A Guide to Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators

What are Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators

Also sometimes referred to as pneumatic actuators or air cylinders, pneumatic cylinders use compressed air to create rotary or linear motion. They are usually utilized in industrial machines and automated systems to move loads. Pneumatic cylinders use compressed air to move an internal piston as opposed to hydraulic cylinders that use fluid to perform the same action. By doing this, they can generate power in difficult environments including extreme temperatures. While pneumatic cylinders tend to generate less force than electric and hydraulic systems, they are lightweight, cost-effective and require minimal maintenance.

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Single Acting Cylinders vs Double Acting Cylinders

Pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders are either single acting or double acting. Which type of cylinder you opt for usually depends on how much control you require and how much you are willing to spend. If you require movement in two directions, it is better to select a double acting cylinder rather than its single acting counterpart. 

Single Acting Cylinders

Single acting pneumatic cylinders feature one air port that lets in compressed air, which then moves the internal piston. Once the piston is in the desired position and the air pressure is removed, a built-in spring returns it to its original position. In the case of single acting hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic fluid is used to push the piston to one side and a spring (or the weight of a load or gravity) to push it back to its original position.  

Double Acting Cylinders

With two air ports at both ends, double acting pneumatic cylinders let in compressed air to move an internal piston back and forth. Meanwhile, double acting hydraulic cylinders use pressurized fluid to move the piston in the same motion. They usually feature a control system composed of a 2, 3 or 4-way valve to reach the desired movement. 

Different Types of Cylinders

Here are some of the most popular types of cylinders available on the market today.

Linear Actuators 

The most basic and common cylinder type, linear actuators create a linear motion. The mechanical devices use either air, liquid or electricity as a source of energy. In small spaces, opt for a compact air cylinder. Relatively small and lightweight, compact air cylinders deliver shorter strokes than their standard counterparts.

Pneumatic Rotary Actuators

Pneumatic rotary actuators are utilized for turning or angular — rather than linear — movements. Powered by compressed air, pneumatic rotary actuators are highly durable and often used for positioning, clamping and transferring loads.

There are certain things that should be considered when selecting a pneumatic rotary actuator. These include:

• The angle of rotation (rack and pinion actuators offer a greater range of rotation than vane rotary actuators).
• Torque range (rack and pinion actuators offer a greater range of torque than vane rotary actuators).
• Size (vane rotary actuators are more compact than rack and pinion actuators).

Pneumatic Roundline Cylinders

Perfect for light and low-force applications, pneumatic roundline cylinders use compressed air to create movement. They can be either single or double acting and come with either fixed or adjustable cushions.

Stainless Steel Cylinders

Perfect for extreme weather conditions, stainless steel cylinders are sturdy and corrosion-resistant. This can help to reduce the risk of contamination in applications that require clean conditions. 

Guided Pneumatic Cylinders

Powered by compressed air, guided pneumatic cylinders — or pneumatic cylinder guides — are a great option for moving heavy objects. They feature ball bearing guides that keep them stable by absorbing force when moving large loads sideways in factory settings. Guided pneumatic cylinders also sometimes come with cushioning plates that both reduce operational noise and extend the device’s lifespan.

Pneumatic Cylinder Brackets, Mounting Styles and Accessories 

There are three commonly used pneumatic cylinder mounting styles. All required different accessories. These three styles include a fixed centreline mount, fixed offset mount and fixed pivot mount.

Fixed Centreline Mount

This type of mounting style is used when a load is moved in a linear motion to distribute pressure along mounting bolts. This minimises the risk of misalignment and reduces pressure on the piston and rod bearings. The most popular centreline mounting styles include the centreline lug mount, the flange mount and the tie rod mount. 

• Centreline Lug Mount: Four tabs near the cylinder’s head and cap are secured to the mounting surface with bolts. 
• Flange Mount: Depending on whether the load is pushed or pulled, the flanges are mounted at the head end (pulling application) or cap end (pushing application) of the cylinder. Cylinders often come with flanges on both ends for secure mounting. 
• Tie Rod Mount: A total of four tie rods on both the head and cap of the cylinder are secured to a mounting surface.

Fixed Offset Mount

Fixed offset mount style absorbs force along the centreline of the rod cylinder. They are offset from the line of force and can be utilized for pushing and pulling loads. The most popular fixed offset mounting styles include the side mount and the foot mount.

• Side Mount: Side-mounted cylinders absorb pressure away from the cylinder’s centreline. The cylinder is secured with four mounting brackets along its sides (two at the head and two at the cap).
• Foot Mount: Foot-mounted cylinders come with four brackets, two at the front and two at the back. These are generally not the best option for cylinders with a large bore and a short stroke.

Fixed Pivot Mount

Fixed pivot mounted cylinders absorb pressure along their centreline and rotate during use. They are usually used where the loads are moved along a non-linear path and are ideal for absorbing slight stress and misalignment. The most popular fixed pivot mounting styles include the clevis and trunnion.

• Clevis Mount: Clevis brackets are bolted to the cap end of the cylinder. Clevis attachments can be mounted to male or female type couplings. A spherical bearing can be utilized if there is a potential for slight misalignment to alleviate pressure on the cylinder.
• Trunnion Mount: Secured to a mounting surface, trunnion brackets provide a rotation point for pins. They are attached at either side of a cylinder and function as a guide to ensure smooth rotation of the trunnion pin. 

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Visit our pages on Pneumatic & Vacuum Gauges, Filter Regulator Lubricators and Pneumatic Cylinders & Actuators for more information.