Year 3 and 4 have been getting very technical this term as they have been looking at Pneumatic systems with the task of creating their very own pneumatic toy!
A pneumatic system is a collection of interconnected components using compressed air to do work for automated equipment. Examples can be found in industrial manufacturing, a home garage or a dentist office. This work is produced in the form of linear or rotary motion. The compressed air or pressurized gas is usually filtered and dried to protect the cylinders, actuators, tools and bladders performing the work. Some applications require a lubrication device that adds an oil mist to the closed pressurized system.
The task was to initially explore how pneumatic systems work by studying the internet and looking at pneumatic machinery used in manufacturing and finding out how it works and what uses this system has. The next stage was of course to create their own designs of a pneumatic toy and how it will work, followed by the uber exciting task of making that design come to life by building it!
We took some pictures of both the toys in action and the design stage, which can be seen in the gallery below. Well done to everyone. What a great job!