How to specify pneumatic cylinders

Pneumatic actuators should be selected for their ability to perform a specific function. To size a cylinder properly, the operator will need to determine how much force it needs to produce. When the force is known, he can determine the bore size or the power factor (effective piston area) of the cylinder. Knowing the stroke starts to define the type of cylinder he will need and the envelope size required for mounting it. Mounting can be a challenging issue. Rigid through-hole mounting is available on many short-stroke cylinder models. It provides counter-bored holes drilled through the cylinder body for easy mounting with socket-head cap screws. When designing in a custom cylinder, it's easier if one starts with a particular family of cylinders, such as NFPA-interchangeable, compact, or non-repairable, that will be conducive to his/her application.