. You can also get them with an input for a relay or trigger valve, either electric or lightweight air..

patsy_mccabe

It's a 5/2 valve to switch direction.

Madisonmenece

We use PRM in Togher Cork from time to time for pneumatics spares, I would assume they would have what you need should you be down in that way.

larthehar

Moving a 10ft gate 6ft off centre right and 6ft off centre left? Or 3ft off centre each way?
An awful difference!

dzer2

You need double acting cylinder probably 50mm dia if you need speed use 12mm pipe 5/2 way valve 12/24volt dc control voltage. you can get all the info you need from festo or smc online. If you work out whats needed i can get you prices

Jexbullcalf

larthehar wrote: »

Moving a 10ft gate 6ft off centre right and 6ft off centre left? Or 3ft off centre each way?
An awful difference!

Ok lads that's a lot of info I think it's getting complicated for me!!
So this is what I have in my head.

Cows come out of parlour and turn left through a six foot exit.

Gate is in the normal position so resting up against the right hand side of parlours exit.

I see a lady to be drafted hit the switch and the gate swings and hits the far left of the exit, I presume I have to hit the switch again in quick succession to bring the gate back to the right of the exit e.g. Normal position to lock that cow into holding yard.

I'm thinking of putting the air ram on the wall at the left of the exit, therefore the ram will be fully extended when the gate is in the normal position e.g. Cows going to grass. And fully contracted when being drafted.
Jesus that makes sense in my head now lads so hope it doesn't sound like pure scutter to ye!!

Keepgrowing

Jexbullcalf wrote: »

Ok lads that's a lot of info I think it's getting complicated for me!!
So this is what I have in my head.

Cows come out of parlour and turn left through a six foot exit.

Gate is in the normal position so resting up against the right hand side of parlours exit.

I see a lady to be drafted hit the switch and the gate swings and hits the far left of the exit, I presume I have to hit the switch again in quick succession to bring the gate back to the right of the exit e.g. Normal position to lock that cow into holding yard.

I'm thinking of putting the air ram on the wall at the left of the exit, therefore the ram will be fully extended when the gate is in the normal position e.g. Cows going to grass. And fully contracted when being drafted.
Jesus that makes sense in my head now lads so hope it doesn't sound like pure scutter to ye!!

Something like this except ours is manual

Mooooo

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Jexbullcalf wrote: »

Ok lads that's a lot of info I think it's getting complicated for me!!
So this is what I have in my head.

Cows come out of parlour and turn left through a six foot exit.

Gate is in the normal position so resting up against the right hand side of parlours exit.

I see a lady to be drafted hit the switch and the gate swings and hits the far left of the exit, I presume I have to hit the switch again in quick succession to bring the gate back to the right of the exit e.g. Normal position to lock that cow into holding yard.

I'm thinking of putting the air ram on the wall at the left of the exit, therefore the ram will be fully extended when the gate is in the normal position e.g. Cows going to grass. And fully contracted when being drafted.
Jesus that makes sense in my head now lads so hope it doesn't sound like pure scutter to ye!!

Something like this except ours is manual

Are the cows single file going to that gate kg?

Jexbullcalf

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Something like this except ours is manual

Exactly like that only the gate is a bit bigger!! Does it work well? Is that a steel wire you have connecting to the rod pulling the gate?

Keepgrowing

Jexbullcalf wrote: »

Exactly like that only the gate is a bit bigger!! Does it work well? Is that a steel wire you have connecting to the rod pulling the gate?

Works a treat. Wire is to release hook that keeps draft pen closed, foot pedal to operate.

You've given me an idea to add an air ram already plumbed as parlour gates are on air