Overview of Pneumatic cylinders provided by JLCMC

Introduction:

A thorough study of pneumatic cylinders is presented in this article. Continue reading to discover more about topics like:

• Compact air cylinder
• Mini air cylinder
• Rodless air cylinder
• Air gripper
• Pneumatic slide table

Chapter 1: Compact air cylinders

In general, compact air cylinders are quite important. In the market for pneumatic actuators, it appears to be the trend. This specific kind of pneumatic actuator was created to meet the demand for compact, low profile, short stroke air cylinders that could fit into extremely small areas. Actually, the longest stroke achievable in the smallest overall envelope size is provided by this form of cylinder. Even now, around sixty years later, compact air cylinders remain highly significant. These days, when space is at a premium and mechanical actuation is preferred, compact cylinders that operate on compressed air are frequently the go-to option. A common compact air cylinder has a standard stroke range of 1.5mm to 100mm and a bore size range of 12mm to 100mm. These cylinders, with their normal maximum stroke of 100mm, are also commonly referred to as short stroke cylinders.

As seen in Figure 1, the original compact cylinder had a bored body shape. Compact cylinders are now available with an extruded body design (Figure 3), in addition to the bored body design, in both round and square designs (Figure 2) and a traditional tie-rod/spacer arrangement.

Features of compact air cylinders:

• Ultra Compact cylinder that saves space and weight.
• Wide range of bore sizes and strokes (12mm~100mm).
• A decrease in labour due to a minimal number of components.
• It is possible to mount small auto switches on four surfaces.

Applications of compact air cylinders:

The selection of compact air cylinders is based on their suitability for specific uses. These are genuinely infinite uses. The following is a brief list of typical uses for compact air cylinders in various industries:

• Aftermarket Automotive
• Animatronics
• Automotive Assembly
• Conveyor Systems
• Custom Built Machinery & Equipment
• Door and Window Frame Manufacturing
• Material Handling
• Packaging
• Palletizing
• Paper Converting
• Plastic Mold Machinery
• Printing
• Robotics
• Stamping and Forming
• Semiconductor Processing

Examples of compact air cylinders provided by JLCMC

Examples of compact air cylinders are shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 4. Examples of compact air cylinders.

Chapter 2: Mini air cylinders

An increasing number of new application domains are being opened up by the ongoing trend of product and component miniaturization. Mini cylinders are frequently used in contemporary handling technology applications and fit in seamlessly anywhere. With a piston rod diameter as small as 2.5 mm and a maximum size of 25 mm, the mini cylinders offer the appropriate parts in an extensive array of combinations for any potential need. Our program's mini air cylinders are made for specific uses and industry solution because of their unique qualities, strengths, and applications.  Using stainless steel pins to secure the piston rod against rotation is made easier with the octagonal piston shape. The cylinder's material selection gives it exceptional resistance to aggressive fluids.

Fig. 6, another design, is distinguished by its durability and extended service life. Those who depend on maximum efficiency are the target audience for this cylinder, both developers and consumers.

For transferring light weights, the smallest cylinder (Fig. 7) is perfect. For instance, fatigue testing of manually operated devices like computer keyboards and mobile phones is a significant area of use for that series.

Features of mini air cylinders:

The mini cylinders are designed for small handling applications for more reasons than just their reduced size. Additional benefits for customers in a wide range of industries include maximum accuracy and dependability, a demand-driven and precisely controlled power regulation, light weight due to the use of contemporary materials, and trendsetting function integration.

Applications of mini air cylinders:

• Electronics industry
• Semiconductor industry
• Medical technology

Examples of mini air cylinders provided by JLCMC

Examples of compact air cylinders are shown in Fig. 8.

Chapter 3: Rodless air cylinders

In contrast to a standard air cylinder, a rodless air cylinder has no piston rod that protrudes outside the cylinder body. Rather, an external carriage is linked to the internal piston using a mechanical or magnetic connection mechanism.

There are three types of rod less cylinders, they are:

1. Cable Cylinder
2. Sealing band Cylinder with slotted cylinder barrel
3. Cylinder with Magnetically Coupled Slide

Cable cylinder:

It is employed for strokes up to 2000 mm in length. As seen in Figure 9, it is made up of nylon jacketed cable that enters the cylinder barrel, is fastened to one end of the internal cylinder, escapes via a gland seal, and enters the other end of the internal cylinder through a second gland seal. The piston moves end to end when compressed air enters the cylinder. Additionally moving are the cables that reach out from the ends of the cylinder and are fastened to either side of the piston. The carriage and any on-carriage tools travel in the direction of the piston, which determines which way the air cylinder ends up.

Sealing band Cylinder with slotted cylinder barrel:

Figure 10 shows the schematic diagram of a sealing band cylinder with a slotted cylinder barrel. Regardless of the direction of motion, the two band sealing strips alternately open in front of the moving carriage and then close in back as it goes. Air leakage is stopped by the seals on the pistons within the cylinder barrel, which force the inner band seal firmly against the barrel of the cylinder. A wiper assembly on each end of the carriage that sits above the band cylinder will clear any debris from the carriage path and firmly push the top seal against the cylinder barrel's slot to prevent any compressed air from escaping.

