Page 334 - Robots Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

16.16 Schematic of air valve controller
313

More air
The air muscle, as previously discussed, uses compressed air from a
PET plastic air storage bottle and foot pump. One can use com-
pressed air from just about any source that’s available. For instance,
you can purchase small compressed air canisters used for air
brushing. In fact, airbrushing supplies may provide you with a list
of suitable tubing and fittings to experiment with.

There are a few small electric air compressors available on the
market. The more expensive ones, made for airbrush painting,
have metal storage containers and air pressure regulators. At the
other end of the market are the inexpensive 12-VDC portable air
compressors used for tire inflation. These compressors typically
do not have an air pressure regulator or air storage. These items
may be purchased to make an inexpensive pneumatic system.

Never use plastic PET bottles for air storage with any kind of auto-
matic air compressor. The plastic PET bottles are only suitable
for air storage with hand (or foot) operated air pumps. Always
use an air storage tank with any automatic air compressor. Small
air storage tanks are not expensive.

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