Abstract The method serves for the pneumatic operation of an apparatus in which at least one component (33) is pneumatically actuated. The actuation takes place with primary compressed air, which is fed to the pneumatic component (33) from a primary compressed air supply (31). In addition to the primary compressed air supply (31), use is made of at least one secondary compressed air supply (37), which is provided with a lower pressure level than the primary compressed air supply (31). After carrying out a work operation of one pneumatic component (33) with a compressed air supply from the primary compressed air supply (31), during a transitional phase a venting is carried out into the secondary compressed air supply (37). Following the transitional phase, a venting of the first pneumatic component (33) is carried out with respect to an ambient pressure. A second pneumatic work operation is fed from the secondary compressed air supply (37). <IMAGE>