CIM & Automation Technology

Lecture 5 Electropneumatic Sequencing

Cylinder Sequencing

In the control of multiple cylinders the motion of each cylinder is indicated by

a displacement-step or sequence diagram. The conditions at the start and during
each stage of the sequence are shown by a function diagram. In order for the
circuit to operate properly overlapping signals must be avoided.

Sequencing Example 1

Two cylinders A and B are to operate in the sequence A+ B+ A- B-. The

cylinders are to be controlled by the electrical limit switches S1, S2, S3, S4.
A retentive pushbutton is to be used to start the sequence. The sequence and
function diagrams are shown below:

The sequence is as follows:

Cylinder A extends and activates S2

Cylinder B extends and activates S4

Cylinder A retracts and activates S1

Cylinder B retracts and activates S3

The sequence is repeated as long as the pushbutton switch is closed. The

pneumatic and electrical circuit diagrams for the sequence are shown below.
Note that two limit switches are activated at each step in the sequence.

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Electrical Circuit

At the start of the sequence both cylinders are retracted and both S1 and S3 are
activated. At the second step in the sequence both S2 and S3 are activated. At
the third step in the sequence both S2 and S4 are activated. At the fourth step in
the sequence both S1 and S4 are activated. The four steps in the sequence are
shown in the following electrical circuit simulations.

Simulation 1 shows that S1 switches solenoid Y4 and S3 switches solenoid Y1.

Simulation 2 shows that S2 switches solenoid Y3 and S3 switches solenoid Y1.
Simulation 3 shows that S2 switches solenoid Y3 and S4 switches solenoid Y2.
Simulation 4 shows that S1 switches solenoid Y4 and S4 switches solenoid Y2.

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Simulation 1 Simulation 2

Simulation 3 Simulation 4

Sequencing Example 2

In the previous sequence one limit switch was used to control each solenoid on
the double solenoid valve. In the next sequence the two cylinders A and B are to
operate in the sequence A+ B+ B- A- controlled by the electrical limit switches
S1, S2, S3, S4. The sequence and function diagrams are shown below:

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The sequence is as follows:

Cylinder A extends and activates S2

Cylinder B extends and activates S4

Cylinder B retracts and activates S3

Cylinder A retracts and activates S1

The sequence is repeated as long as the pushbutton switch is closed. The

pneumatic and electrical circuit diagrams for the sequence are shown below.
Note that two limit switches are activated at each step in the sequence.

Electrical Circuit

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At the start of the sequence both cylinders are retracted and both S1 and S3 are
activated. At the second step in the sequence both S2 and S3 are activated. At
the third step in the sequence both S2 and S4 are activated. At the fourth step in
the sequence both S2 and S3 are activated.

The simulation for step 1 shows that S1 switches Y1 and S3 switches Y2.
Therefore both solenoids on the control valve for Cylinder A are actuated. This
is an example of signal overlap. The simulation for step 3 shows that S2
switches Y3 and S4 switches Y4. Therefore again both solenoids on the control
valve for Cylinder B are actuated.

Signal overlap (Step 1) Signal Overlap (Step 3)

The modified circuit below shows how signal overlap can be prevented. The
circuit uses interlocking contacts on Y2 and Y3 controlled by a relay K1. The
four steps in the sequence are shown in the following electrical circuit
simulations.

Modified Electrical Circuit

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Simulation 1 shows that S1 energises relay K1 and changes over the interlocking
contacts K1. S1 also switches solenoid Y1. Simulation 2 shows that S2 switches
on solenoid Y3. The relay K1 remains energised. Simulation 3 shows that S4
de-energises relay K1 and changes back the interlocking contacts K1. S4 also
switches solenoid Y4. Simulation 4 shows that S3 switches solenoid Y2. The
relay K1 remains de-energised.

Simulation 1 Simulation 2

Simulation 3 Simulation 4

Note that two sets of contacts are needed on limit switch S1. There is normally
only one set of contacts on the limit switch so an additional relay can solve the
problem. The circuit with the additional relay added is shown.

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