Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators - Numatics
Pneumatic cylinders and actuators are used in a variety of industrial applications. Pneumatic cylinders and actuators use compressed air to create a force in a linear or rotary motion. Pneumatic cylinders come in ...
Rotary actuators turn air or electric power into rotation for turning, indexing, flipping and operating valves. They're common in automation for rotating parts, opening gates and positioning tools.
Rotary Actuator Types
- Rack and pinion – precise angles and high torque
- Vane actuators – compact and lightweight
- Rotary tables – handle offset loads
- Electric rotary actuators – programmable positions
Choosing an Actuator
Calculate torque from load and inertia, select rotation angle and consider cushioning for smooth stops. Position sensors confirm end points.
Centro supplies rotary actuators for automation and valve control.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Linear Cylinders | Pneumatic Cylinder | Clamps | Electric Linear Actuator
Guided cylinders combine a pneumatic cylinder with integrated guide rods, resisting side loads and rotation. They're ideal for lifting, pushing and stopping where precision matters.
Features
- Integrated guides – handle side and moment loads
- Anti-rotation – precise tool orientation
- Ball and plain bearings – accuracy or durability
- Compact design – replace cylinder plus external guides
Choosing a Cylinder
Select by load, stroke, moments and accuracy. Position sensors confirm movement.
Centro supplies guided cylinders for automation.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Round Body Cylinders | Compact and Short Stroke | High Force Actuators | Air Bellows
Swing clamps are pneumatic or hydraulic clamps widely used in various industrial applications for secure and efficient workpiece clamping. These clamps are designed with a swinging arm mechanism that allows them to rotate or swing into position for clamping and release. Swing clamps offer versatility in their operation as they can be mounted in different orientations, such as vertically, horizontally, or at an angle, to accommodate diverse workpiece configurations. They provide a solid clamping force, enabling reliable holding and stability during machining, assembly, or welding. Swing clamps are particularly favored for their fast and precise clamping action, which reduces cycle times and enhances productivity. They are commonly utilized in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, machining centers, and assembly lines, where quick and efficient clamping is required. With their flexibility, robust construction, and reliable performance, swing clamps are crucial in improving workpiece handling, productivity, and overall operational efficiency in industrial settings.
Related categories: Clamps | Clamping Elements | Power Clamps
Seals and repair kits are indispensable for various mechanical systems and equipment maintenance and repair operations. Seals, which come in a wide range of materials and designs, are critical for preventing leaks and maintaining the integrity of hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems. These seals effectively block the escape of fluids, such as oil or gas, and play a vital role in ensuring system efficiency and longevity. Repair kits are curated collections of replacement parts, including seals, gaskets, O-rings, and other essential components. They are designed to simplify the repair and maintenance process by providing all the necessary parts in one package, facilitating quick and cost-effective fixes. Whether it's a hydraulic system in heavy machinery or a simple household appliance, seals and repair kits are crucial for ensuring the reliability and longevity of mechanical systems by preventing leaks and facilitating efficient repairs.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Rodless Cylinders | NFPA Cylinders | Air Bellows | Clamps
Pneumatic slides are essential mechanical components used in various industrial and automation applications. These devices harness compressed air to facilitate controlled linear motion, allowing objects or tools to rapidly move back and forth. Pneumatic slides are designed to be versatile and adaptable, making them suitable for tasks such as material handling, assembly, and positioning in manufacturing and automation processes. They are often equipped with features like adjustable stroke length, speed control, and robust construction to withstand demanding operating conditions. Pneumatic slides contribute to increased efficiency, repeatability, and accuracy in various industries, making them valuable for achieving streamlined and reliable mechanical motion in automated systems.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Cylinder Accessories | Mounting | Specialty Cylinders | High Force Actuators
Air bellows are rubber actuators that expand under air pressure to lift, press, clamp or isolate vibration. They have no seals or rods, so they're nearly maintenance-free and tolerate misalignment.
Features
- High force in compact height – lifting and pressing
- No internal parts – low maintenance
- Tolerate side loads – flexible mounting
- Vibration isolation – protect equipment
- Single, double and triple convolution – stroke options
Choosing Air Bellows
Select by force, stroke and available height. Use mechanical stops to limit travel.
Centro supplies air bellows for actuation and isolation.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Compact and Short Stroke | Rodless Cylinders | Guided Cylinders | Seal and Repair Kits
Cylinder and actuator mounts attach pneumatic cylinders securely to machines in the right orientation. The right mount prevents side loading and extends cylinder life.
Mount Types
- Clevis and pivot mounts – allow angular movement
- Foot and flange mounts – fixed mounting
- Trunnion mounts – pivot at cylinder center
- Rod clevises and eyes – connect to loads
- Alignment couplers – compensate misalignment
Choosing Mounts
Match mounts to cylinder standard (ISO, NFPA) and bore size. Use pivot mounts where the load moves in an arc.
Centro supplies cylinder mounts and accessories.
