Air Cylinders Industry Information
About Air Cylinders and Air Cylinder Manufacturers
Including: Brass Cylinders, Cable Cylinders, Compact Cylinders, Compressed Air Cylinders, Double Acting Cylinders, Miniature Air Cylinders, Pneumatic Cylinders, Rodless Cylinders, Rotary Cylinders, Single Acting Cylinders, Small Air Cylinders & Stainless Steel Cylinders.
Air
cylinders are the final component in a pneumatic or compressed air
control or power system. They are used in the food processing and
packaging, metal working, automotive, mining, textile, and forest
industries. Also referred to as compressed air cylinders or pneumatic cylinders,
air cylinders are devices that convert compressed air power into
mechanical energy. This mechanical energy produces linear or rotary
motion. In this way, the air cylinder functions as the actuator in the
pneumatic system, so it is also known as a pneumatic linear actuator.
The air cylinder consists of a steel or stainless steel piston, a
piston rod, a cylinder barrel and end covers. As compressed air moves
into a cylinder, it pushes the piston along the length of the cylinder.
Compressed air or a spring, located at the rod end of the cylinder,
pushes the piston back. Valves control the flow of compressed air to
the cylinder. There are two basic types of air cylinders-double acting cylinders, which are able to perform an operating motion in two directions and single acting cylinders, which are able to perform in one. Other types include rotary cylinders, cable cylinders and rodless cylinders. They are housed in different styles and named accordingly. These include stainless steel cylinders, brass cylinders, compact cylinders, miniature air cylinders and small air cylinders.
Air cylinder manufacturers produce two basic types of air cylinders:
single acting and double acting. The single acting cylinder is able to
perform an operating motion in only one direction. It has air pressure
on one side of a piston flange, supplying force and motion, and a
spring supplying the return force after pressure release. Single acting
cylinders require approximately half the amount of air used by a double
acting cylinder for a single operating cycle. A double acting pneumatic
cylinder has powered motion in two directions, with pressure on both
sides. When a cylinder is pushed out in one direction, compressed air
moves it back in the other direction. Air lines running into both ends
of the cylinder supply the compressed air. The flow of compressed air
is controlled with valves for both single and double acting cylinders.
Cable cylinders have elongated housing, 2 rollers and a cable that
extends from one end to the other. Rotary cylinders differ from typical
air cylinders because they provide the ability to move machine tooling
in a revolving motion, instead of linear. Rodless cylinders are made of
long, aluminum barrels formed with a vertical slot which allows the
piston to connect to the mounting carriage. They are actuators that use
a mechanical or magnetic coupling to convey force, usually to a body
that moves along the length of the cylinder, but doesn't extend beyond
it. Cable cylinders are rodless, but don't use the same type of sealing
method and have a cable attaching either sides of the piston instead of
a rod.
Every pneumatic air cylinder has specific components, although
different versions vary somewhat. A typical cylinder consists of a rod,
which is a linear actuator kept inside the cylinder, a port, which is a
hole in the cylinder that the compressed air (media) is conveyed to
attain linear movement, piston seals, anodized heads, wrench flats and
mounting cylinders for installation. Housings for air cylinders come in
a wide variety. Those made out of brass and stainless steel are
suitable for harsh environments, where they will be thoroughly and
hygienically cleaned, or exposed to corrosive forces. Miniature and
small air cylinders are single-acting and disposable. Their springs are
housed inside enlarged piston rods and they operate in reverse motion.
Compact cylinders' overall dimensions are much smaller than other
cushioned cylinders. Therefore, they are used where space is very
limited.
Manufacturers of air cylinders produce many different cylinder designs
for a variety of applications in different industries. Choosing an air
cylinder for a pneumatic system can be a difficult task. Air cylinder
manufacturers can customize units with a special stroke, a custom
mounting style or unusual seal material. Although custom air cylinders
have the advantage of exactly suiting the application, it is
recommended to look for an off-the-shelf solution first, as standard
air cylinders cost less and are available for quick delivery. With
sizing cylinders, focus on the load, velocity and air pressure. The
cylinder should be sized to move the greatest load at the lowest
acceptable velocity with the minimum available pressure. Determine the
stroke length, the spring force (for a single-acting cylinder) and the
overall dimensions of the cylinder. The mounting style-the options for
which include nose, block, universal, pivot and trunnion-is determined
by the size, force and function of the cylinder. Optional components
that help to improve cylinder performance or prevent problems include
cushions, bumpers, stop tubes, dual pistons, flow controls,
position-sensing switches and position feedback sensors. Environmental
factors have a huge impact on cylinder operation, so choose seals,
beatings, lubricants, materials and finishes that will help counteract
any negative effects.