Within the industry, pneumatic actuators are recognised by several different names including pneumatic cylinders, air cylinders, and air actuators; all of which are one and the same. Consisting of a piston, cylinder, and valves or ports, a pneumatic actuator can convert energy into linear or rotary mechanical motions.
This is dependent on whether the application is using a pneumatic rotary actuator or a linear actuator. Linear actuators are well suited for fitting to angle seat control valves built for high temperature and steam applications, whereas the pneumatic rotary actuators are better suited for fitting to quarter-turn valves depending on the specification of the application. Pneumatic actuators are reliant on the presence of some form of pressurised gas or compressed air entering a chamber where pressure is built up.
Once this exceeds the required pressure levels in contrast to the atmospheric pressure outside of the chamber, it creates a controlled kinetic movement of a piston or gear which can be directed in either a straight or circular mechanical motion.
Pneumatic actuators are well suited to a wide variety of application types, serving across many different industry areas. Some of the most common applications include :. Most of the benefits of choosing pneumatic actuators over alternative actuators, such as electric ones, boil down to the reliability of the devices, as well as the safety aspects.
The fact that they do not require ignition or electricity makes these devices highly sought after where parking and combustion are not tolerated. This actuator style can be sub-divided into two types based on the operating principle: single acting and double acting.
Single-acting cylinders use one air port to allow compressed air to enter the cylinder. This then moves the piston to the desired position. Double-acting cylinders have an air port at each end and move the piston forward and back by alternating the port that receives pressurized air. This increases the overall air consumption but simplifies maintenance by removing extra components. In a typical application, the actuator body is connected to a support frame and the end of the rod is connected to the machine element that is to be moved.
An on-off control valve is used to direct compressed air into the extended port while opening the retract port to atmosphere. The ability to generate mechanical movement by using energy converted from compressed air has enabled engineers to use pneumatic actuators for a whole host of fantastic applications.
Here are some of the most common types:. We have heavy-duty devices available as well as compact and also stock stainless steel pneumatic actuators that are highly resistant to corrosion. Visit our Pneumatic Actuators page for more detailed information about our device offering and also to purchase online through our online shop. Alternatively, if you need further support with your device or wish to carry out a direct purchase you can contact us by email on [email protected] or by calling us on Each of these terms is synonymous with the other, as they all identify the device as air pressure based.
Another name for an air cylinder is pneumatic ram, in which the ram is referring to the linear piston. Pneumatic actuators rely on some form of pressurized gas — most often compressed air — entering a chamber, where the gas builds up pressure.
When it has built up enough pressure in contrast to the outside atmospheric pressure, it results in the controlled kinetic movement of a device such as a piston or gear. This resulting movement can be directed in either a straight line or circular motion.
Since the conversion of compressed gas into energy can be highly controlled and is reliable and repeatable, pneumatic actuators are one of the most popular mechanical devices used in a wide array of modern industries. There are two primary varieties of pneumatic linear actuators — single-acting and double-acting. They both work to push forward a piston, but the main differences are the return method and number of ports.
Single-acting cylinders have one port that allows air to flow into the cylinder. The pressure increases and pushes the piston forward or backward, depending on whether it is a push or pull type.
0コメント