Domain 05 · Fluid Power Systems · Industrial Automation

Hydraulics &
Pneumatics

Complete fluid power systems for manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. From $50 components to $50K industrial systems. IoT-integrated monitoring, predictive maintenance, and 3D-printable custom parts.

Explore Components → Hydraulic vs Pneumatic ▶
$50B
Global Market
1000+
Ton Force
$50-50K
Price Range
90%
Efficiency
3D
Print Custom Parts
IoT
Ready Systems
HEAD TO HEAD

Hydraulic vs
Pneumatic

Two fluid power technologies, each with distinct advantages. Understanding the differences is key to choosing the right system for your application.

⚙️

Hydraulic Systems

  • Working FluidOil (Incompressible)
  • Pressure Range100-400+ bar
  • Force OutputVery High
  • SpeedModerate
  • PrecisionExcellent
  • Best ForHeavy Machinery
  • ExamplesPresses, Excavators, Cranes
  • MaintenanceOil changes, filter replacement
  • Cost Range$200-50K+
💨

Pneumatic Systems

  • Working FluidAir (Compressible)
  • Pressure Range6-10 bar
  • Force OutputLow-Medium
  • SpeedVery Fast
  • PrecisionModerate
  • Best ForAssembly & Packaging
  • ExamplesGrippers, Conveyors, Tools
  • MaintenanceAir filter, dryer maintenance
  • Cost Range$50-5K
HYDRAULIC CATALOG

Hydraulic
Components

Complete catalog of hydraulic system components with pricing. From power units to fittings, everything needed to design and build hydraulic systems.

Power Unit Components
Component Description Price Range Notes
Hydraulic Pump Gear, vane, or piston type; converts mechanical to hydraulic energy $50-5,000 Gear pumps cheapest; piston for high pressure
Electric Motor Drives the hydraulic pump; single or three-phase $100-2,000 Size matched to pump flow/pressure needs
Reservoir / Tank Stores hydraulic oil; includes baffles and breather $50-500 Size = 3x pump flow rate per minute
Hydraulic Oil ISO VG 32/46/68; anti-wear hydraulic fluid $3-8/L AW46 most common; change every 2000 hours
Oil Filter Return line, pressure line, or suction filter $20-200 10-25 micron; replace every 500-1000 hours
Oil Cooler Air or water cooled; maintains oil temperature $100-1,000 Required for continuous-duty systems
Relief Valve Safety valve; limits max system pressure $30-300 Set 10% above working pressure
🔨 Hydraulic Actuators
Actuator Description Price Range Application
Single-Acting Cylinder Hydraulic extend, spring or gravity return $30-500 Jacks, lifts, simple presses
Double-Acting Cylinder Hydraulic extend and retract; full force both ways $50-2,000 Presses, loaders, industrial machines
Telescopic Cylinder Multi-stage for long stroke in compact space $200-5,000 Dump trucks, cranes, lifts
Hydraulic Motor Converts hydraulic pressure to rotary motion $100-3,000 Conveyor drives, winches, mixers
Rotary Actuator Limited rotation output; rack-and-pinion or vane $150-2,000 Clamps, rotary tables, steering
🎓 Hydraulic Control Valves
Valve Type Description Price Range Notes
Directional Valve (4/3) 4-port, 3-position; controls cylinder direction $50-500 Manual lever or solenoid operated
Solenoid Valve Electrically operated directional control $30-300 12V/24V DC or 110V/220V AC coils
Proportional Valve Variable flow/pressure based on electrical signal $200-2,000 Analog 0-10V or 4-20mA control
Servo Valve High-precision flow control for CNC/robotics $500-5,000 Fastest response; highest accuracy
Check Valve One-way flow; prevents backflow $10-100 Essential safety component
Flow Control Valve Adjustable flow rate; controls actuator speed $20-200 Meter-in or meter-out configuration
Pressure Reducing Valve Reduces pressure for secondary circuits $50-400 Creates lower-pressure sub-systems
🔧 Hydraulic Fittings & Hoses
Item Description Price Range Notes
Hydraulic Hoses Reinforced rubber; rated by pressure class $5-50/m SAE 100R1/R2; replace every 5-7 years
Fittings BSP, JIC, or NPT thread; adapters and tees $1-20 Match thread type to components
Quick Couplings Quick-connect/disconnect for hose lines $5-30 Flat-face type prevents spills
PNEUMATIC CATALOG

Pneumatic
Components

Compressed air system components for fast, clean automation. Lower cost and simpler than hydraulics, ideal for assembly lines and packaging.

