Pneumatic technology works by compressing air or other stable gases in a reservoir and then releasing it through a component called an actuator. The actuator contains pistons, cylinders and valves to properly transfer the force producing either a linear or rotary motion. These components all work together to control the compressed air allowing a specific amount of force to escape. Pneumatic tools can still be used even when the electrical power supply is gone that is, until the reservoir is depleted.
Most industrial pneumatic equipment is simple in its design and generally uses pressures of about 80 to 100 pounds per square inch, far less than hydraulic systems. These semantic factors results in increasing the operation life and safety of the pneumatics system. Some of the more common pneumatic air tools include wrenches, ratchets, jack hammers, drills, nail gun, brakes, sandblaster and paint sprayer. In modern times, pneumatic air brakes are commonly used on large trucks and buses, however when they were originally patented in 1872, by George Westinghouse, it was exclusively for railroad applications.