Fabco-Air
Selecting Compact Cylinders White Paper 1 617176230e3c4

What to Look for When Selecting Compact Air Cylinders

Oct. 21, 2021
Exploring the configurations, sizes, and internal components that can make or break your cylinder in short-stroke applications.

Compact air cylinders are critical to a wide range of applications including printing, palletizing, robotics, automotive assembly, semiconductor processing, and more.

This type of pneumatic actuator provides short strokes in a compact, low-profile design—enabling you to use it in very tight spaces. With bore sizes from 0.5 to 4 in. (1.3 to 10.2 cm) and a maximum standard stroke of 4 in. (10.2 cm), these cylinders typically feature the longest possible stroke for the smallest package size. In light of their value and widespread use, it’s important to remember that not all compact air cylinders are created equal. There are a number of products currently competing for your attention and a share of the actuator market. Many of these components have similar features. Some even look alike—featuring the exact same exterior dimensions. How, then, can you decide which cylinder to use?

This white paper provides a helpful overview of air cylinder design and also explores the key features you should look for when selecting a compact cylinder for your application.