Versatility of Pneumatic Cylinders: A Guide for different types of pneumatic cylinders

Introduce

In the field of industrial automation, air cylinders serve as essential actuators that drive mechanical motion. Air cylinders play a crucial role in modern pneumatic systems.Ranging from miniature pneumatic cylinders as small as a fingertip to heavy-duty cylinders weighing hundreds of kilograms, various air cylinder types are widely used across a broad spectrum of industrial applications.

Due to air cylinders' simple structure, fast response, flexible control, and low cost, they have become an indispensable component in pneumatic applications.Each type of air cylinder offers unique performance advantages and can be customized to meet specific operational requirements, making them indispensable components in modern smart manufacturing systems. Whether for precision positioning, linear motion control, or high-force industrial tasks, air cylinder pneumatic provides reliable and efficient solutions tailored to diverse use cases.

In industries such as automotive manufacturing, industrial robotics, food processing, and packaging production lines, different types of air cylinders provide diverse solutions tailored to specific application requirements.Thanks to their high efficiency, fast response times, and compact design, air cylinders have become the ideal actuators for precise motion control and automated operations. They play a critical role in enhancing productivity and consistency across automated systems in a wide range of industrial environments.

Basic Classification Of Air Cylinders

Air cylinders can be classified into various types based on their structural features, operating principles, and application requirements. The most basic and common classification is based on the mode of operation—namely, single-acting cylinders and double-acting cylinders. In addition, there are specialized types with unique functions, such as rodless cylinders, rotary cylinders, and compact cylinders.

Other types of cylinders, such as standard air cylinders are among the most commonly used cylinder types, known for their versatility, high precision, and excellent cross-system compatibility. For applications requiring double output force and enhanced resistance to side loads, twin-rod guided air cylinders are an ideal choice. These air cylinders feature a dual-rod structure that improves stability and prevents piston rotation, making them perfect for demanding positioning tasks.

Standard Air Cylinder

Fokca offers three universal air cylinder standards types, including iso6431, Airtac, and SMC standard pneumatic cylinder：

ISO 6431 Pneumatic Cylinder

This Type of standard air cylinder mainly has several key characters different from other types include:

Compact & Lightweight

Standardized Interfaces

Basic Structure

Airtac Standard  Cylinder

As a globally renowned air cylidner type, its standard cylinder product line is rich, including both international standard models and independently designed characteristic series：

SC series

This series has a cylinder diameter range of 20-100mm, a more compact structure, a more competitive price, and installation dimensions that are partially compatible with ISO standards types

Suitable for cost sensitive general industrial applications and retrofitting of ordinary equipment.

SU series 

This series of cylinders belongs to the ultra compact design, with a width reduced by 25% compared to ISO standards types and a cylinder diameter range of 10-25mm

Suitable for precision equipment with limited space and special dust-proof design.

SMC Standard Cylinder

This kind of standard air cylinder is designed by SMC,with a wide range of standard cylinder product lines covering ISO standard, compact, high-performance, and other series, suitable for various fields of industrial automation,there are two smc standard series cylinders available:

MBB series cylinder 

CA1 CDA1 series cylinder

Mini Air Cylinder

Mini air cylinders are designed for applications with limited space but still requiring reliable pneumatic power sources. Despite its compact size, mini cylinders can provide powerful thrust comparable to their size, making them ideal for small automation, medical equipment, and precision engineering tasks.This types of cylinder are widely used in automation, robotics, and precision equipment to meet the requirements of different industries for miniaturization, precision, and efficiency.Fokca offers various types of miniature cylinders, including MA cylinders, MAL cylinders, and DSN cylinders.

MA cylinder: ultra compact cylindrical cylinder body, with a width reduced by 40% compared to standard cylinders, suitable for extremely narrow spaces, single piston rod, double acting design.

MAL cylinder: Built in linear guide rail, significantly improved lateral force resistance (able to withstand radial loads). Integrated piston rod and guide rod, with better motion stability than the MA series.

DSN cylinder: square cylinder body design for easy integration of sensors.

