There is no doubt that when designing a complex piece of specialized equipment pneumatic rod cylinders have a lot of advantages. For one, there is no better way to pack a big punch in a small package when you need it. However, it&#;s not like one size fits all. You need to find the right fit for your application, so these are a few key questions to ask when applying pneumatic rod cylinders to your mechanical design.
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1. What is the stroke length of the required cylinder?
A standard pneumatic actuating cylinder does take up space. The first thing to ask yourself is what stroke length is needed to push or pull the load. You can multiply the stroke length by 2 to give you a general idea of the space that you will need to fit the cylinder.
2. What is the required force of the cylinder to determine bore size?
Now, you will need to determine the bore size of the cylinder to verify the amount of extend and retract force it produces and whether or not it is sufficient for your application.
Once you know the maximum pressure you can operate under, the bore size can be calculated by multiplying it by the area of the piston at any given bore. This can be found with your basic circular geometry, where the area is the square of the bore divided by four times 3.14 for the extend force and square of the bore minus the square of the rod diameter divided by four times 3.14 for the retract force. Multiplying that by the pounds per square inch available gives you the maximum force.
Note: Most pneumatic rod cylinder manufacturers have sizing tables for quick reference showing the expected forces at given PSIs for various bore sizes.
3. Guiding or non-guiding of the load
After determining the stroke and bore size of the pneumatic rod cylinder needed, you will need to determine if the cylinder can guide or support the load. If not, you will you need to add an external guiding mechanism.
You can quickly see in the manufacturer's sizing criteria by comparing the stroke length to the load weight. If it is excessive for the cylinder bore size that you initially chose then take a look at the next largest bore size. If that doesn't work, then it's suggested to either look at what available guiding accessory options are available for the cylinder or to construct an externally guiding and load support arrangement for your application.
4. What mounting considerations are there?
With such a big punch, pneumatic cylinders need to be mounted properly. In order to make sure you have enough space, it is important to not forget the necessary brackets and hardware!
5. What is the orientation of the cylinder?
Since there is so much movement on a pneumatic cylinder, it is critical that the entire operation can take place without interference from any other parts. The orientation to the rest of the machine is critical. Also, consider safety should a machine operator be nearby the movement.
6. Is clean dry air available and at what pressure for the application?
Very often, cylinders are limited by the quality of the air available to actuate them. It has to be clean and dry and at a pressure that will deliver the force you need.
7. What are the environmental considerations?
Is there is a lot of dust, humidity, or excessive temperature involved with your application? Will you need to wash down your cylinder? If yes, then you will need to look at special coatings, seals, fasteners and perhaps even a stainless steel configuration. You'll also need to have access to your pneumatic cylinder in order to maintain it properly. A hallmark of good design is to take into account the entire life cycle of your equipment, and cylinders do require maintenance in order to keep running properly for many years &#; especially under harsh conditions.
These are the key questions you need to ask yourself in order to add a pneumatic cylinder to anything you are designing. These powerful actuators offer many advantages, but they do require a design that takes into account their needs. Taking care up front assures that you will have a well-functioning machine will provide you with years of proper use without worries.
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Pneumatic cylinders come in a range of sizes, loads, and speed capacities in addition to options on port locations and mountings. In addition, you must also consider the design of the pneumatic cylinder in the context of its working environment. With so many different types of cylinders, how do you know when to use which one or in what application?
In the following article, we&#;ve outlined only some of the considerations to keep in mind when you&#;re choosing pneumatic cylinders in addition to some information on when to use which type. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions that you have!
Single Acting or Double Acting Pneumatic Cylinder?
Pneumatic cylinders come in both single-acting and double-acting so it&#;s important that you choose the right option based on your needs. To help you get a better idea of which is best for you, we&#;ve listed some pros and cons of each below.
Single-Acting Pneumatic Cylinders
Pros:
- Simplistic design.
- Compact in size.
- When compared with a double-acting cylinder of the same size, single-acting cylinders consume half of the air.
Cons:
- If equipped, the return spring side of this cylinder type is vented to the atmosphere. This could cause foreign matter to impact its functionality and overall reduce the lifespan of the cylinder.
- Restrictions of the bore size and stroke result from limitations of the spring&#;s force and size.
- Operating springs with extended cylinder life may become inconsistent and result in uncertain end-of-stroke positions.
- The opposing spring force could result in a minor reduction of thrust.
Double-Acting Pneumatic Cylinders
Pros:
- ISO standards are usually based on double-acting cylinders&#; design.
- There are many different variations available on the double-acting cylinder design.
- There are more bore and stroke size options due to the more expansive range of double-acting cylinders compared with single-acting cylinders.
Cons:
- Can&#;t be simply held in a mid-position.
- If a pneumatic cylinder is being used as a feed cylinder, it must be coupled to a hydraulic slave cylinder to provide a constant feed.
- Adequate guiding of the piston rod is necessary for long-stroke cylinders.
Other Considerations When Choosing a Pneumatic Cylinder
As you can see, there are many factors in play. Here are some other things to keep in mind when choosing single-acting vs. double-acting cylinders.
How Much Pneumatic Cylinder Workload Is Expected?
The intended load for the cylinders will heavily impact the cylinder type and the size of the piston. This means that it&#;s essential for the cylinder to be large enough to create enough force to carry the load while simultaneously compensating for losses and friction. Keep in mind that oversized cylinders could result in higher energy costs.
What Pneumatic Cylinder Speed Is Required?
Pneumatic cylinders carry loads at different speeds which depend on the load itself in addition to how much pressure is available from the compressor, the bore size, the distance that needs to be covered, and the size of the piston rod. It needs to strike the right balance as higher travel speeds mean there&#;s a greater pressure loss which seemingly calls for increased pressure.
However, cylinders that are over-pressurized may experience damage and use more energy. The combination of long-stroke lengths and heavy loads don&#;t often mix well unless the cylinders are large enough to support this. Keep in mind that the load&#;s mounting position can help in these cases.
What Are the Worksite Conditions?
If you&#;re working in a tight space, it&#;s ideal to use a compact cylinder as they are smaller and will fit into smaller spaces. On the flip side, compact cylinders also usually have shorter stroke lengths due to their overall design being incapable of facilitating a load over a long distance. If you know that the pneumatic cylinder will be working in extreme conditions such as high or low temperatures or if it will come into contact with corrosive media, make sure to carefully choose the manufacturing material.
Choosing the right material for your working environment is essential. Generally, cylinders are made in brass, steel, aluminum, engineered plastic, or a combination of materials. You should also make sure that the sealing materials used are ideal for the working environment to keep internal workings safe.
Conclusion
Both single-acting and double-acting pneumatic cylinders have their ideal use cases and applications. We hope that you&#;ll turn to our experienced team at Cylinders, Inc. for additional information on this topic as we&#;re happy to guide you in the right direction. If you&#;re in need of assistance or you&#;d like to take advantage of our cylinder repairs quotes, please contact us today!
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