Pneumatic Cylinders
Pneumatic cylinders
Pneumatic cylinders are devices that use compressed air to generate linear motion. They are commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications due to their simplicity, reliability, and ease of control. Their versatility, reliability, and ease of integration make them a popular choice for achieving controlled and repeatable linear motion in various mechanical systems.
Common uses of pneumatic cylinders
- Industrial Automation: Pneumatic cylinders are extensively used in industrial automation for tasks such as material handling, packaging, assembly, and sorting. They can push, pull, lift, lower, and clamp objects in manufacturing processes.
- Machine Tools: Pneumatic cylinders are integrated into machine tools for operations like workpiece clamping, tool changing, and controlling the movement of cutting tools. They help in achieving precise positioning and rapid tool changes.
- Automotive Industry: Pneumatic cylinders are used in car manufacturing for tasks like welding, painting, and assembling components. They provide controlled movement and force for consistent and efficient production processes.
- Automotive Industry: Pneumatic cylinders are used in car manufacturing for tasks like welding, painting, and assembling components. They provide controlled movement and force for consistent and efficient production processes.
- Conveyor Systems: Pneumatic cylinders are utilized in conveyor systems to control the movement of products along assembly lines or distribution centers. They can stop, start, divert, and align items on the conveyor belts.
- Packaging Machinery: Pneumatic cylinders play a role in packaging equipment by assisting in the sealing, labeling, and stacking of packages. They ensure accurate and repeatable movements in these processes.
- Material Handling: Pneumatic cylinders are used to manipulate and position materials in warehouses, distribution centers, and factories. They can lift and move items to different locations, aiding in the logistics and storage of goods.
- Food and Beverage Processing: Pneumatic cylinders are used in food and beverage processing for tasks like sorting, filling, capping, and labeling containers. They maintain a clean and hygienic environment while handling products.
- Aerospace Industry: Pneumatic cylinders are found in aerospace applications for functions such as deploying landing gear, controlling flaps and rudders, and opening and closing cargo doors in aircraft.
- Medical Equipment: Pneumatic cylinders are used in medical equipment like hospital beds, surgical tables, and patient lifts. They enable smooth and controlled movement of various components, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
- Construction Equipment: Pneumatic cylinders are employed in construction equipment such as cranes, excavators, and concrete pumps. They assist in lifting heavy loads and performing various tasks on construction sites.
- Printing Industry: Pneumatic cylinders are essential components in printing machinery for tasks like paper feeding, ink distribution, and press plate movement. They contribute to achieving high-quality and consistent printing results.
- Textile Industry: Pneumatic cylinders are employed in textile machines for actions like yarn tensioning, fabric cutting, and needle movement in sewing machines. They ensure precise and controlled movements in textile processes.
Piston Rod Cylinders
Piston rod cylinders are used to provide straight-line, in/out linear movement for a variety of applications. Available as single acting (spring extend or spring return actuators) and double acting styles with single rod or double rod configurations, non-rotating, and precision non-rotating models.
Cylinder body styles include crimped, round, or tie rod. Single acting pneumatic cylinders develop thrust in one direction and have a spring return mechanism, which lowers air consumption compared with the equivalent size of double acting pnuematic cylinders. Using a double acting pnuematic cylinder, air pressure may be alternately applied to provide force in both directions.
Guided Cylinders
Guided cylinders utilize guide rods mounted parallel to the piston rod to provide stable, non-rotating, high side load performance. SMC offers dual rod, heavy duty and precision cylinder models. Like rodless cylinders, SMC guide rod cylinders reduce rod bending, piston bending and uneven seal wear. Low profile guided cylinder series are available for restrictive space limitations.
Pneumatic Grippers
A pneumatic gripper is used for general pick and place applications. The series include pneumatic rotary grippers, two, three and four finger parallel styles that are ideal for gripping and centering; a wide opening parallel model pneumatic gripper, designed to accommodate many different sized parts; a heavy duty style, suitable for a wide range of applications; an angular model with speed adjustment built in; a toggle to give reliable gripping support; a low-contamination style, equipped with a protective boot; and electric gripper models.
Pneumatic Rotary Actuator
Rotary Actuators come in two types: Rack and Pinion and Vane style. Rack and Pinion rotary actuators are designed to turn heavy loads and provide high torque output. Vane style rotary actuators are ideal for applications that require rotational motion less than one revolution. They can mount right at the equipment joint without taking up space with long stroke lengths, which would be required to do the same job with a linear cylinder. SMC's pneumatic rotary actuator units can achieve arc lengths of 90°, 180°, 190°, or even 270°, depending on the configuration.
Rodless Pneumatic Cylinders
Pneumatic Clamping Cylinders
Specialty Cylinders
Hydraulic Equipment
