Pneumatic Actuator Basics

There are thousands of industrial applications that require linear motion during the sequence of operation. One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to accomplish this is a pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator works very cleanly because the working fluid is a gas, preventing leaks from dripping and contaminating the environment. This section describes the basic configuration and functions of a pneumatic actuator, its relationship to a fluid power system, and instructions for selecting a pneumatic actuator or air cylinder. Basic style Pneumatic actuators convert compressed air into linear motion. There are several types of pneumatic actuators, such as the diaphragm cylinder, the rodless cylinder, the telescopic cylinder, and the thru-cylinder. The most widely used pneumatic actuator consists of a piston and a rod that move inside a closed cylinder. However, a variety of construction techniques and materials exist to suit a wide range of applications and user prefe