Mechanical, Build & PneumaticsModule 5 of 12

Pneumatics Fundamentals: How Air Becomes Motion

Understand what pneumatics is, why teams use it, and the architecture of the FRC air circuit. This module builds the mental model of the two-pressure system and the job of each component before you touch hardware.

Pneumatics Fundamentals: How Air Becomes Motion is module 5 of 12 in the Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics guide. It picks up where Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Assembly left off and hands over to The Components: Controllers, Compressor, Valves, and Cylinders. Its 3 lessons are about 62 minutes of the guide's ~21 hours.

3 lessons~62 min47 lessons in this guide

Start with lesson 1 All of Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics

In this module

3 lessons

01What Pneumatics Is and Why FRC Teams Use ItPneumatics is fluid power using compressed air to create motion. This lesson explains the core idea and the real advantages it gives an FRC robot.20 min read

02The Two-Pressure Circuit: High Side vs Working SideEvery legal FRC pneumatic system splits into a high-pressure storage side and a lower working-pressure side, joined by the primary regulator. This lesson maps the whole circuit.22 min read

03Pneumatics vs Motors: Choosing the Right ActuatorA decision framework for when compressed air beats an electric motor, and when it does not. Learn to match the actuator to the mechanism.20 min read

Previous moduleMechanisms, Fabrication, and Assembly

Next moduleThe Components: Controllers, Compressor, Valves, and Cylinders

All 12 modules in Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics

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