For a pneumatic system to function, the first step is to generate compressed air. This is done with a compressor that sucks in and compresses the ambient air. Pressures between 6 and 40 bar are used in pneumatics. In modern plants, the heat generated in large quantities during the production of compressed air can be used, among other things, as heating energy or to produce hot water. The compressed air coming out of the compressor must be treated in a further step. Various filters clean the air of any solid particles that may be present. In addition, it may be necessary to remove moisture from the air to prevent the pneumatic components from corroding due to precipitating water vapor when temperatures drop.

If the compressed air is not fed directly with a hose to a consumer, for example to an impact wrench, distribution via a piping system is necessary. It should be noted that the diameter of the lines should be sufficiently large to avoid increased flow resistance. It is also important that the compressed air flowing through is not contaminated by rust or other impurities. To compensate for pressure fluctuations, it makes sense to install a compressed air storage tank in the system. This is a storage tank that is installed downstream of the compressor and holds a certain volume of compressed air to absorb fluctuations in the piping system. Such a compressed air storage tank has the added advantage that the compressor does not have to operate continuously to maintain pressure in the piping. As the air in the reservoir cools, condensation occurs and must be drained regularly.