Cylinder with Magnetically Coupled Slide:

The magnetic piston cylinder schematic diagram is displayed in Figure 11. A strong magnet in the piston connects it to the carriage outside the cylinder, which also contains a strong magnet. The magnetic cylinders come in diameters of up to 40 mm and stroke lengths ranging from 50 mm to 4000 mm. They have a maximum operating speed of 3000 mm/sec.

Features of rodless air cylinder:

• Lightweight: The body and head cover forms have been redesigned, and magnetic coupling has been used to lower the product weight.
• Improved lubrication: To ensure a lubrication film and to promote lubricant retention on the piston, a lube-retainer is added.
• Stable operation: Smooth movement can be achieved by lengthening the wear ring on the body side by a maximum of 30%.
• 50 % space saving.
• Magnetic transit design: The movement is transited by magnetic force using a silder magnet and a piston side magnet.
• Stainless tube, light weighted and durable.
• All series are without switch types.

Applications:

It's time to select the ideal rodless cylinder for your equipment, as there are several applications for them! Even though they are tiny, these compact solutions may significantly increase the functioning of your equipment by supporting large loads. And it's definitely something to investigate, given the variety of uses for rodless cylinders. Also, it is used when a long stroke is necessary.

Examples of rodless air cylinders provided by JLCMC

Examples of compact air cylinders are shown in Fig. 12.

Chapter 4: Air gripper

A particular kind of pneumatic actuator known as a pneumatic gripper usually requires the motion of surfaces in either a parallel or angular orientation in order to grasp an item. The gripper can be used to pick up and move a component throughout the production process when paired with other pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic parts. While some grippers employ a mechanism like a gear or toggle to leverage the amount of force given to the object being grabbed, others act directly on the thing they are grasping based on the force of the air pressure provided to the gripper.

Pneumatic grippers are tools for picking and placing. It uses fingers, or gripper jaws, and pressurized air to operate them. These fingers, which resemble human fingers, are useful for grabbing, gripping, and releasing work items. Fig. 13 illustrates a pneumatic gripper that typically consists of three fingers with a single or double acting cylinder for control, or two fingers that can be parallel or angular.

Features of air grippers:

• Better maintenance and safeguarding against swarfs.
• The robot's load capacity is not restricted by its lightweight and small design.
• A new mounting method with a smaller protrusion than traditional versions.
• A more precise grasp because of the body's exceptional rigidity.
• Economical.
• Strong grasping power.Capacity to grasp a range of workpiece arrangements.
• Modifiable force of grip.

Applications of air grippers:

• They are mostly used in automated manufacturing processes to grip a work piece

Examples of air grippers provided by JLCMC

Examples of air grippers are shown in Fig. 14.

Chapter 5: Pneumatic slide table cylinders

The precision slide table cylinder seen in Figure 15 is equipped with cross roller bearings, guides, and rails to separate the load bearing from the movement of the dual rods and piston seals. Rubber bumpers or shock absorbers, which come in ranges of 0-5 mm, 0-15 mm, and 0-25 mm, are used to stop the sliding table. For exact alignment, they can be combined with a stroke adjuster. In vertical installations, the end lock option keeps the sliding table from falling, improving safety in the case of an air pressure loss.

The cylinder loads the slide to perform linear reciprocating motion, and the length of the guide rod determines the pushing stroke for a slide table cylinder. The push and draw forces on the guide rod are determined based on the amount of the force needed for the task.

Features of pneumatic slide table cylinders:

• Extreme rigidity
• Small overall size;
• Low friction;
• Capable of achieving smooth movement without looseness.
• Compact design that conserves installation space;
• Compact design that combines a cylinder and workpiece mounting table for precise installation;
• Excellent accuracy, optional adjustable stroke mechanism;
• Pin holes and screw holes are processed for workpiece installation; employing a thread bushing will reinforce the thread.
• High guiding precision, anti-torque, and robust load capacity
• A magnetic switch with grooves is installed on the side of the body; this switch is not convex.
• By using a twin cylinder construction, you may obtain double the output force.
• Processing of the positioning pin hole allows for three different installation orientations for the main body screw hole.

Applications of pneumatic slid table cylinders:

One popular linear drive mechanism in the automation sector is the pneumatic air slide table cylinder. It finds extensive use in the realm of robotics and machine tool automation systems. Used widely in the printing, semiconductor, robotics, automation control, and other sectors.

Examples of pneumatic air slide table cylinders provided by JLCMC

Examples of pneumatic air slide table cylinders are shown in Fig. 16.

Summary

The original air cylinder was introduced around 60 years ago, and this cylinder type is still very important to the movement of the industrial world today! The designs, configurations, and choices available for these short stroke cylinders are extensive. This article discusses the importance of pneumatic air cylinders in the market for pneumatic actuators. Compact air cylinders are low profile, short stroke air cylinders that can fit into extremely small areas and operate on compressed air. They have a standard stroke range of 1.5mm to 100mm and are commonly referred to as short stroke cylinders. They are available with a bored body shape, extruded body design, round and square head designs, and traditional tie-rod/spacer arrangement. Compact cylinders save space and weight, have a wide range of bore sizes and strokes, and a decrease in labor due to a minimal number of components. They can be used in various industries such as aftermarket automotive, animatronics, automotive assembly, custom-built machinery, material handling, packaging, palletizing, plastic mold machinery, printing, robotics, and semiconductor processing.