1. Cylinders and Actuators
Single Acting
A single acting cylinder develops thrust in one direction only
The piston is usually returned by a spring, but can be returned
by some external means as well(ex. vertical load)

2. Cylinders and Actuators
Single Acting
A single acting cylinder develops thrust in one direction only
The piston is usually returned by a spring, but can be returned
by some external means as well(ex. vertical load)
Advantages
lower air consumption compared to double acting
3 way valve needed instead of 4 way (lower cost)

3. Cylinders and Actuators
Single Acting
A single acting cylinder develops thrust in one direction only
The piston is usually returned by a spring, but can be returned
by some external means as well(ex. vertical load)
Advantages
lower air consumption compared to double acting
3 way valve needed instead of 4 way (lower cost)
Disadvantages
Reduction in piston thrust
Longer length body due to size of spring

4. Single Acting Spring Return

5. Single Acting Spring Return
Rest state. No pressure applied.
Cylinder is retracted.

6. Single Acting Spring Return
Rest state. No pressure applied.
Cylinder is retracted.
Air pressure applied.
Cylinder extends. Spring
is compressed.

7. Single Acting Spring Return Rest state. No pressure applied.
Cylinder is retracted.
Air pressure applied.
Cylinder extends. Spring
is compressed.
Air pressure exhausted. Cylinder
retracts due to the force of the
spring and is returned to rest state.

8. Single Acting Spring Extend Rest state. No pressure applied.
Cylinder is extended.

9. Single Acting Spring Extend
Rest state.
No pressure applied.
Cylinder is extended.
Air pressure applied.
Cylinder retracts. Spring
is compressed.

10. Single Acting Spring Extend
Rest state.
No pressure applied.
Cylinder is extended.
Air pressure applied.
Cylinder retracts. Spring
is compressed.
Air pressure exhausted. Cylinder extends due to the force of the spring and is extended to rest state.

11. Double Acting Cylinders
Thrust is developed in both extending and retracting directions
as air pressure is applied to the appropriate ports.

12. Double Acting Cylinders
Thrust is developed in both extending and retracting directions
as air pressure is applied to the appropriate ports.
Advantages
More compact body when compared to single acting
Higher force with smaller bore size due to absence of spring

13. Double Acting Cylinders
Thrust is developed in both extending and retracting directions
as air pressure is applied to the appropriate ports.
Advantages
More compact body when compared to single acting
Higher force with smaller bore size due to absence of spring
Disadvantages
Force on retraction(piston rod side) is different than the
extension due to the reduced surface area where the
piston rod attaches to the piston

14. Double Acting
Cylinder is at rest when neither
port is energized.
A B

15. Double Acting Cylinder is at rest when neither port is energized. A B
When A is pressurized
the piston extends out
and B exhausts air.

16. Double Acting Cylinder is at rest when neither port is energized. A B
When A is pressurized
the piston extends out
and B exhausts air.
When B is pressurized, the piston
retracts and A exhausts air. The
cylinder is now back to its original
state.

17. Variations in Cylinders
Double Rod Type
Tandem Type 1 2 3

18. Variations in Cylinders
Double Rod Type

19. Variations in Cylinders
Double Rod Type
Tandem Type 1 2 3

20. Rodless Cylinders
Rodless cylinders can typically be installed in 1/2 the space of that of a standard cylinder. They are offered in much longer strokes and have higher side load capabilities.

21. Rodless Cylinders
Rodless cylinders can typically be installed in 1/2 the space of that of a standard cylinder. They are offered in much longer strokes and have higher side load capabilities.
Magnetically Coupled
The cylinder is coupled to the piston by magnetic force
requiring no physical attachment between the body
and the piston. Coupling permits smooth load transfer without allowing seal contamination.

22. Mechanically Coupled(Band Cylinder)
The cylinder is joined by a lip sealing mechanism suited for
very high loads while maintaining high accuracy. It
has much higher side load capabilities but is not as totally
leak free when compared to the magnetically coupled type.

23. Slide Units Commonly used in very precision type applications which
require compact and low profile dimensions. Precisely
machined work mounting surfaces and parallel piston
guide rods ensure accurate and straight line movement.

