Automation is a term for technology applications where human input is minimized. Even though the advances in industrial automation enhance the usage of electro-magnetic, vacuum grippers etc., Pneumatic systems are predominantly used in Industries for all kinds of operations, namely, material handling, stamping, drilling, hosting, punching, clamping etc. Pneumatic systems use air as the medium because air is sufficient and can be quickly exhausted into the atmosphere after completing its assigned task. In addition, the pneumatic system is less costly to build and operate. Considering the importance of Pneumatics systems in Industrial automation, a Workshop on the Design of Industrial Pneumatics systems was organised for the faculty members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering by Automation and Robotics TAG and Department of Mechanical Engineering at Festo training centre, Festo India Pvt ltd., Shenoy Nagar, Chennai – 600 030. The resource person Mr. V. Venkatesh is from Festo India; it was organized as part of the MoU signed between Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai and Festo India Pvt Ltd. The resource person has an experience of more than 40 years in designing pneumatic and hydraulic circuits.

All the participants arrived at the venue by 9.30 AM on 01-07-2022 using the transport facility provided by the management of Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai. The resource person from Festo India received them. The workshop started at 10.00 AM. Mr. V. Venkatesh began the training by briefly introducing the activities at Festo didactic. He then introduced all the essential components required to build a pneumatic control system like cylinders with pistons, 3/2, 5/2 direction flow control valves etc. After the tea break, Mr Venkatesh started explaining how to design a control circuit for different applications starting from the primary examples. The sessions went on very well with the participants’ active and enthusiastic participation. After lunch, the resource person engaged all participants with the training kits available at the center for hands-on training. The resource person handed over the handouts he prepared to distribute to the participants. All the participants could finish the assigned tasks to them. Day 1 was concluded by 06.30 PM, and all the participants left the facility by 06.30 PM using the transport facility provided by Amrita.

Day 2 started early, by 09.00 AM. The resource person introduced all the important components involved in electro-pneumatics circuits: solenoid valves, pressure reducers, etc. Post tea, he taught introductory courses and what should be the approach to designing the circuits. Post lunch hands-on training on Electro-pneumatics circuits (designed and printed examples were given to all the participants, and they are supposed to create the courses using those sketches in the training kits). Post tea, Dr. Giridharan P. K. shared his experience about the interaction with the resource person and the program. Mr. V. Venkatesh complimented the participants by saying they were very active and enthusiastic. The program ended with the Vote of Thanks by Dr K. L. Vasudev. Day 2 concluded at 05.30 PM. The active participation and enthusiasm from the participants made the program a grand success.