Dual Rod Guided Pneumatic Cylinder

Characteristics of this kind of dual rod guided air cylinder：

◆ Dual Rods design

◆ External oriented organization

◆ Strong carrying capacity

◆ Flexible installation and connection

There are four series of Dual Rod Guided Cylinders as follows:

MGP Series Dual Rod Cylinder

CXS series double rod cylinder

TN series double rod cylinder

STMB and STMS series sliding bearing cylinders

Rodless Cylinder

Magnetically coupled rodless cylinder, referred to as rodless cylinder or rodless actuator, the biggest difference between it and regular cylinder is that there is only a piston in the rodless cylinder and no piston rod, while the regular cylinder contains both a piston and a piston rod.

Fokca offers the following four types of rodless cylinders:

CY1B Series Basic Rodless Cylinder

Save space, lightweight and has a wide range of applications.Can be used in diversified environments because there is no external leakage.Long strokes available.

CY1R Series Direct Mount Rodless Cylinder

Save space, lightweight and has a wide range of applications.Long strokes available. 

CY1S Series Slider Rodless Cylinder

Reduced in weight and Reduced in length.    

CY1L Series Slider Type Rodless Cylinder

Hollow shafts are used, and centralization of ports on one side makes piping easy. Auto switches can be mounted through the use of special switch rails. Impacts at stroke end due to high speed use can be absorbed,  and fine adjustment of the stroke is possible.

The above four models can all use NPT thread and G thread as available as standard.

Pneumatic rotary cylinder

Pneumatic rotary cylinder, also known as pneumatic rotary actuator, uses compressed air to push the internal rack and pinion, thereby converting linear motion into rotational motion

Fokca offers the following series of pneumatic rotary cylinders:

MSQ Series Rotary Table

CRQ2 Series Compact Rack

CRA1 Series Rotary Table

Other Special Cylinders

When standard cylinders cannot meet specific application requirements, special cylinders are essential. Fokca (Fescolo) offers customized cylinders designed to meet unique requirements in terms of force, size, stroke length, or environmental conditions. These special cylinders provide the necessary flexibility for industries that require precise control, high performance, and professional solutions, ensuring operational efficiency and reliability.

Fokca offers two types of Stopper Cylinders named RSQ, and RSDQ Series Stopper Cylinder with the following features:

Small size and light weight.    

Flexible and precision.    

There are more mounting holes on the fixed board    

Different thread type can be offered according to customers' requirements.  

Self-lubricate on piston rod by oil.

How to Choose The Appropriate Cylinder Type

Industrial Requirements Analysis

Before selecting an air cylinder, it is essential to clearly define the actual application scenario. Does the system require frequent actuation? Is the installation space limited? What is the load size, required stroke length, and mounting method? All of these factors directly influence cylinder selection.

• For limited space, a compact cylinder is recommended.

• For long stroke applications in confined areas, a rodless cylinder is suitable.

• For heavy loads and frequent motion, a double-acting cylinder is ideal.

Performance Parameters and Durability Considerations

Beyond meeting functional needs, attention should also be given to the following performance parameters:

• Rated working pressure: Ensure it matches the system requirements.

  
  

• Service life: Check if key components are hardened for durability.

  
  

• Sealing performance: Ensure the cylinder has good leakage resistance.

  
  

Tips For Air Cylinder Maintenance 

Proper maintenance ensures longer life and stable performance of air cylinders. Here are some basic tips:

• Regular inspection: Check for air leaks, unusual noise, or wear on seals and components.

• Lubrication: Use appropriate pneumatic lubricants if required, especially for non-lubricated cylinders.

• Clean environment: Keep the cylinder and surroundings free from dust and debris to prevent contamination.

• Check alignment: Ensure the cylinder is correctly aligned with the load to avoid side loading and uneven wear.

• Replace worn parts: Timely replace damaged seals, rods, or fittings to prevent failure.

Routine maintenance helps reduce downtime and extends the cylinder’s service life.

Summarize

Choosing the right type of air cylinder based on your application needs is key to ensuring efficient operation and long service life. By considering factors like load, stroke length, space constraints, and environmental conditions, you can select a cylinder that not only performs reliably but also minimizes maintenance and downtime.