Mounting Options for Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

There are many different choices for pneumatic cylinders, and each has its own effective working conditions. Although the goal of pneumatic cylinders are similar, different styles of cylinders operates and are used in varying ways. For instance, compact cylinders, because of their size, need to be mounted and installed in a particular way for effective functioning.

A compact pneumatic cylinder provides consistent and effective motion with only a small footprint. It utilizes a low profile and short stroke application that is designed to fit into tight and narrow spaces. To make these devices widely available, they come in a variety of mounting options.

To determine mounting style, a designer first needs to consider the available space and the primary function of the cylinder. If you have questions at all, it is important to work with manufacturers directly to optimize a standard mount or create a custom setup. Below, we want to highlight some of the installation options for widely used compact pneumatic cylinders.

Before determining a mounting style, a designer first needs to understand the primary function of the cylinder and the amount of space available for mounting. Does motion turn the crank arm or does it work linearly? Any type of linear motion, which includes pulling, lifting, and pushing, requires a rigid mount. Acceptable options are bolting a cylinder by its tapped holes on the bottom. The other option is to stand it on its end and run bolts through the sleeve mount into the endcap.

Flexible mounts are ideal for cylinders that need to pivot and for motion that turns a crank arm. For instance, an eye mount allows a cylinder to move in an arc while also restricting lateral motion. It is also important to consider where the pneumatic cylinder will be supported, whether that is at a pivot point, at a foot mount, or down the centerline.

Related Reading

• Considerations for Pneumatic Valves
• Three Reasons to Consider Pneumatic Valves
• Why do so Many Use Pneumatic Control Systems?​