Leading Pneumatic Actuator Manufacturers

What Is a Pneumatic Actuator?

Pneumatic actuators can transfer energy through their stem, being helped with the spring force and air pressure. Pneumatic actuators usually consist of a piston, a spring, and valves.

Within the main component of the actuator, two separate air chambers are created using a rubber diaphragm. This upper chamber specializes in receiving air from an opening located at the top of the main component or housing.

How Pneumatic Actuators Function

Pneumatic actuators work by relying on a form of pressurized gas or compressed air. This compressed air enters the chamber and builds up pressure. When enough pressure has been built in relation to the outside atmospheric pressure, there is a controlled kinetic movement of the device's gear or piston. This movement can be directed in a straight line or circular motion.

Types of Pneumatic Actuators

There are various types of pneumatic actuators: tie rod cylinders, pneumatic valve actuators, grippers, and pneumatic artificial muscles.

Pneumatic Valve Actuators

Pneumatic valve actuators are a type of pneumatic actuator defined by the use of valves in their overall function.

Tie Rod Cylinder

Tie rod cylinders are named for their structure. These types of pneumatic cylinders have a set of bolts that holds them in place through a pair of contained castings. Each of these is located on either end of the barrel.

These actuators are simple in their design and commonly brought up with fixed stroke lengths and bore sizes. Because of this, manufacturers can be disadvantaged when developing or making new equipment.

Grippers

Pneumatic grippers are actuator devices that work as a set of jaws or fingers, allowing manufacturers to hold an object so it can be manipulated. These contained jaws are not part of the pneumatic grippers themselves but are a specialized set of tools.

The gripper commonly performs two main actions. The first action, the external method, involves the gripper jaws and the force of the jaws holding the object. The shortest stroke length is required to succeed in this method. This method is simplistic, making it the most used method for holding items.

Secondly, the internal method includes the opening force of the grippers holding the object. This internal method requires the gripper to hold the object from the center, which is useful for cases where the exterior of the object cannot be accessed at all.

Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

Pneumatic artificial muscles are devices that consist of a pneumatic bladder that can either be contractile or extensional, and this bladder is designed to hold pressurized air. The bladder has a thin membrane that makes the device very lightweight.

This same reason also enables the actuator to be connected directly to the structure they are intended to power. The same thin and flexible membrane allows the actuator to mimic biological systems, including human muscle.

Applications and Uses of Pneumatic Actuators

Pneumatic actuators can be formed as pistons and ignition chambers in gasoline-powered vehicles. They use the ignited air and gasoline, resulting in a pressurized force that aims to move the piston and convert energy into the car's crankshaft.

Pneumatic actuators are also used in air compressors, machinery used for packaging and production, and mail tubes and transportation equipment such as railway and aircraft applications. In general, they are ideal in areas requiring a switch, sensor control, and pump.

Choosing the Right Pneumatic Actuator Manufacturer

To ensure you have the most positive outcome when purchasing pneumatic actuators from a pneumatic actuator manufacturer, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of pneumatic actuator manufacturers. Each pneumatic actuator manufacturer has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each pneumatic actuator business website using our proprietary website previewer to quickly learn what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple pneumatic actuator companies with the same form.