B2B Electronics

The air cylinder, which is also referred to as a pneumatic cylinder is a device that works mechanically to produce force combined with movement that is powered by high pressure compressed air. The scientific function at work within these cylinders can be described as force being imparted by the conversion of potential energy of compressed air into kinetic energy, or the energy of movement.

The mechanic energy produced by the pneumatic cylinders is achieved because the compressed gas is able to expand, without external energy input. The expansion, which is the main aiding factor in the creation of kinetic energy, occurs due to the pressure gradient established by the compressed gas being at a greater pressure than the atmospheric pressure. The air expansion is also what finally forces the piston of the cylinder to move in a certain direction.

These cylinders are devices that use air pressure to put air into linear motion, such as in an air compressor. A typical air cylinder has a rod and piston that operates the it. Types of cylinders include: Single acting (SAC); Double acting (DAC), and ‘other types’, including rodless linear air cylinders (actuators that use a mechanical or magnetic coupling to impart force). A rodless cylinder has no rod outside of the it but rather a piston connected to a carriage inside the cylinder. The different types of airless rod cylinders include cable cylinders, magnetically coupled air cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, and band cylinders.

Based on the design of the cylinder system, pneumatic cylinders can be used for a multitude of operations. Examples include having the ability to perform multiple strokes without the need for intermediate intervention, to perform a full stroke with intermediate stopping points, to be adjusted so as to control the amount of extension and/or retraction of the piston rod once actuated.

As air cylinders are used for such a variety of functions, the market place is very competitive. Bimba Manufacturing specialise in bespoke solutions for companies and have years of practical experience. In addition to a broad line of standard catalogue products, nearly half of Bimba’s business consists of custom and semi-custom products designed for specific customers with unique applications. In 2007, Bimba took another step as leader of air cylinders when the company acquired Mead Fluid Dynamics Inc. to expand capabilities even further. Mead is a leader in the design and development of valves, cylinders, and pneumatic components for the industrial automation market.

Air cylinders are available in a variety of sizes and can typically range from a small 2.5 mm cylinder, which might be used for picking up a small transistor or other electronic component, to 400 mm diameter cylinders which would impart enough force to lift a car. Some pneumatic cylinders reach 1000 mm in diameter, and are used in place of hydraulic cylinders for special circumstances where leaking hydraulic oil could impose an extreme hazard.

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Have been affected by pneumatic today? What a silly question. Of course you have! You just didn’t know it. In fact, pneumatic have much more of an impact on your life than you might think. First, what are they?

The term “pneumatic is typically used to refer to a branch of technology used almost exclusively in the industrial sector to control machinery. While there are a number of ways to control various types of machinery, one of the most effective, efficient, and most popular methods is through pneumatic.

Pneumatic systems make use of canisters of compressed air or specialized gasses to then exert a force on a wide array of pistons and machine parts. These pistons and components then provide the necessary movement required by the machine to accomplish its given task.

While the possibilities are vast when it comes to operating any type of system, Pneumatic systems are one of the simplest methods – which in turn makes them one of the most prevalent as well.

Pneumatic systems are comprised of a few major parts. First, there’s the compressor. The compressor is a pump that compresses air, raises it to a higher pressure, and then delivers it into the actual pneumatic system. This process can also be used to generate a force that pulls (a vacuum) instead of a force that pushes.

Next, there is the check valve and the directional valve. A check valve is a one-way valve that is used to grant the pressurized air access to the pneumatic system while at the same time preventing backflow. The directional valve actively controls the direction of the airflow to its correct source.

You might ask, “What happens if too much air is permitted into the system?” For that there is the accumulator, which stores compressed air to prevent potentially dangerous surges in pressure while also ensuring efficient operation.

Finally, there’s the actuator. Pneumatic actuators convert the stored compressed air into actual mechanical motion. Typical pneumatic actuators are comprised of a piston, a cylinder, and a configuration of valves and ports. In pneumatic systems, the motion created by the actuator is usually rotary or linear.

Pneumatic make quite a few things possible. While you might not realize it, they actually have a profound impact on our every day lives. For example, pneumatic systems are frequently used in…

• Air brakes on busses and trucks
• Air compressors
• Pneumatic air guns
• Pneumatic mail systems
• Pneumatic motors
• Jackhammers
• Nail guns
• Pressure regulators
• Vacuum pumps
• And much more

So as you can see, from mass production and manufacturing to the jackhammers that fix your roads and the busses that drive on them – pneumatic have a pronounced impact in a number of ways.

Hank moon actively researches and writes about industrial technology and its history of innovation throughout history. Most recently he has written about industrial automation, air cylinders, and hydraulic systems.

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