Mechanical parts that produce linear motion from compressed air
An air cylinder (or pneumatic cylinder) is a mechanical device that uses compressed air to create linear (back and forth) motion and force. It is widely used in factory automation, packaging, and robotics to push, pull, lift, or clamp objects cleanly and quickly.
Like in a hydraulic cylinder, something forces a piston to move in the desired direction. The piston is a disc or cylinder, and the piston rod transfers the force it develops to the object to be moved.[1] : 85 Engineers sometimes prefer to use pneumatics because they are quieter, cleaner, and do not require large amounts of space for fluid storage.
Because the operating fluid is a gas, leakage from a pneumatic cylinder will not drip out and contaminate the surroundings, making pneumatics more desirable where cleanliness is a requirement.
Main Types of Air Cylinders
- Single-Acting: Uses air pressure to move the piston in one direction only; an internal spring or external force pushes it back.
- Double-Acting: Uses air pressure to power the piston in both directions (extend and retract).
- Compact / ISO Standard: Designed to fit in tight spaces or match global mounting standards.
- Tandem air cylinder connects two or more pneumatic pistons in a line on a shared rod
- Rotary clamping pneumatic cylinders use compressed air to produce motion that works to clamp and secure an item
Typically built with small bore sizes ranging from 6mm to 16mm
Profile cylinders and tie-rod cylinders are standard linear pneumatic actuators .
A short, space-saving pneumatic actuator
Fixed and precision positions type in motions actuations
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