Topic hub

Mechanical and Pneumatics

The parts that move: pneumatic cylinders and valve types, actuator sizing, electric actuators, and how the mechanical choice constrains the control logic you can write.

Controls engineers inherit mechanical decisions. Whether a cylinder is single or double acting, whether a valve springs to a safe position on power loss, and how a solenoid is wired all decide what your ladder is allowed to do on an emergency stop, so they are worth understanding before you write the rung.

3 articles in this hub

Electric actuator sizing diagram showing torque, thrust and duty cycle callouts for valve automation
actuator sizingelectric actuatortorque calculation

Electric Actuator Sizing: Torque, Thrust and Duty

Size electric actuators correctly by calculating required torque or thrust, applying a safety factor, and matching duty cycle. Avoid the common mistakes that burn out actuators.

Jul 14, 2026 · 8 min read

Pneumatic solenoid valve types connected to PLC output terminals, flat vector diagram
pneumaticssolenoid valvesplc outputs

Pneumatic Solenoid Valves: Types, Wiring and PLC Control

Understand 2/2, 3/2, 5/2 and 5/3 pneumatic solenoid valve configurations, their wiring to PLC outputs, and the ladder logic that controls them correctly.

Jul 1, 2026 · 8 min read

Pneumatic cylinder sizing diagram showing bore, stroke, and force calculation labels
pneumaticsactuatorscylinder sizing

Pneumatic Cylinder Sizing: Force, Bore and Stroke

Learn how to size a pneumatic cylinder correctly: calculate bore diameter from required force, choose stroke length, and avoid the most common selection mistakes.

Jun 27, 2026 · 6 min read