💨 Air Supply Components
Component Description Price Range Notes
Air Compressor Piston or rotary screw; provides compressed air $200-5,000 Size by CFM requirement + 25% headroom
Air Dryer Removes moisture from compressed air $100-1,000 Refrigerated or desiccant type
Filter/Regulator (FRL) Filters particles, regulates pressure to set point $20-100 Install at each work station
Lubricator Adds oil mist to air for tool/cylinder lubrication $15-60 Not needed for oil-free cylinders
🔨 Pneumatic Actuators
Actuator Description Price Range Application
Standard Cylinder ISO 15552; double-acting, cushioned ends $20-200 General purpose; push/pull/clamp
Compact Cylinder Short body; ISO 21287; space-constrained mounting $15-150 Tight spaces; short stroke applications
Rodless Cylinder Carriage moves along cylinder body; long stroke $100-500 Conveyors, gantries, material transfer
Pneumatic Gripper Parallel or angular jaw; pick-and-place $50-500 Assembly, sorting, packaging lines
Rotary Actuator 90/180/360 degree rotation from air pressure $100-600 Part orientation, indexing, flipping
🎓 Pneumatic Valves
Valve Type Description Price Range Notes
5/2 Solenoid Valve 5-port, 2-position; standard cylinder control $15-100 Single or double solenoid; most common
5/3 Center Closed 5-port, 3-position; cylinder holds position mid-stroke $25-150 For mid-position stop applications
Proportional Valve Variable air flow for speed/force control $100-800 Analog signal input; precision motion
Speed Controller Inline flow restrictor; adjusts cylinder speed $5-30 Meter-out for stable speed control
SMART SYSTEMS

IoT Integration with
ESP32

Transform traditional fluid power systems into smart, connected machines. ESP32 enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote control via MQTT/WiFi.

📈

Pressure Sensors

Monitor system pressure in real-time with analog or I2C pressure transducers. Set alerts for abnormal pressure drops or spikes that indicate leaks or blockages.

$5-30 per sensor
💧

Flow Sensors

Track hydraulic oil or air flow rates through the system. Detect flow anomalies that indicate worn pumps, clogged filters, or internal leakage in cylinders.

$10-50 per sensor
🌡️

Temperature Monitoring

Oil temperature directly affects viscosity and system performance. DS18B20 or thermocouple sensors trigger cooling systems and warn of overheating conditions.

$2-15 per sensor
🛠️

Predictive Maintenance

Machine learning on vibration and pressure data predicts bearing failures, seal wear, and pump degradation before breakdowns occur. Reduce downtime by 50%+.

ESP32-S3 + Sensors
💻

Remote Dashboards

Web-based dashboards show real-time system status, historical trends, and maintenance schedules. Access from any device via WiFi or cloud connectivity.

ESP32 + Web Server
📡

MQTT / WiFi Connectivity

ESP32 connects to local MQTT brokers or cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Google Cloud IoT). Enable remote monitoring, OTA updates, and fleet management.

Built into ESP32
PAKISTAN APPLICATIONS

Industry Applications

Hydraulic and pneumatic systems power key industries across Pakistan. From manufacturing hubs in Sialkot and Faisalabad to agricultural heartlands of Punjab and Sindh.

🏭

Manufacturing

  • Power presses for metal forming
  • Injection molding machines
  • CNC hydraulic bending
  • Sheet metal stamping
  • Forging press operations
🌾

Agriculture

  • Tractor hydraulic systems
  • Harvester mechanisms
  • Irrigation pump drives
  • Grain handling equipment
  • Livestock feeding systems
🏗️

Construction

  • Excavators and backhoes
  • Tower and mobile cranes
  • Concrete pump trucks
  • Pile driving equipment
  • Earth moving machinery
🤖

Automation

  • Industrial robot actuators
  • Assembly line automation
  • Pneumatic pick-and-place
  • Packaging machinery
  • Sorting and conveying
BUILD & DEPLOY

Complete System
Examples

Ready-to-build system designs with full component lists and estimated costs. From small workshop presses to IoT-monitored industrial installations.

