The design of a pneumatic cylinder depends on several factors, including the application, operating pressure, and service environment. 

This article provides information about Types of Pneumatic Cylinders, which is designed to give users a basic understanding of their basic components and how they work. It also provides valuable information on creating types of pneumatic cylinders suitable for different applications or conditions.

It is important to remember that different types of the cylinder are designed for other applications. For example, a long stroke pneumatic cylinder does not need to be constructed of special materials, and a short stroke cylinder may need special pressure rating requirements.

The design of pneumatic cylinders is based on several factors such as the type of application, operating pressure, and service environment. However, the most important factor determining the design is whether it is intended to work in a liquid or gas medium. If it is intended to operate in a liquid medium, the cylinder should be designed to resist bursting during use. Otherwise, its high operating pressure may be ruptured by static conditions if it operates in a gas medium.

Different types of pneumatic cylinders are designed for other applications. They can be broadly classified as:

Rough cylinder: A rough cylinder is a type of pneumatic cylinder used to handle equipment that moves or rotates. Rough cylinders are called live roller or standard roller pneumatic cylinders. The same cylinder can be used for rotary and reciprocating motion, although sometimes different cylinders are required for the two types of activity.

Pneumatic cylinders for rotary motion are usually mounted on a base with an anti-friction roller between the frame and the pressure vessel. The cylinder has a groove on the pressure vessel for holding the roller. The cylinder is fastened to the frame by mounting bolts. The piston head can be either rigid, rotary, or semi-rotary.

Pneumatic cylinders for reciprocating motion are used in pairs and are bolted to a base plate fixed to the machine’s base. To minimize friction and wear, they come with ball bearings, needle roller bearings, or bushings at their ends.

Long stroke cylinders: A long stroke cylinder is intended for operating over large distances and under heavy loads. The piston rod or piston rod ends, or any other portion of the cylinder can be mounted on rollers. These rollers eliminate friction between the parts of the cylinder and the frame. This reduces wear and tear and makes operating over long distances easier. The most commonly used type of roller is a ball bearing.

Short stroke cylinders: A short stroke cylinder is designed to operate over shorter distances at higher speeds. The piston rod is usually supported by two or four radial bearings, a double conical needle roller bearing, or bushings. Since they are intended for high-speed operation, their pressure ratings may be low compared to long stroke cylinders, which operate at lower speeds for continuous operation.

Smooth cylinder: The smooth cylinder is most commonly used in high-temperature applications such as water heaters and air conditioning systems. Since these cylinders are exposed to very high temperatures, they are made from special materials with excellent insulating properties. For example, low-density polyethylene is used to insulate cylinders in hot water heaters or air conditioning systems.

The purpose of pneumatic cylinders is to distribute the pressure uniformly throughout the vessel or piping system. There are several types of pneumatic cylinders designed to perform different functions. Most pneumatic cylinders are available as either smooth or rough cylinders. The difference in the design of rough and smooth cylinders is due to the requirements of their operating environments.

Rough cylinders: A rough cylinder is a pneumatic type used to handle equipment that moves or rotates. Rough cylinders are called live roller or standard roller pneumatic cylinders. The same cylinder can be used for rotary and reciprocating motion, although sometimes different cylinders are required for the two types of activity.

Pneumatic cylinders for rotary motion are usually mounted on a base with an anti-friction roller between the frame and the pressure vessel. The cylinder has a groove on the pressure vessel for holding the roller. The cylinder is fastened to the frame by mounting bolts. The piston head can be either rigid, rotary, or semi-rotary.

Pneumatic cylinders for reciprocating motion are used in pairs and are bolted to a base plate fixed to the machine’s base. To minimize friction and wear, they come with ball bearings, needle roller bearings, or bushings at their ends.

Short stroke cylinders: A short stroke cylinder is designed to operate over shorter distances at higher speeds. The piston rod is usually supported by two or four radial bearings, a double conical needle roller bearing, or bushings. Since they are intended for high-speed operation, their pressure ratings may be low compared to long stroke cylinders, which operate at lower speeds for continuous operation.

Smooth cylinder: The smooth cylinder is most commonly used in high-temperature applications such as water heaters and air conditioning systems. Since these cylinders are exposed to very high temperatures, they are made from special materials with excellent insulating properties. For example, low-density polyethylene is used to insulate cylinders in hot water heaters or air conditioning systems.

The purpose of pneumatic cylinders is to distribute the pressure uniformly throughout the vessel or piping system. There are several types of pneumatic cylinders designed to perform different functions. Most pneumatic cylinders are available as either smooth or rough cylinders. The difference in the design of rough and smooth cylinders is due to the requirements of their operating environments.

Rough cylinders: A rough cylinder is a pneumatic type used to handle equipment that moves or rotates. Rough cylinders are called live roller or standard roller pneumatic cylinders. The same cylinder can be used for rotary and reciprocating motion, although sometimes different cylinders are required for the two types of activity.

Pneumatic cylinders for rotary motion are usually mounted on a base with an anti-friction roller between the frame and the pressure vessel. The cylinder has a groove on the pressure vessel for holding the roller. The cylinder is fastened to the frame by mounting bolts. The piston head can be either rigid, rotary, or semi-rotary.

Pneumatic cylinders for reciprocating motion are used in pairs and are bolted to a base plate fixed to the machine’s base. To minimize friction and wear, they come with ball bearings, needle roller bearings, or bushings at their ends.

Long stroke cylinders: A long stroke cylinder is intended for operating over large distances and under heavy loads. The piston rod or piston rod ends, or any other portion of the cylinder can be mounted on rollers. Most long-stroke cylinders are operated by pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric power. If a long stroke cylinder is operated by pneumatic control, it is called a live roller pneumatic cylinder.

Long stroke cylinders can be either single-acting or double-acting cylinders. A double-acting cylinder is used for converting the reciprocating motion into rotary motion. As such, the piston acts in two directions simultaneously, i.e., one side of the rod moves in the up direction while another moves in the down direction. Double-acting cylinders are used for reciprocating compressors and blowers in large gas turbines, among other things.

A single action cylinder is designed to operate only in one direction and can be of short or long stroke types.