Computer Controlled Air Gas Flow Process Unit 486DX2 SMC Valves Variac Staco

Computer Controlled Air Gas Flow Process Unit 486DX2 SMC Valves Variac Staco

This is a custom-integrated, computer-controlled air and gas flow process automation system built around a 486DX2 66MHz desktop PC and a dedicated blue steel control enclosure. The PC communicates with the control box via a Data Translation data acquisition card and two Opto 22 controller cards, allowing software-driven management of solenoid valves, regulated power, and variable AC output via the internal Staco variac. A front-panel Watts pressure gauge and pneumatic tubing with quick-connect fittings complete the gas/air circuit. This type of system was used in laboratory and light industrial environments where precise, computer-automated control of pneumatic or gas flow sequences was required — such as semiconductor process equipment, laboratory test stands, environmental test chambers, or research flow-control rigs.

Specifications & What's Included

• Host computer: Intel 486DX2 66MHz desktop PC
• Hard drive: 40MB HDD
• Data acquisition: 1x Data Translation DAQ card with ribbon cable
• I/O control: 2x Opto 22 controller cards with cables
• Video card: included (make/model not legible in photos)
• Solenoid valves: 9x SMC VZ2150 air solenoid valves on manifold
• Solid state relays: G120D10 SSRs on valve manifold board
• Variac: Staco Energy Products SQ 1010 — Input 120V AC, Output 0–140V AC, 10A, 1.4 KVA, 50/60Hz
• Regulated power supply: P32-T 293
• Power supply 1: Powerone HB24-1.2A
• Power supply 2: Powerone HB5-3/OVP
• Transducer: Transducer & Systems EL-2
• Transformer: GE 9T51B0125
• RFI filter: Corcom 10VR1 Two-Stage General Purpose RFI Power Line Filter
• Front-panel pressure gauge: Watts dual-scale (bar/PSI)
• Rear connectors (control box): large circular multi-pin connector, 2x red binding posts, ribbon cable headers, dual IEC AC power inlets
• PC rear connectors: DB15 (VGA), DB25 (parallel), ISA expansion slots, IEC AC inlet
• Included accessories: keyboard, green pneumatic tubing with brass quick-connect fittings and inline valve, ribbon cable interconnects
• Enclosure: custom blue steel box with front-panel pressure gauge and rotary variac knob

Applications

Computer-controlled pneumatic and gas flow systems of this type were used in laboratory and light industrial settings from the early-to-mid 1990s — the era when 486-class PCs became capable enough to serve as embedded process controllers. Data acquisition cards from companies like Data Translation allowed the PC to read analog sensor signals (pressure, flow, temperature), while digital I/O through Opto 22 modules drove solenoid valves and relays. Common applications included automated gas delivery sequencing for semiconductor CVD or etch tools, multi-channel flow switching for environmental test rigs, laboratory gas blending stations, and research apparatus requiring timed or feedback-controlled pneumatic switching. The Staco variac inside provides variable AC voltage output (0–140V from a 120V input), which was often used to power resistive heating elements or other AC loads within the same process sequence. Systems like this are still sought by researchers and engineers who need a self-contained, PC-programmable pneumatic control platform for legacy process equipment or custom test stand integration.