Chapter 8 - The Pneumatic Cylinder - Part 2

Chapter 8:
The pneumatic cylinder – part 2
Right of authorship: the content of the training (wording, drawings, pictures) are owned by the author. Any utilization except for
individual use is allowed only after permission of the author.
In chapter 7 we looked at the most important features and characteristics of a pneumatic cylinder:
1. Design
2. Diameter and stroke
3. Movement
4. Number of positions
5. ISO symbols
In this chapter we will cover:
6. Cushioning
7. Detection of cylinder position (magnetic)
8. Speed control
9. International Standards
6. Cushioning
Compressed air can enter the cylinder at a very high speed. If the piston hits the cap or head at high speed, it
can lead to damage. In order to avoid that, most cylinders are equipped with end-of-stroke absorbers /
cushioning’s, which reduce the piston’s speed shortly before it reaches the cap and thus reduce shock.
There are two ways to reduce the shock:
• flexible shock absorbers
• adjustable cushioning
Page 1
Hafner-Pneumatik Krämer KG, Stammheimerstraße 10, D-70806 Kornwestheim, Germany,
Phone: 0049-7154-178589-0, E-Mail: [email protected], web : www.hafner-pneumatik.com
Chapter 8:
Flexible Shock Absorbers
The easiest way to avoid a hard shock is to assemble some kind of soft material between the piston and the
cap/head. It comes in form of a ring which is usually made from polyurethane and thus offers very good shock-
absorption. This design is often times used for cylinders with rather small diameters where the strain is not that
high. The same kind is used for compact cylinders where the small dimensions do not allow any larger devices.
The flexible shock absorbers are highlighted with red arrows in the graph below.
Adjustable (pneumatic) Cushioning
The adjustable pneumatic cushioning is used if it comes to stronger forces due to higher speeds or bigger sizes.
This way of reducing shock is efficient as well as wear-free. During the last 10 to 50 mm of its travel (depending
on the size of the cylinder), the piston builds an air cushion inside the cylinder. The degree of cushioning
(= speed reduction) can be adjusted at both ends of the cylinder for both sides respectively. The mechanism is a
flow-regulating valve.
Both tie-rod and profile cylinders offer that feature, according to ISO 15552. Rodless cylinders often offer it, too.
Round cylinders (ISO 6432) of larger diameters, as well as special cylinders, can be equipped accordingly.
The components of the cushioning are marked with red in the graph below.
Page 2
Chapter 8:
Below you can learn more about the function of the adjustable pneumatic cushioning:
1. cylinder head
2. throttle screw
3. cylinder tube
4. brake piston
5. cylinder piston
6. piston rod
7. braking chamber
8. port / air connection
graph 1. graph 2.
During the movement of the piston, the compressed air exhausts through the port (8) (graph 1).
Before the piston reaches the head, the brake piston (4) – which is part of the cylinder piston (5) – prevents
the air within the braking chamber (7) from exhausting through the port (8) (graph 2). The air trapped there can
only exhaust through a much smaller orifice. The orifice can be adjusted with the throttle screw.
Inside the braking chamber (7) pressure goes up and generates a temporary air spring. Its resistance remains
there until the air has completely exhausted through the throttle screw (2).
CAUTION! The throttle screw can only adjust the degree of cushioning / speed of the cylinder piston for the last
10 to 50 mm of its movement.
How to adjust the speed of a cylinder in general will be covered later in this chapter.
Page 3
Chapter 8:
7. Detection of cylinder position (magnetic)
Sensors are absolutely necessary elements when it comes to industrial automation. Sensors generate
information and control entire processes.
In order to detect the position of the piston, sensors which are triggered by a magnetic field are assembled onto
the pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder piston is equipped with a magnet so that the sensor can receive a
signal.
The sensor is assembled onto the cylinder in the

position where the signal is required.
Many cylinders have an outer profile

that offers space for assembling the
sensor directly.
Sensor / switch … … assembled onto the tube
There are two different types of sensors / switches:
• REED switch
• Inductive, PNP switch
Page 4
Chapter 8:
REED switch
REED switches consist of two ferromagnetic nickel-iron wires. They are packed together in a glass tube filled
with a noble gas and are made from a magnetic material.
The magnet in the piston induces a magnetic

field, making the shifting wires approach each
other.
The shifting wires connect and close the

electric circuit.
The switches have an LED that starts to glow

when the circuit is closed.
The REED switches have 2 wires, which can

be operated between 3 and 230 Volt AC/DC.
Symbol
Page 5
Chapter 8:
Inductive, PNP switch
The function of the inductive PNP switch is based on the principles of a bipolar junction transistor. When the
magnet that is built into the piston gets close to the switch, it gives a well-defined signal. The switch can be used
‘normally open’ as well as ‘normally closed’.
An LED displays the condition of the switch.
PNP switches have generally 3 wires. They work within a voltage range of 5 to 30 V DC.
Symbol
Advantages of the PNP switch in comparison to the REED switch:
• No movable parts inside
• Higher frequency
• Higher durability
Page 6
Chapter 8:
8. Speed control of cylinders
To control the speed of a pneumatic cylinder (actuator) over the entire stroke, flow regulators or flow-regulating
silencers can be used.
For the positive movement of a double-acting

