At SMC Danmark, our catalogue provides pneumatic actuators and pneumatic cylinders that are flexible and suitable for a wide range of industrial application. Our goal is that our actuators offer solutions that are lightweight and compact for industrial use; besides, our products aim at lowering expenses and improving the energy efficiency of your machines.
In our product catalogue of pneumatic cylinders, you can purchase items and components that will enable your equipment and machinery to function according to your requirements.
Variety of pneumatic actuators to suit your needs from SMC Danmark
Linear Actuators
Linear actuators are actuators that transform pneumatic power into a linear motion and can be classified into two main categories:
Single acting cylinders: The force of the piston rod is unidirectional, as there is a single source of compressed air.
Double acting cylinders: The force of the piston rod is bidirectional, with a forward and a backward movement, as the air is switched in succession between the two sides of the cylinder.
Guided Cylinders
Guided cylinders are specifically built to resist greater external forces and execute accurate motions. They can be mainly classified into 2 types:
Cylinders with guide rods: These cylinders have a built-in guide system that offer a compact, solid, and accurate solution.
Slide tables: These pneumatic slides are compact actuators and perfect for precise motions.
Rotary Actuators
Rotary actuators convert the pneumatic power into a rotary movement. They are specifically built for industrial uses where the piece must be rotated or flipped.
Based on how they operate, rotary cylinders can be divided into two sections:
- Rack and pinion actuator
- Rotary vane actuator
Pneumatic grippers
Pneumatic grippers are the mechanical component that enables a piece to be grabbed and held for further handling. When selecting a gripper, it is essential to do it according to the needs and the characteristics of each application, and the form of the workpiece is a crucial factor. Based on this, there are three types of grippers:
Parallel grippers: Parallel grippers feature two fingers that remains parallel when they open and close, and are mostly suitable for flat and parallel surfaces.
Angular gripper (180° or smaller): Angular grippers open and close their fingers simultaneously and are perfect for curved and hollow surfaces.
Concentric gripper: Concentric grippers have three fingers or more shifting closer and farther from the centre of the gripper. They are ideal for surfaces with shapes of a cylinder or a sphere.
Applications for pneumatic cylinders
SMC’s pneumatic actuators and cylinders have various functions and can be used across different sectors.
The typical applications for pneumatic cylinders include:
- Pressing
- Lifting
- Transferring
- Positioning
- Clamping
- Stopping
- Pick and place
- Sorting
How to choose a pneumatic cylinder?
When choosing a pneumatic cylinder for your application, various factors should be carefully considered, such as:
- Bore size: The bore size of the actuator is determined by the required power and the pressure of the compressed air.
- Load Stopping Impact: Choosing the proper shock absorber can be crucial, providing a gentle impact and safeguarding the workpiece. For a fast-paced setting, a hydraulic shock absorber may be required: this will assist in preserving the application parts.
- External forces: The cylinder may face external forces, such as bending or buckling, which needs to be considered when selecting the actuator. Sometimes, an external or built-in guide system could be needed.
- Required air flow: When creating a pneumatic circuit, understanding the operating speed of the cylinder is crucial for determining the required airflow. This ensures the system functions correctly.
- Moment of inertia: For rotary actuators, calculating the moment of inertia is specifically crucial as a possible error can cause an over-sizing, under-sizing, or an unsuitable solution.
Additionally, it is essential to think about environmental factors to extend the lifespan of pneumatic components. For instance, excessive moisture, oil, or other particles in the compressed air could lead to breakdowns during industrial operations.
Specialists strongly advise that enhancing the quality of compressed air is crucial for preventing issues in the pneumatic systems.
We advise you to use our pneumatic cylinders' configurator where you can select long-lasting and solid accessories and actuators, along with other engineering tools offered by SMC Danmark.
If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions or doubts during the selection and/or the purchase process of your pneumatic cylinders, our experts are available to assist you in Danish or in English.
