What are Pneumatic Cylinders?

Posted by James Brown on February 13th, 2020

A Pneumatic cylinder is a device used to produce force (linear motion) from the compressed gas. They are also known as “Air cylinders”. Pneumatic is a Greek word which means “air”. Air can be easily taken and compressed to fill pneumatic systems and not dangerous like gas.

Purpose and Type of Pneumatic Air Cylinders

The shape, size and type of cylinder depend on the kind of work they will be used. The different materials used in pneumatic air cylinders are stainless steel, nickel-plated brass and aluminium. These materials are chosen for the device on varied factors like the amount of load, specific stroke length, temperature and humidity. These cylinders also come in a variety of body types, such as

• Flanged Type Cylinder

The ends of these cylinders have flanges.

• Tie Rod Cylinders

This is the most common type of cylinder structure used. It is capable of being used in a variety of loads and these are the safest to work with

• Threaded-end Cylinders

In this, ends are attached to the tube body.

• One-piece Welded Cylinders

The ends of these cylinders are welded.

Types of pneumatic cylinders

• Single-acting

This type of cylinders is quite short in shape and size than other kinds. They create a linear driving force from the pressure imparted by the compressed air by the piston, which then brings back to its original position. This type of cylinder is suitable for customers who need little application since it has limited extension due to the small space from compressed air.

• Double Acting

It has more expansion abilities and a customer can prefer it over single-acting cylinders. It has two ports which perform both extend and retract strokes. This type of cylinder should be there in your hardware shop.

• Telescoping Cylinder

These come in both single and double-acting modes. Their design allows for much longer strokes and tends to be reserved for uses where the piston has to face minimal side loading.

Guidelines for Choosing Pneumatic Cylinders

Follow the below guidelines before going to Air cylinder manufacturers

• Cylinder Arrangement

There are two types of rod cylinders- single acting and double acting. Single-acting cylinders supply energy to only one side of the piston, thus creating force in only one direction. A double-acting cylinder can both extend and retract the strokes.

• Cylinder Types

Two types of cylinders are compact and guided. The compact is used for light-duty applications. Guided are used in heavily used applications.

• Cylinder Speed

Stroking speed of the cylinder is important. Things like port sizes, inlet and exhaust force and hose or tube size affect speed.

• Cylinder Air Consumption

Air consumption in pneumatic cylinders dependent on two factors- Volume of air theta pistol displaces and contaminated air volume that passes through ports, tubing etc.

Most Air cylinder manufacturers have all type of cylinders with them.

James Brown is the author of this article. For further detail about Pneumatic Air Cylinders. Please visit the website: airmite.com