cylinder, compressed air enters the plus chamber.
Simultaneously, the air in the minus chamber exits.
(controlled by a 5/2-way valve)
Ideally, we control the speed of the cylinder by

reducing the flow of the exiting air.
To control the speed, we regulate the exhaust air flowing out of the cylinder chamber. We thereby avoid an
immediate exhaust. The air is in both chambers available as long as the piston has reached the end position. The
movement is therefore very smooth.
CAUTION! In order to set the speed of the cylinder and to get a smooth movement, it is always the exhaust air
that has to be controlled.
To do this there are different products available for speed regulation:
• Uni-directional flow regulator – block form flow regulator
• Uni-directional flow regulator – function fitting to be assembled in the cylinder
• Uni-directional flow regulator – function fitting to be assembled in the valve
• Exhaust flow regulator – to be assembled into the valve
Page 7
Chapter 8:
Uni-directional flow regulator = one-way flow control valve
In order to allow compressed air to flow into the cylinder at full speed, while allowing it to exhaust slowly, we use a
one-way flow control valve.
Throttled air-flow:
Air flowing this way has to pass the throttle (flow

regulator) as the other path is blocked by a check
valve.
Free air-flow:
Air flowing the opposite direction can bypass the

throttle and passes through the check-valve (non-
return valve).
By using two one-way flow control valves, we can independently regulate the positive as well as the negative
movement of the cylinder.
During positive movement, air bypasses the flow

regulator into the plus chamber. Air that is supposed
to leave the minus chamber has to pass through the
throttle in the flow regulator. This limits the speed of
the cylinder.
During negative movement, the air flows through

the same block form flow regulators. This time the air
flowing into the minus chamber bypasses the throttle
while the exhaust of the plus chamber is regulated.
The speed of the positive movement has to be

adjusted at the regulator of the minus chamber and
vice versa.
There are many different designs of flow-regulators available and their sizes differ depending on the
manufacturer.
Page 8
Chapter 8:
Function fittings are screwed either directly into the cylinder or into the valve. Therefore there are two
different types, one for each area of application.
• A flow regulator for a cylinder reduces the flow that streams from the thread to the push-in fitting (out
of the cylinder).
• A flow regulator for a valve regulates the flow from the push-in fitting to the threaded port (into the
valve).
There are products where the manual adjustment can be done with a screw-driver or with a knurled-head screw.
Function fitting with one-way flow regulator for cylinder
Function fitting with one-way flow regulator for valve
One-way flow regulator with two push-in fittings
Block form flow regulator with two female ports
Page 9
Chapter 8:
Sample circuits for cylinders with speed control
Below you see three different ways of speed control for a double-acting cylinder, with air supply via a joint FRL.
Circuit 1 (Cylinder C1):
The double-acting cylinder C1 is controlled by the single solenoid 5/2-way valve S1. As soon as the valve is
actuated, air flows into the Plus chamber of the cylinder via F1.1. The air flow is not restricted by F 1.1.
Simultaneously, air needs to exhaust from the Minus chamber of the cylinder via F1.2. This flow is restricted by
F1.2. Via the directional valve S1 (port 3), the air is finally exhausted. As soon as the electric actuation of the
directional valve S1 is taken away, the valve switches back to normal position. Air flows at full speed via F1.2 into
the Minus chamber of cylinder C1, while the air in the Plus chamber exits via F1.1 and S1, exhausting at port 5 of
S1. This flow is restricted by / adjusted at F1.1. The positive movement of the cylinder is regulated at F1.2, the
negative movement is restricted at F1.1. F1.1. and F1.2. can be screwed either into the cylinder or the valve, but
the correct version has to be selected either way!
The double-acting cylinder C2 is controlled by the single solenoid 5/2-way valve S2. The speed of the cylinder is
adjusted at flow control silencers F2.1 and F2.2. , which are screwed into the valve. For positive movement, the
directional valve S2 needs to be actuated. Air streams at full speed from port 1 to port 4 of the valve and into the
Plus chamber of cylinder C2. At the same time air needs to exhaust from the Minus chamber of the cylinder. The
air streams into port 2 of the valve S2. Its flow is restricted by F2.2 before leaving the valve S2 at port 3. For
negative movement, the valve switches back into standard position. The Minus chamber is supplied via port 2 of
valve S2. The exhaust from the Plus chamber is restricted by F2.1 in port 5 of the valve S2.
The double-acting cylinder C3 is controlled by the single solenoid 5/2-way valve S3. For an extremely quick
positive movement after actuating the valve, the Minus chamber is exhausted by the quick exhaust valve F3.2.;
the exhaust air does not pass the directional control valve S3. For negative movement, the valve S3 needs to
switch back into normal position. The exhaust air of the Plus chamber has to go through the one-way flow
regulator F3.1
Page 10
Chapter 8:
9. International Standards
The most common cylinders in pneumatics have been standardized, the target being maximum compatibility
between products of different manufacturers.
The most common cylinder standards are:
• ISO 15552 | VDMA 24562 | DIN ISO 6431 (old standard) | for profile and tie-rod cylinders.
Page 11
Chapter 8:
• DIN ISO 6432 | round cylinders
Page 12
Chapter 8:
• ISO 21287 | compact cylinders
Page 13
Chapter 8:
• UNITOP | compact cylinders
Page 14
Chapter 8:
The HAFNER ISO 15552 cylinders
The standard ISO 15552 is valid since 2004. The previous and very closely related standard was
ISO 6431 (1992 - 2004).
The standard defines piston diameters (ø32...ø320 mm), maximum pressure (10 bar), and distinct features and
dimensions, as well as standard accessories.
Thus any accessories are also mostly interchangeable.
The ISO 15552 cylinders in the HAFNER range have the type number DIL and DIP (for products with a run-
through piston rod: DBL and DBP)
DIL cylinder
The more economic solution since little material is used for the profile. Easy to clean.
Any sensors have to be assembled with special fixing elements.
DIP cylinder
Switches can go into the groove, easy assembly, no additional parts.
Since 2016 HAFNER have been offering another range of economically-priced profile cylinders
called “H-series”.
HIF cylinder
Switches can go
into one of the four
grooves of the
profile tube.
Page 15
Chapter 8:
Materials used in an ISO 15552 cylinder of the D-series:
# Description Material
1. Cylinder cap Aluminum, anodized
2. Fixing nut for piston Steel, nickel plated
3. O-Ring (seal between piston and piston rod ) NBR
4. Magnet Ferromagnetic material
5. Piston seal Polyurethane
6. Piston Techn. polymer (or aluminum)
7. Tube Aluminum, anodized
8. Guide Techn. polymer
9. O-Ring (seal for cushioning) NBR
10. Screw (for cushioning) Steel, nickel plated
11. Mobile seal (for cushioning) Polyurethane
12. Cylinder head Aluminum, anodized
13. Screws Steel, nickel plated
14. Seal for piston rod Polyurethane
15. Piston rod Chromed steel or stainless steel
16. O-Ring (seal between head and tube / cap and NBR
17. Covers PA
18. Bushing / bearing for piston rod Sintered bonze
19. Nut at piston rod Steel, nickel plated
Page 16
Chapter 8:
Due to high speeds, long strokes and high frequencies the seals can wear out faster than other parts. Therefore
we offer spare-part kits for the cylinders. The spare-part kits contain all potentially worn-out parts.
Repair kits for cylinders types DIL, DIP, DBL and DBP have the order code DIR.
Standard ISO 15552 also defines the dimensions of the fixed accessories. Therefore any accessories by
different manufacturers will be mostly compatible.
Page 17

