The News Of Fluid Power World

Pat Phillips is the Product Manager for Fluid Power and Mechanical products at Automation Direct, and he authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Fluid Power World titled Pneumatic Actuator Control Options.

Pneumatic actuators are a popular way to achieve motion for equipment and machinery because they are simple, cost-effective and durable. They are compact and powerful, and work well when the right configuration is selected. This article reviews some pneumatic actuator basics.

Pneumatic actuators convert the energy of compressed air into linear motion. Some basic styles are:

NFPA tie-rod

ISO 15552

Round body

Guided rod

Compact

Here is how Pat describes the basic functionality of a pneumatic cylinder:

Air pressure supplied to or removed from the piston moves it and the associated rod. The shaft generates linear motion, and additional mechanisms may translate this motion into a rotary or gripping action. Pneumatic valves control the flow of compressed air supplied or discharged from one or both sides of a cylinder.

Pneumatic actuators are available in a variety of configurations, and most incorporate cylinders in one way or another.

In addition to considering the geometry, mounting methods and sizing for the proper force, users need to plan for actuator control.