Design and Optimization of Universal Inspection Cells with Energy-Efficient Pneumatic Actuation

The study presents the design and simulation of a pneumatic drive unit intended for energy-efficient vehicle propulsion. The research focuses on developing a MATLAB 23.2/Simulink-based model that accurately represents the dynamic behavior of double-acting pneumatic actuators, including the interaction between pressure, force, torque transmission, and wheel rotation. The model integrates pneumatic circuit parameters with mechanical drivetrain components, allowing a comprehensive evaluation of system performance and compressed-air consumption. The simulation architecture is fully modular and parameterized, enabling rapid reconfiguration for different drive layouts and operating conditions. Results demonstrate that the proposed model provides a realistic representation of the physical processes in pneumatic systems, offering valuable insights for optimizing actuator control, gear ratios, and energy management strategies. Identified challenges include computational complexity and sensitivity to manually defined parameters, which highlight opportunities for further refinement. The developed model serves as a practical design and analysis tool for future engineers engaged in the development of sustainable pneumatic propulsion systems and educational simulations. Future work will address adaptive control algorithms, improved visualization using multibody dynamics, and optimization of air consumption under varying load conditions.