24. Slide Units Commonly used in very precision type applications which
require compact and low profile dimensions. Precisely
machined work mounting surfaces and parallel piston
guide rods ensure accurate and straight line movement.
Either the body can be fixed and the rods with end bars
can move or the end bars can be fixed and the body can
move

25. Air Chucks (Grippers)
Designed to grip components using 2, 3, or 4 fingers

26. Rotary Actuators Rack and Pinion Type
The output shaft has an integral pinion gear driven by a
a rack attached to a double piston. Standard angles of
rotation are 90° and 180°.

27. Vane Type
Air pressure acts on a vane which is attached to the
output shaft. The vane is sealed against leakage by
a lifted rubber seal or elastomer coating. Standard
angles of rotation are 90°, 180° or 270°.

28. Cushioning
In certain applications, it is necessary to specify air cushions
or shock absorbers due to high speeds and considerable
end of stroke forces.

29. Cushioning
In certain applications, it is necessary to specify air cushions
or shock absorbers due to high speeds and considerable
end of stroke forces.
Rubber Cushions
Often used on smaller size bore and stroke cylinders to absorb
shock and prevent internal damage.

30. Cushioning
In certain applications, it is necessary to specify air cushions
or shock absorbers due to high speeds and considerable
end of stroke forces.
Rubber Cushions
Often used on smaller size bore and stroke cylinders to absorb
shock and prevent internal damage.
Adjustable Air Cushions
Often used on larger size bore and stroke cylinders to decelerate
the piston over the last portion of the stroke. This cushion
traps some of the exhausting air near the end of the stroke
before allowing it to bleed off slowly through an adjustable
needle valve.

31. Special “Sine” Cylinder Cushion
Rapid load transfer while allowing smooth acceleration
and deceleration of load which dramatically reduces
shock/impact.

32. Special “Sine” Cylinder Cushion
Rapid load transfer while allowing smooth acceleration
and deceleration of load which dramatically reduces
shock/impact.
Shock Absorbers
Used for very high speed and heavy load applications
to consistently decelerate loads without requiring
additional adjustment. Can withstand impacts of
16 ft/second.

33. Cylinder Options Locking Cylinder
- Allows for +/- .5mm incremental stopping accuracy

34. Cylinder Options Locking Cylinder
- Allows for +/- .5mm incremental stopping accuracy
Non-Rotating
- Prevents piston rod and the load from rotating

35. Cylinder Options Locking Cylinder
- Allows for +/- .5mm incremental stopping accuracy
Non-Rotating
- Prevents piston rod and the load from rotating
Low Friction/Low Speed
- Special internal seals and lubricants allows speeds
of 2mm per second

36. Cylinder Options Locking Cylinder
- Allows for +/- .5mm incremental stopping accuracy
Non-Rotating
- Prevents piston rod and the load from rotating
Low Friction/Low Speed
- Special internal seals and lubricants allows speeds
of 2mm per second
High Speed
- Enlarged orifices are added to maximize speed

37. Copper Free
- all components can be electroless nickel plated for
copper free environments

38. Copper Free
- all components can be electroless nickel plated for
copper free environments
High Temperature
- up to 300°F applications

39. Copper Free
- all components can be electroless nickel plated for
copper free environments
High Temperature
- up to 300°F applications
Low Temperature
- down to -58 °F applications

40. Copper Free
- all components can be electroless nickel plated for
copper free environments
High Temperature
- up to 300°F applications
Low Temperature
- down to -58 °F applications
Heavy Duty Rod
- enlarged piston rod for heavy side load applications

41. Copper Free
- all components can be electroless nickel plated for
copper free environments
High Temperature
- up to 300°F applications
Low Temperature
- down to -58 °F applications
Heavy Duty Rod
- enlarged piston rod for heavy side load applications
Adjustable Stroke
- allows final extension or final retraction to be
adjusted

42. Auto Switch Mount
- allows stroke feedback/conformation to controller to
confirm work has been completed

43. Auto Switch Mount
- allows stroke feedback/conformation to controller to
confirm work has been completed
High Magnetic Field Capability
- special auto-switches and internal magnets allow
cylinder to be used in applications 2” away
from magnetic field displacing 20,000 Amps

44. Determining Which Cylinder Bore Size to Use
For a double acting cylinder:
Extending Stroke: Fe = (p / 4) * D² x P
Retraction Stroke: Fr = (p / 4) * (D²-d²) x P
For a single acting cylinder:
Extending Stroke: Fes = (p / 4) * D² x P - Fs
D = Piston Diameter F = Force
d = Piston Rod Diameter
Fs = Spring Force at the End of Stroke
P = Gauge Pressure