What are the different types of pneumatic cylinders?

Basically, of course, we know a single-acting cylinder and a double-acting cylinder, but within these types there are many different types of pneumatic cylinders. In this blog, we will take a closer look at all the different single-acting cylinders and all the double-acting pneumatic cylinders that we know within pneumatics. 

What is a single-acting cylinder again?

Single-acting cylinders are used to clamp, eject or lift parts. With a single-acting cylinder, we also distinguish between a pressure or pull cylinder. A pressure cylinder provides an outgoing stroke and with a pull cylinder the compressed air provides an incoming stroke. Also, a single-acting cylinder has an internal compression spring and only one compressed air connection.

What is a double-acting cylinder?

A double-acting cylinder has not 1 but 2 compressed air connections. This ensures both an incoming and outgoing stroke. That is why a double-acting cylinder does not have an internal compression spring. Double-acting cylinders are well suited for applications where precise control of movement and force is required. 

Square cylinders - ISO 15552 cylinders

These are the standard cylinders. The ISO 15552 cylinders must meet established standards for their design and functionality. They use compressed air to produce linear motion. The parallel-sided polygons (which remain strictly the same with every manufacturer) make them easily interchangeable.

Square cylinders are widely used here

• Square cylinders are widely used in sectors such as agriculture, food, and packaging. In the automotive sector too, only there the piston diameter is often larger.

Round Air Cylinders

Round air cylinders have a small piston diameter. As a result, they are often used in places where space is limited. 

The piston diameter is 8 to 25 mm and falls under the ISO standard 6432. Larger diameters are also possible from  32 to 63 mm. However, these do not meet the ISO 6432 standard, and deviate from the standard in this respect, but are sometimes necessary due to installation dimensions and required forces.

Round cylinders are widely used here

• Round air cylinders are very suitable for automation systems. Such as in the textile sector. This sector is characterised by a high number of cycles

Compact cylinders

The name says it all: a compact air cylinder has a compact shape. Therefore, they are ideal in rooms where there is little clearance and are often mounted without specific fasteners. Compact cylinders comply with the ISO 21287 standard.

Piston rodless air cylinders

These are cylinders without a piston rod and belong to the group of pneumatic air cylinders. This cylinder moves the load along the piston. This has the advantage that no kink can occur in the rod under high loads, longer strokes and the same stroke length can be achieved in less space. Piston rodless cylinders are used for a wide variety of pneumatic applications such as, loading, lifting, cutting, etc.

Stopper cylinders

Stop cylinders are cylinders that are used to stop movements. This can be done with or without damping. They are primarily designed to stop or block moving parts. For example, a stopper cylinder with damping can hold loads of up to about 800 kg on conveyor systems.

Stopper cylinders are widely used here

• In medical equipment manufacturing, stop cylinders are used to control the movements of X-ray machines, surgical robotic arms to ensure high-precision operation of medical equipment.

Guided cylinders

Guided cylinders are equipped with guide elements to control and guide the movement of the piston. This also ensures that the piston rod does not bend or twist during movement. These cylinders are often used for the clamping, stop or lift function and there are different versions, such as a compact variant.

Here, guided cylinders are widely used

• Guided cylinders are ideal for use in automation systems and production lines.

Rotary cylinders

Rotary cylinders allow you to convert a rectilinear movement into a rotary movement. This application is very suitable for a sorting and pick and place application. There are different diameters and angular rotations. For example, a mini turning radius can rotate between 90° and 180°. 

Clamping cylinders

As the name suggests, clamping cylinders are used to clamp or hold workpieces. This can be done directly via a clamping mechanism, or via kinematic mechanisms. Clamping cylinders can achieve very high holding forces. There are twist clamp cylinders and clamp cylinders. Twist clamp cylinders can make both a linear and rotating movement to position and clamp elements. Clamping cylinders are often used to clamp units safely.

Clamping cylinders are widely used here

• Usually, clamping cylinders are combined with different types of devices or mechanisms. And can be mounted on robot arms or sliding rails, among other things. 

CNOMO cylinders

CNOMO is an outdated standard for cylinders and is seen as one of the predecessors of the ISO 15552 cylinders. So, they also use compressed air to produce linear motion. Please note that the standards are not interchangeable. 

Pneumatic gripper

A pneumatic gripper is a specific kind of pneumatic cylinder that is made to grip objects in the manufacturing process. The gripper can be part of a larger system with robots and rails, where objects can change location during production.

Pneumatic grippers are widely used here

• Pneumatic grippers are often used in automation, mechanical engineering and packaging industry to position and move objects.

Special cylinders - custom-made

In addition to a wide range of standard cylinders, we can also supply special custom-made cylinders. In special applications, it can happen that a standard cylinder does not fit.

• For this we can produce the desired cylinder entirely according to the specifications and needs of the customer, such as a different stroke length or diameter. 

Find all your different air cylinders at Pneuparts

Pneuparts offers a wide range of pneumatic air cylinders. These cylinders are essential components in pneumatic systems. They are available in various types, such as single-acting, double-acting, rotating and gripping. Pneuparts has the right cylinders for every application, with different sizes and specifications. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our staff is ready to help you make the right choice.