In the industrial world, pneumatics is synonymous with automation and efficiency. Pneumatic cylinders, the final but most vital component of a pneumatic setup, use compressed air and convert its force into mechanical energy to provide a motion directed to an application to perform the specific task it is designated for.
The applications of pneumatic cylinders
Pneumatic cylinders have a high degree of applicability. They can be configured in multiple ways depending on the type of application. Therefore they come in many designs and styles. They can be small enough to fit in the smallest of spaces and big enough to perform heavy-duty tasks, which are quite difficult, rather impossible for humans to perform. Thus they have enabled a high degree of automation in the factory settings.
These cylinders are Pneumatic cylinders made in various materials and thus cater to various kinds of applications requiring varying amounts of force and can withstand very high degrees of temperatures. They can also be manufactured in materials to prevent corrosion and thus enable durability and longevity in the application.
It is thus easy to see why many industries are now relying on pneumatic cylinders for performing various applications.
Below are five examples where pneumatic cylinders have proven to be particularly beneficial.
1. Door/valve opening and closing
The push and pull feature of pneumatic cylinders is leveraged in opening pressurized valves, automatic doors, etc. The utility has even extended to space shuttles, where siłowniki pneumatyczne are employed to open and close space shuttle doors.
2. Manufacturing and supplying industry
Pneumatic cylinders are widely used in various manufacturing and supply industries. They are usually found on components and processes that entail linear movement. A few examples of equipment that use pneumatic cylinders include product pushing equipment, tensioners, grippers, clampers, embossers, boxing machines etc.
Since they are reliable and respond quickly, they are the ideal mechanism or device for performing multiple kinds of repetitive tasks, such as picking a package or part and putting it in another designated position, material handling, palletizing etc.
They are used to emboss packaging or parts etc., and on the assembly line to lift heavy objects off or place heavy objects on it. The various functions are performed through the end component attached to the pneumatic cylinder to perform the requisite task.
3. Food processing
Stainless steel, round body pneumatic actuators are very suitable for use in hygienic environments such as food and beverage processing and packaging, as they allow for smooth and clean surfaces. They are corrosion-free and prevent cross-contamination or the spread of germs and bacteria.
The food and beverages processing or packaging setups are used for material handling and packaging, etc. They are also used in PET preform for packaging of beverages like water, juice, carbonated drinks or liquor, pickles, jams, medicines and oils etc.
4. Automotive
Pneumatic cylinders are used in automobiles and airplanes for landing gear suspension and brake systems in automobiles, motorbikes, ATVs and airplanes.
5. Robotics
Pneumatic cylinders are employed in the McKibben artificial muscles. The design of the muscles is rubber tubes encased in a metal mesh. When the rubber tubes inflate, the metal mesh expands, which causes the diameter of the mesh to increase. As a result, the length becomes shorter, causing a pull in the arm. The two sets of muscles in the arms work together to provide coordinated movements through the double-acting cylinders.
