Pneumatic Actuators and Pneumatic Cylinders

Pneumatic Actuators and Pneumatic Cylinders

SMC Finland's range of pneumatic cylinders offers flexibility to meet various industrial demands. These pneumatic actuators and cylinders, known for their lightweight and compact design, are tailored for industrial applications, aiming to cut down expenses while enhancing the efficiency of your machinery.

In our catalogue of pneumatic cylinders, a range of products and components are available to purchase and are specifically designed to ensure the correct functioning of your equipment and machinery according to your requirements.

Range of pneumatic actuators we offer at SMC Finland

Linear Actuators

These linear actuators transform pneumatic energy into linear motion and can be categorised into two primary groups.

Single acting cylinders: The force of the piston rod is unidirectional, due to the presence of a single compressed air source.

Double acting cylinders: The force exerted by the piston rod operates in two ways, during both the output and return strokes, as air is alternately supplied to the cylinder's two chambers.

Guided Cylinders

Guided cylinders are uniquely engineered to handle greater external forces and execute movements with high precision. They primarily fall into two categories:

Cylinders with guide rods: These are cylinders featuring an internal guide system, offering a robust, compact, and accurate solution.

Slide tables: These pneumatic slides, compact in design, are ideal actuators for movements requiring high precision.

Rotary Actuators

Rotary actuators convert pneumatic energy into rotational motion and are specifically tailored for industrial uses involving the rotation or turning of a workpiece.

Based on their functional mechanism, rotary cylinders can be categorised into:

• Rack and pinion actuator
• Rotary vane actuator

Pneumatic grippers

Pneumatic grippers serve as the mechanical component enabling the grasping and holding of a workpiece for subsequent manipulation. Choosing a pneumatic gripper depends on the specific needs and characteristics of each application, with the workpiece's shape being a crucial consideration. Based on this, grippers are classified into three types:

Parallel gripper: Parallel grippers are primarily utilised for gripping flat and parallel surfaces.

Angular gripper (180° or smaller): Angular grippers are best suited for handling both convex and concave surfaces.

Concentric gripper: Centric grippers are ideally designed for grasping cylindrical and spherical surfaces.

Common uses for pneumatic cylinders

Pneumatic actuators and cylinders find diverse applications in various industries, including:

• Pressing
• Lifting
• Transferring
• Positioning
• Clamping
• Stopping
• Pick and place
• Sorting

How to select a pneumatic cylinder?

Multiple factors should be considered when choosing pneumatic cylinders for your applications, including:

• Bore size: The bore size of the actuator is determined based on the necessary power and the pressure level of the compressed air.
• Load Stopping Impact: Selecting the appropriate shock absorber is crucial, as it guarantees a gentle impact and safeguards the workpiece. In environments with high speeds, opting for a hydraulic shock absorber may be essential to protect the components of the application.
• External forces: The cylinder may experience external forces like bending or buckling, which should be taken into account when selecting an actuator. In certain instances, the use of an external or integrated guidance system might be required.
• Required air flow: In designing a pneumatic circuit, understanding the operating speed of the cylinder is crucial to determine the necessary airflow for the system's optimal functioning.
• Moment of inertia: With rotary actuators, an extra element needs attention. Accurately calculating the moment of inertia is vital, as any misjudgement could result in oversizing, undersizing, or an inappropriate solution.

Considering environmental factors is essential to extend the lifespan of pneumatic components. For example, the presence of excessive moisture, oils, or other particles might lead to malfunctions in industrial processes.

Enhancing the quality of compressed air, as advised by experts, is critical for the preventive maintenance of pneumatic systems.

Select durable actuators and accessories using our pneumatic cylinder configurator, among the various engineering tools provided by SMC.

Should you face any challenges or have queries or uncertainties while selecting or purchasing pneumatic cylinders, our specialists are ready to help in either Finnish or English.