Pneumatic actuators use compressed gas to create mechanical energy for machinery. Types include single/double acting cylinders, rotary actuators, and diaphragm actuators. Rodless models operate at a shorter length and use magnets, bands, or cables for control.
Pneumatic actuators are mechanisms that convert the potential energy of a compressed gas, most frequently air, into mechanical energy to drive machinery. The compressed gas is directed into a space where its expansion drives a piston or shaft to initiate movement. Commonly found types of pneumatic actuators include single or double acting pneumatic cylinders, rotary actuators, and diaphragm actuators. Pneumatic cylinders can also operate based on a rodless design incorporating magnets, bands or cables.
Pneumatic cylinder actuators use a valve to inject compressed gas into a closed chamber with a piston. The gas expansion pushes the piston along the length of the cylinder. The piston is normally connected to a rod which moves to initiate a mechanical operation. Pneumatic cylinders are often used in manufacturing environments such as assembly lines, loading and unloading products, or to otherwise aid in motion control of a process.
A single acting cylinder uses a spring to return the piston to its initial position. A double acting cylinder uses two different streams of compressed gas, one at each end of the cylinder. One stream of air pushes the piston away from its starting point and the other pushes it back at the other end of the cylinder.
Rotary pneumatic actuators take the potential energy of the compressed gas and convert it into torque or rotary motion. The actuator drives a rod through an arc, usually between 45 and 180 degrees of rotation. The inside of the actuator can use rotating vanes to create motion or a rack and pinion configuration. Rotary actuators can operate in a space smaller than a cylinder which requires length for piston travel.
Another design is a pneumatic diaphragm actuator. In this configuration, a rod is connected to a diaphragm which divides a space into two chambers. Two separate streams of compressed gas, one on each side of the diaphragm, create a pressure differential which causes the rod to be pushed outward. Many of these actuators are equipped with a spring to return the rod to its original position.
Rodless models of pneumatic actuators can operate at a shorter length than a rod cylinder. The stroke force created by the compressed air is contained within the actuator. The cylinder is supported on slides or bearings to smoothly transmit motion to the process and maintain load support throughout the piston stroke. The movement is controlled with mating magnets, a sealing tape or wires.
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