Solutions in Motion™

Fluid power can be complex. There are a lot of variables to consider when deciding what type fluid will be best to power your project. Should you choose hydraulic actuation that uses an oil-type fluid or pneumatic actuation that uses compressed air?

Here is a quick guide for picking the right kind of actuation for your project.

You’ve researched the many types of actuators and decided a rod-style actuator is the answer for your industrial equipment design. That’s great! But, do you want a hydraulic rod cylinder or a pneumatic rod cylinder? Either style can deliver excellent, reliable performance in the right circumstances, so what’s the difference?

When your industrial design calls for linear movement, you might want to use hydraulic actuators. There are definite advantages to using a fluid-powered actuator, but that doesn’t mean they are right for every purpose. It all comes down to the requirements of your specific application. So, when should you choose hydraulic linear actuators?

By definition, actuators either move things or stop them. In industrial design and other heavy-duty applications, actuators — or cylinders — provide the driving force that moves (or holds) machinery components. You may ask, "Should I choose pneumatic cylinders for my design or some other type? Well, that depends on what you need to move, in what way, and under what conditions.

Pneumatic cylinders are powered by compressed air. But cylinders can also be powered by pressurized fluid (hydraulic), by electricity, or by hand (mechanical). For obvious practicality reasons, we can rule out hand-cranked cylinders for industrial applications.

If you need power, there’s nothing like a hydraulic cylinder to deliver a big punch. It’s the workhorse of the industrial world for the heaviest lifters and movers, including bulldozers and dump trucks. Hydraulic cylinders are commonly used in mobile applications. Hydraulic cylinder bore sizes can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.

Pneumatic cylinders are typically used on industrial machinery and rely on compressed air pressure from 15-110 psi. Pneumatic cylinders tend to have less overall cost associated when compared to hydraulic cylinders. Pneumatic cylinders have more main body choices which include extruded aluminum profiles for easier integration into machinery.

Designing around them requires knowledge of pressure, force, and safety considerations. But it all starts with understanding the difference between a single and double acting hydraulic cylinder.

W.C. Branham President and CEO Troy Branham introduces our newest product line, OVLPRO™ Low Profile Pneumatic Cylinders, in this edition of Solutions in Motion. 

Like many of our products, OVLPRO™ was originally designed from a specific customer request: looking for a low profile, compact, high reciprocating cylinder for a specific application. We offer OVLPRO™ in three bore sizes: 25mm, 32mm, and 44mm bore.