The Big Engineering MakerSpace | Test Pneumatic System

Thank you for choosing Thames & Kosmos and for your interest in our Big Engineering MakerSpace kit.

We are sorry that your pneumatic system isn’t building any pressure. Let’s try some troubleshooting.

First, we want to set up the test pneumatic system, found on page 4 of your manual. Here is how it should look:

 

 

First, place the O-ring (#61) inside of the pump (#63) and then screw in the air tank (#62).

Now, slip the small security nut (#57) around the 25 cm tube and then attach it to the pump. Attach the other end of the tube to the rubber-covered piece in the center of the switch (#58), twisting it on until it is secured in place.

Attach the 20 cm tube to the hole to the left and then attach the other end to the valve as shown below.

 

Now attach the other 20 cm tube the other section of the valve. Tighten the valve as much as you can and then slightly loosen it to allow some air-flow.

Attach the other end of the 20 cm tube to the end of the pneumatic cylinder with the piston and the 40 cm tube to the other side.

 

Attach the other end of the 40 cm tube to the hole to the right of the switch.

Move the switch to the center position and begin pumping. You should feel pressure start to build up around the 25th pump. Pump up to 50 times and then move the switch to the left or right. If it doesn't do anything, move the switch to the other side. One of them will cause the piston to move up. Move it to the opposite side and with your finger, you should be able to depress the piston.

I hope that resolved the issue. If not, we kindly ask you to send a photo of your test model to [e-mail] along with the following information:

- Your mailing address and phone number
- Date of purchase (or when you received it as a gift) and the retailer it was purchased from
- The production code from your box (an alphanumeric code located in the white square with the UPC bar code)
- Some details of what your findings were after building the test model.

If you have any additional questions about this or any of our other kits, please do not hesitate in including them in your email to us.

Thank you again for choosing Thames & Kosmos. We hope you and your family will continue to enjoy our products for many years to come.

Kind regards,
The Thames & Kosmos Technical Support Team