We all know that any automation project is only as good as its weakest point, and in this respect, pneumatic cylinders are worth discussing. The two most recognized among many different types are Single Acting Pneumatic Cylinders and Double Acting Pneumatic Cylinders. What is the difference, and which one should you use for your application? In this article, we focus on their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages and explore case studies that help in suggesting the right cylinder for your applications.
1) What’s a Single Acting Pneumatic Cylinder?
Single Acting Pneumatic Cylinder is a very useful device, it extends in one stroke using air pressure and upon release of compressed air, the piston is brought back by a spring. This makes it ideal for applications such as clamps or ejectors where only one way thrust is required.
They are most commonly found in those operations which are simple and repetitive in nature because of ease of operation and ease of servicing. Additionally, having a simple structure enables them to be dependable without the risk of having a lot of complex components.
➔ Pros:
+ Less maintenance: As these have fewer moving parts and are simple in design, you will save a lot of time & money in maintenance.
+ Economical: Double-acting air cylinders cost around 25% more than these cylinders, which makes these a less expensive option.
+ Less Air Consumption: Because air is required for extension only ( retraction is done by spring ), you can save as much as 50 % of air.
+ Lightweight and smaller: If working in smaller spaces is your requirement, then the use of lightweight equipment is ideal, and that is what these air cylinders are ideal for.
+ Quick Extension: The air cylinder extends more quickly, as there is only one side of the piston with air pressure which may increase the efficiency of your operation.
➔ Cons:
– Limited Force: As the spring acts against the extension stroke, it limits the force exerted by the air pneumatic cylinder, usually 40% less than that of the double-acting models.
– Reduced Stroke Length: Due to the presence of internal spring, the overall stroke length is decreased which may affect the stroke length of the piston.
– Slower Retraction Over time: Due to wear and tear of the springs over a long period of usage, older springs can retract slower than expected, and a 20% loss in spring performance is quite common in overused environments.
– Temperature Sensitivity: Cold weather conditions can typically slow retraction speed by around 15%.
– Less Load capacity: These cylinders are suitable for light-duty tasks and do not handle heavier applications effectively.
2) What’s a Double Acting Pneumatic Cylinder?
A pneumatic double acting cylinder is a useful device used for movement in both extending and retracting directions, by utilizing air pressure. While single acting cylinders rely on a spring for retraction, these cylinders engage air pressures on either side of the piston, hence increasing the power and precision for various applications.
These cylinders can be of more importance when it comes to clamping or lifting because two acting angles add force and better control to be achieved. So, for reliable motions at work, such devices may increase the efficacy and performance!
➔ Pros:
+ More Force: In comparison to single-acting cylinders, they 50% more force than single-acting cylinders since these use air pressure to perform both extension and retraction.
+ Better Control: You can even control the speed and force used for both the extension and retraction movements, which enables this mechanism to be ideal for precision measures of varying forces.
+ Exclusive stroke length: As there is no spring( as in single-acting ones ), the cylinders pneumatic provide stroke lengths greater than 60 inches, therefore enabling a variety of tasks to be performed.
+ Countless Options: Industrial applications range from light to heavy-duty work, and this machinery will work for all settings.
➔ Cons:
– More Complicated System: The extra parts make the installation and servicing more complex and may require specific training or tools as well.
– More Expensive: Typically, these pneumatic piston cylinders are approximately 30% costlier than single acting cylinders owing to their complexity and additional components.
– Increased Consumption of Air: Since air is required for both strokes, expect higher levels of air consumption, which can increase operational costs.
– Bigger in Dimensions: These are heavier and bulkier than single acting cylinders, this can pose a concern in regards to small spaces or particular installations.
– More Worn-Out Parts: More moving parts could lead to wear and tear, which means more occasions for maintenance could be required.
– The possibility of losing pressure: If there is a leak in the system, it may cause problems in the operation as both strokes rely on alternating constant air pressure.
3) Which one is better for your Application?
There are millions of applications for which they are needed, but unfortunately, we can’t discuss them all. However, you can learn a basic guide where they are fit for use in the below table;
| Single Acting Cylinder | Double Acting Cylinder | |
| Simple Tasks | Ideal for pushing components in assembly lines (e.g., packaging machines) | Less suitable for straightforward tasks |
| Cost-Effective Solutions | Great for budget-friendly applications (e.g., small manufacturing setups) | Generally more expensive |
| Tight Spaces | Fits well in compact designs (e.g., robotic arms in tight spaces) | Larger footprint; not ideal for tight spaces |
| Low Maintenance Needs | Requires less maintenance | More maintenance is needed due to the complexity |
| Heavy-Duty Applications | Not suitable for heavy lifting | Perfect for lifting heavy loads (e.g., metal stamping machines) |
| Precision Control | Limited precision; fixed motion (e.g., simple clamping tasks) | Excellent for precise positioning (e.g., robotic assembly lines) |
| Versatile Tasks | Best for specific applications (e.g., ejection systems) | Ideal for a wide range of industrial tasks (e.g., CNC machining) |
| Consistent Performance | It may have variable performance | Provides smooth and reliable operation (e.g., automotive assembly) |
➔ Conclusion
Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate pneumatic cylinder that can improve efficiency and productivity in the operations. After considering various factors, you are now able to decide which type of pneumatic cylinder best fits your requirements. No matter if you prefer a simpler option or a complex one, BLCH manufacturing company has dependable solutions that are capable of augmenting your operations and furthering your path to victory.
