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Table of Contents
Motorized Lego Air Compressor
Keywords: Lego, Pneumatic, Sequencing, Circuit, Cylinder, air compressor
Motivation and Audience
This tutorial is to create a source for air flow for pneumatic circuits. Using the battery box and the power functions M Motor, electric current is turned into rotational force which translates into reciprocating force to power the pump. This pump compresses the air so that when the switch is facing the left side, the will be a constant air flow into the tank and when the switch is flipped, the pressure from the pump is relived into the atmosphere.
Parts List and Sources
| Part Description | Part # | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Technic Axle 3 | 4519 | 1 |
| Technic Pin With Friction | 4459 | 17 |
| Technic Pin Long with Friction | 6558 | 1 |
| Technic Pin Long | 32556 | 2 |
| Technic Bush with Two Flanges | 3713 | 1 |
| Technic Beam 3 | 32523 | 1 |
| Technic Beam 5 | 32316 | 4 |
| Technic Beam 7 | 32524 | 5 |
| Technic Beam 7 x 5 with Open Center 5 x 3 | 64179 | 1 |
| Technic Brick 1 x 14 with Holes | 32018 | 1 |
| Technic Brick 1 x 4 With Holes | 3701 | 2 |
| Technic Brick 1 x 6 with Holes | 3894 | 2 |
| Technic Plate 2 x 4 with Holes | 3709b | 1 |
| Technic Plate 2 x 6 with Holes | 32001 | 1 |
| Technic Pulley Wheel 5D | 3736 | 1 |
| Technic Pneumatic Valve with Pegholes | 47223b | 1 |
| Technic Pneumatic Pump 2 x 2 x 5 | 2797c02 | 1 |
| Technic Pneumatic Air Tank | 58120 | 1 |
| Pneumatic Hose - Various Length | 5102 | 1 |
| Electric Power Functions M Motor | 8883 | 1 |
| Electric Power Functions Battery Box | 88000 | 1 |
Construction
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Final Words
For small circuit with few pistons, manually pumping the pneumatic pump provides adequate pressure, but it is not automatic. This motorized compressor provides adequate air flow for medium sized pneumatic circuits. In future designs, if you find this compressor is not meeting the circuits needs, more components can be added such as a more powerful or second motor, a second air tank, or more pumps.