1. Standard Grade Technological Studies
Pneumatic components:
Cylinders

2. Pneumatic cylinders Cylinders are the muscles of pneumatic systems.
Cylinders convert the energy stored in compressed air to linear motion.

3. Pneumatic cylinders There are two types of cylinder that we use.
Single-acting cylinders.
Double-acting cylinders.

4. Single-acting cylinders
A single-acting cylinder requires only one air supply.
Air pushes against the piston.
This causes it to outstroke.
A fully outstroked piston is said to be positive.

5. Single-acting cylinders
What happens if we stop the air supply to the single acting cylinder?
The internal spring pushes against the piston.
This causes it to instroke.
A fully instroked piston is said to be negative.

6. Double-acting cylinders
Double acting cylinders have no spring.
It requires two air supplies…
They can supply greater forces than a single-acting cylinder.

7. Double-acting cylinders
One of the air supplies pushes against the piston.
Air from the other side is forced out.
The cylinder will outstroke.
Again this is said to be positive...

8. Double-acting cylinders
The second air supply pushes against the other side of the piston.
Air from the first side is forced out.
The cylinder will instroke.
As with the single acting cylinder, this is said to be negative...

9. Actuators
There are a number of different ways to activate pneumatic valves.
The most common types are shown below.