What is a Pneumatic Cylinder?
In modern automated machines, pneumatic cylinders (or air cylinders) convert compressed air into the driving force to operate the fixed mechanisms. The actuators in the equipment drive and regulate the mechanism or machine, for example lifting a load or opening a valve, by driving and regulating the mechanism. As with hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders apply fluid power via a pump controlled by valves to convert power from a working fluid, followed by compressed air, into mechanical energy.
The working principle involves moving the piston in the cylinder barrel in the correct direction. The piston rod connected to the piston disc will then transmit power to activate either rotary or linear motions. The medium is the most obvious difference between the two activating systems.
Advantages
Using air and gas as the medium in the actuator system, pneumatic cylinders are advantageous for applications that require a clean environment, such as the food processing industry, where dripping fluids may contaminate materials, components, and equipment bodies.
In addition to being clean, pneumatic cylinders are also quiet and safe, which eliminates the need for critical storage of fluid and therefore takes up less space. Its ability to activate the mechanisms in the machines without contamination, and its simplicity of configuration and maintenance, make air cylinders an increasingly popular solution. Additionally, it is suitable for critical industrial manufacturing applications.
Construction
A stainless steel cylinder barrel, piston rod, piston rod, and pump are the essential components of the cylinder. A double-acting cylinder has two ports: an extended port and a retract port. It will be discussed later in more detail how pneumatic cylinders work, including the double-acting type.
On the basis of pressure differentials between the two working chambers, the piston (attached to the piston rod) advances backward and forwards. As a result, the piston will push the air back into the storage. It is the pump that supplies regulated fluid flow to the parts to drive the piston and rod of the cylinder. In these actuators, electric pumps, hand pumps, and hydraulic air pumps are commonly used. The following are the individual components:
Barrel
The cylinder body is made of steel with one end called the cylinder head, from which the rod extends, and one end called the cap. Most cylinder barrels are made from honed tubes, including CDS tubes and DOM tubes. There is typically a smooth inner surface on these pneumatic cylinder barrels, as well as a tight tolerance.
Also, read Know Your Pneumatics: Single or Double Acting?Select Wisely
Piston
Inside the enclosed design, the cylinder piston separates the pressure chambers. There are two chambers: the bottom chamber and the rod side chamber. In most cases, pistons within barrels are produced with grooves to accommodate seals and bearings. Air pressure differences between the chambers can cause the ports to extend or retract, depending on the pressure difference.
Piston Rod
Another essential component is the piston rod, which connects the cylinder system to the moving parts. The piston rod is accurately manufacture so that it can use as a durable and reliable seal to prevent leaks from entering the system. It extends out from the rod end side of the cylinder piston and is generally connect with the cylinder piston. In a double-acting type air cylinder, the rod extends outward from two sides, which are the two sides of the piston.
Types
Double-acting pneumatic cylinders and single-acting pneumatic cylinders are the two basic types of pneumatic cylinders. Single-acting cylinders use only one port to force working air into the cylinder, thereby moving the piston. For single-acting cylinders, internal springs or gravity are used to return the component to its original position. It is only suitable for applications requiring a single working direction, such as lifting up or pressing down.
There are two ports at each end of double-acting types, referred to as the extend port and retract port. In stroke and outstroke, the two ports that allow gas to enter can guide the piston’s position after high pressure is fed into the system from the pump. Double-acting pneumatic cylinders consume more power to operate but are more popular nowadays because they can move loads in two directions instead of one.
Airmax Pneumatics Ltd is a Pneumatic Air Cylinder Manufacturer in India. They have various types of air cylinders which are available in low to high bore & stroke sizes.