🔨

Small Hydraulic Press

10-20 ton workshop press for metal forming, bearing pressing, and general fabrication work.

  • Hydraulic power unit (pump + motor)
  • Double-acting cylinder (10-20 ton)
  • 4/3 directional control valve
  • Steel frame (welded or bolted)
  • Pressure gauge and relief valve
  • Hoses, fittings, oil
$500 - $2,000
💨

Pneumatic Assembly Station

Automated pick-and-place station for light assembly, packaging, and sorting operations.

  • Air compressor (50L+ tank)
  • FRL unit (filter/regulator/lubricator)
  • 2x pneumatic cylinders
  • Pneumatic gripper
  • 5/2 solenoid valves
  • PLC or ESP32 controller
$1,000 - $5,000
🤖

Hydraulic Robot Arm

Multi-axis hydraulic manipulator for heavy-duty material handling, welding, or painting.

  • High-pressure power unit
  • 4-6 servo/proportional valves
  • Multiple hydraulic cylinders
  • Rotary actuators for joints
  • Position feedback sensors
  • Industrial controller + HMI
$5,000 - $20,000
📡

IoT-Monitored System

Add-on IoT monitoring package for any existing hydraulic or pneumatic system.

  • ESP32 development board
  • Pressure transducers (2-4x)
  • Temperature sensors (2-3x)
  • Flow sensor
  • Vibration sensor (ADXL345)
  • OLED display + web dashboard
$200 - $500 add-on
CRITICAL SAFETY

Safety &
Best Practices

Fluid power systems operate at extreme pressures. Proper safety protocols are non-negotiable. A pinhole hydraulic leak at 200 bar can penetrate skin and cause severe injury.

⚠️

Pressure Ratings

Always use components rated for 4:1 safety factor above working pressure. Never exceed rated pressure. Use calibrated pressure gauges and test annually.

🔍

Hose Inspection

Inspect hoses weekly for cracks, bulges, leaks, and abrasion. Replace at first sign of damage or per manufacturer schedule (5-7 years max). Never use cardboard to find leaks.

🔒

Lock-Out Procedures

Always depressurize system completely before maintenance. Use lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) on electrical and pressure sources. Verify zero pressure with gauge before opening lines.

🧱

PPE Requirements

Safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and heavy-duty gloves mandatory. Face shield for high-pressure work. Hearing protection near compressors. No loose clothing near rotating parts.

WHERE TO BUY

Suppliers &
Sources

From budget-friendly marketplaces to professional-grade industrial suppliers. Choose based on your quality requirements and budget constraints.

Budget / Starter

Online Marketplaces

  • AliExpress — Widest range of budget hydraulic and pneumatic components; 2-4 week shipping
  • Banggood — Good selection of small cylinders, valves, and fittings; faster shipping options
  • Amazon — Quick delivery for basic components; good for prototyping
  • Daraz.pk — Local delivery; limited but growing selection
Professional / Hydraulic

Industrial Brands

  • Parker Hannifin — Global leader in hydraulic systems; full catalog of pumps, valves, cylinders
  • Bosch Rexroth — Premium hydraulic and motion control; industrial automation focus
  • Eaton Hydraulics — Power management; heavy-duty mobile and industrial
  • Danfoss — Mobile hydraulics; agricultural and construction equipment
Professional / Pneumatic

Pneumatic Specialists

  • SMC Corporation — World's largest pneumatic manufacturer; widest product range
  • Festo — Premium pneumatic automation; excellent training resources
  • IMI Norgren — Motion and fluid control; strong in food/beverage industry
  • Camozzi — Italian pneumatics; good balance of quality and price

Ready to Build Fluid Power Systems?

Combine hydraulics and pneumatics with ESP32 IoT monitoring for smart, connected industrial systems. Start with a simple press or pneumatic station and scale up.

$500
Min Press Build
$200
IoT Add-on Kit
50%+
Less Downtime
90%
System Efficiency
IoT Integration Guide → Browse All Projects ▶