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Chapter 8:

The pneumatic cylinder – part 2

2. Diameter and stroke

In this chapter we will cover:

7. Detection of cylinder position (magnetic)

There are two ways to reduce the shock:

• flexible shock absorbers

Flexible Shock Absorbers

Adjustable (pneumatic) Cushioning

8. port / air connection

7. Detection of cylinder position (magnetic)

The sensor is assembled onto the cylinder in the

Many cylinders have an outer profile

Sensor / switch … … assembled onto the tube

There are two different types of sensors / switches:

• Inductive, PNP switch

The magnet in the piston induces a magnetic

The shifting wires connect and close the

The switches have an LED that starts to glow

The REED switches have 2 wires, which can

Inductive, PNP switch

An LED displays the condition of the switch.

Advantages of the PNP switch in comparison to the REED switch:

• No movable parts inside

8. Speed control of cylinders

For the positive movement of a double-acting

Ideally, we control the speed of the cylinder by

To do this there are different products available for speed regulation:

• Uni-directional flow regulator – block form flow regulator

• Uni-directional flow regulator – function fitting to be assembled in the cylinder

• Uni-directional flow regulator – function fitting to be assembled in the valve

• Exhaust flow regulator – to be assembled into the valve

Uni-directional flow regulator = one-way flow control valve

Air flowing this way has to pass the throttle (flow

Air flowing the opposite direction can bypass the

During positive movement, air bypasses the flow

During negative movement, the air flows through

The speed of the positive movement has to be

Function fitting with one-way flow regulator for cylinder

Function fitting with one-way flow regulator for valve

One-way flow regulator with two push-in fittings

Block form flow regulator with two female ports

Sample circuits for cylinders with speed control

Circuit 1 (Cylinder C1):

Circuit 2 (Cylinder C2):

Circuit 3 (Cylinder C3):

The most common cylinder standards are:

• DIN ISO 6432 | round cylinders

• ISO 21287 | compact cylinders

• UNITOP | compact cylinders

The HAFNER ISO 15552 cylinders

ISO 6431 (1992 - 2004).

Thus any accessories are also mostly interchangeable.

Materials used in an ISO 15552 cylinder of the D-series:

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