packing machine A machine for performing packing (into boxes) operations automatically
pad printing machine A printing machine that presses the type against a soft, absorbent pad, soaked in ink, before pressing it against the paper
paint spray gun A spray nozzle that is supported by a handle, and that has a trigger mechanism for controlling the flow of paint in from a pipe and out via the spray nozzle to the target object or surface
peristaltic pump A type of positive displacement pump in which the fluid is contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a pump casing. A rotor with a number of arms, bearing rollers or wipers on their ends, compresses the flexible tube
pH meter Apparatus for measuring the pH of the chemical into which the instrument's probes are placed
photodiode A diode that generates a voltage in the presence of light falling on it. Used as a sensor for light, or as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals
photoelectric sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light falling on it. Used as a light sensor, or as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals
piston pump A device for raising a fluid against a restraining force (such as gravity), or for pressurizing a fluid, using inlet and outlet valves to open and close at appropriate moments on a cylinder containing a reciprocating piston
plain bearing A bearing that supports the load simply by sliding the two surfaces against each other
planetary gearbox A gear box that uses pinion gears orbiting the central gearwheel, to achieve a large step-down ratio, and a smooth operation
plasma cutter A device that uses the concentrated energy in high temperature ionized gas (from an electric arc, or certain types of combustion products) to melt or burn the target substance, thereby cutting a slot as the point is traced out across the target
plasma cutting machine A machine for cutting steel electrically conductive material (notably steel). A powerful electric arc turns the air locally to plasma, which then vaporizes material
plastic enclosure A box, usually with a lid rather than a door, for housing equipment (such as electrics)
plastic pallet A plastic platform for holding boxes and other goods off the ground, so that they can be easily manipulated by forklift trucks
pneumatic actuator An actuator (a device that achieves mechanical displacement) under remote control using pneumatic power as the controlling medium
pneumatic cylinder A cylinder containing a piston that is moved (along with anything that is connected to it) by the pressure of the pneumatic fluid at the inlet
pneumatic fitting A fitting (such as a pipe connector) for use on pneumatic hose and pipework
pneumatic gripper A gripper device, with pairs of opposing fingers, to grab objects, with the opening and closing of the fingers controlled by pneumatics (using the pressure of air in a pipe)
pneumatic regulator A device for applying continuous control on the pressure of gas inside a pneumatic system
pneumatic solenoid valve A valve, to control the flow of pneumatic fluid in a pipe, that is opened and closed electrically, using an electromagnet to change the state of the valve
pneumatic valve A valve that is opened and closed by pneumatics (using the pressure of air in a pipe)
pneumatic vibrator A device, for vibrating objects that are place in or on it, that is powered by pneumatics (using the pressure of air in a pipe)
polishing machine A machine for polishing (rubbing with a soft,mildly abrasive surface, often in the form of a fast rotating disk, until the surface of the workpiece is very smooth and shiny)
portable gas detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that the proportion of certain gas (or class of gases) in a sample (such as air) is above some (small) threshold value, and that is portable enough to be carried from place to place in the field
position sensor A sensor for monitoring the linear or angular displacement from the initial or reference position
positioning system A system for controlling the positioning of one part on, in or with respect to another
positioning table A flat surface on which objects can be aligned with fine precision, and which can then be moved horizontally, in both the X and Y directions, with equally fine precision
potentiometer A voltage divider in which the voltage at the output is lower than the voltage at the input, in proportion with the impedances that make up the device
power meter Apparatus for measuring the amount of electrical power being consumed
power plant A site, building or large piece of capital equipment that is responsible for generating the power, usually by generating electricity, for use in other plants
power supply A power supply unit (PSU) that takes electrical power (usually AC) as its input and delivers regulated power (usually DC) at its output
press brake A machine used in cold-forming sheet or strip metal into desired sections
pressure calibrator A standard source for calibrating pressure measuring equipment
pressure gauge Apparatus for indicating the pressure (usually of a gas in a pipe or container)
pressure regulator A device for controlling the pressure of fluid inside a pipe or vessel, either continuously, or when it exceeds a set safety threshold
pressure sensor A sensor for monitoring the pressure (usually of a gas in a pipe or container)
pressure switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold pressure (for example of a gas in a pipe or container)
pressure transducer A device that converts the measurement of the pressure (for example of a gas in a pipe or container) into a corresponding electrical signal
pressure transmitter A system for transmitting (such as on a radio signal) information about the pressure of fluid in a pipe or container