Pneumatic cylinders are mechanical devices which yield force in combination with other movements and are powered by air or compressed gas.
For these pneumatic air cylinders to work, they produce force through conversion of the potential energy of compressed gas to kinetic energy. This is done when the compressed gas is able to expand, even without external energy input, because of the pressure gradient created by the compressed gas since it has greater pressure than the atmospheric pressure. It is this same air expansion that causes a piston to move in a specific target.
There are different types of pneumatic cylinders. The most common are the Standard Air Cylinders, Air Cylinders with Adjustable Cushions, and Non-Rotating Air Cylinders.
The Standard Air cylinder has a mirror finish with a 304 stainless steel body. It also consists of 2 rolled end caps with a rod bushing and a "U" cup seal as well as a formulated HT-99 lubricant. It has various bore sizes and includes a wide array of mounting styles. Other options include extra rod extensions, bumpers, heavy spring, low and high temperature options, rod wipers, magnetic piston and a no-thread rod.
Meanwhile the Air Cylinders with Adjustable Cushions can be adjusted easily, are double acting models and also has a 304 stainless steel body and a mirror finish. This pneumatic cylinder is composed of high strength aluminum alloy that ports ends, ground and roller burnished 303 stainless steel piston rods. In addition, the air cylinder with adjustable cushion also has a "U" Cup Seal, and reduced breakaway friction of no more than 5 PSI. The cushion that goes with this air cylinder can give a good solution to destructive energies by trapping a minimal amount of exhaust air at the end of stroke, it provides and air pocket that decelerates the load hence decreasing the possible destructive energy which is transferred to the cylinder and other parts.
Another excellent, pneumatic cylinder is the Non-rotating Bimba Air Cylinder which has a stainless steel body and a unique square piston. The square rod can stop rotation better than any other rod configuration. In addition, these square pistons have rounded corners that give longer seal life than the standard hexagon rods. It is through the unique geometry of the square rod that provides improved rotation control. This non-rotating air cylinder has various bore sizes and a special high strength aluminum alloy rod guide meant for high load capabilities.
Aside from these, the non-rotating air cylinder can be dimensionally interchangeable with the conventional original line stainless steel Bimba Pneumatic cylinders. The Non-rotating cylinder can be purchased as a double acting or a reverse acting model.
There are other pneumatics cylinders available in the market but these three are among the most popular in terms of design as well as functionality. For more information about the Bimba pneumatic cylinders you can also research online or go directly to the manufacturer's web site.