Related categories: Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators | Pneumatic Slides | High Force Actuators | Cylinder Accessories | Round Body Cylinders
Pneumatic directional control valves are pivotal components within pneumatic systems, responsible for determining the path of compressed air flow and subsequently controlling the movement of actuators. These valves govern the direction in which air travels, enabling the activation and deactivation of pneumatic cylinders or other actuators that perform mechanical tasks. With the ability to switch between multiple ports, pneumatic directional control valves facilitate intricate automation processes, allowing machinery to execute precise movements and sequences. Whether in manufacturing lines, robotics, or other industrial settings, these valves are indispensable for achieving efficient and accurate motion control, contributing to enhanced productivity and streamlined operations.
Shop by type: Manifold Assembly Kit | Regulators | Directional Control Valves | Solenoid Coils | Special Purpose Valves | ISO Valves | Ceram Valves | Valves Parts and Kits
Related categories: Pneumatic and Electronic Controls | HMIs | Electric Power Tools | Pneumatic Check Valves | Pneumatic Accessories
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$1,496.87
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$1,311.55
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$2,072.96
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Subject to factory lead times
$1,460.23
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$2,022.77
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$2,046.61
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$1,410.18
Subject to factory lead times
$1,639.96
Subject to factory lead times
$1,551.60
Subject to factory lead times
$1,650.38
Subject to factory lead times
$2,011.39
Subject to factory lead times
$1,831.13
Subject to factory lead times
$2,151.31
Subject to factory lead times
$2,151.31
Subject to factory lead times
$2,614.80
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$2,512.84
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$1,652.57
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- Pneumatic actuators are simple, lightweight, and deliver high force relative to their size. They tolerate harsh environments, require no heat management, and are inherently safe in explosive atmospheres. Their limitations are lack of precise positioning, air compressor dependency, and energy inefficiency — compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in a plant to generate. Electric actuators offer precise, programmable positioning, easy integration with control systems, and better energy efficiency. They are better suited for variable speed, multi-position, and data-driven applications. Their drawbacks are higher upfront cost, heat generation in continuous duty, and reduced suitability for wet or hazardous environments without special enclosures. As a rule: pneumatic for simple, fast, high-force end-to-end motion; electric for precision, programmability, and variable positioning.
- Pneumatic actuators convert compressed air energy into mechanical motion. In a linear actuator, compressed air enters one side of a cylinder, pressurizing the piston face and generating a force equal to pressure multiplied by piston area. That force pushes the piston and rod along the cylinder bore. In a double-acting cylinder, air alternately pressurizes each side to drive both extension and retraction. In a single-acting cylinder, air drives one direction and a spring or gravity returns the piston. Rotary pneumatic actuators — rack-and-pinion or vane types — convert air pressure into torque to open valves or rotate components. Speed is controlled by metering the airflow in or out of the cylinder with flow control valves.
- Several designs address tight installation envelopes. Compact or short-stroke cylinders reduce overall length by shortening the body profile while maintaining full bore force. Pancake cylinders have an extremely short body-to-stroke ratio and mount flat against surfaces — ideal when stroke requirements are minimal. Rodless cylinders eliminate the extending rod entirely, keeping the total installation length equal to stroke plus body length rather than double that of a rod cylinder. Guided compact units combine a cylinder and linear guide in a single body, removing the need for a separate guide rail. Rotary actuators replace linear motion entirely where a pivot or rotation serves the same function, often fitting in far less space than an equivalent linear device.
- For heavy lifting, the actuator type depends on whether the motion is linear or rotary and whether pneumatic or hydraulic power is available. Large-bore pneumatic cylinders generate substantial force — a 4-inch bore cylinder at 100 psi produces over 1,200 lbf — and are practical for moderate heavy-duty applications. For very high forces, hydraulic cylinders are the superior choice, operating at pressures of 1,500 to 5,000 psi and generating forces that compressed air cannot match in an equivalent cylinder size. For electric heavy lifting, high-force servo electric actuators with ballscrew or roller screw drives handle loads from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds with precise control. Regardless of type, always factor in load eccentricity, duty cycle, and mounting configuration — off-axis loading and continuous cycling degrade any actuator far faster than rated static force figures suggest.
- The primary advantage of a rodless cylinder is space efficiency — the actuator's total installed length equals the stroke plus body length, rather than the stroke plus body length plus rod extension of a conventional cylinder. This makes them ideal for long-stroke applications in confined spaces. They also inherently resist side loading because the carriage rides along the cylinder body, distributing loads more evenly than a cantilevered rod. The main disadvantages are lower maximum operating pressure compared to rod cylinders, greater sensitivity to contamination along the external slot or band that transmits force, and higher cost and complexity. The internal sealing band or magnetic coupling that transfers force through the cylinder wall is the most maintenance-sensitive component and requires a clean operating environment to achieve full service life.
- Pneumatic actuators have fewer components but depend heavily on air quality. The most common failure points are seal wear from contaminated or unlubricated air, and corrosion from moisture in the supply. A disciplined filter-regulator-lubricator maintenance program — inspecting and draining moisture separators, replacing filter elements, and maintaining lubricator oil levels — prevents the majority of pneumatic failures. Seals and cushioning pads are the primary wear items requiring periodic replacement. Electric actuators require less routine consumable maintenance but have more complex failure modes — motor windings, encoder feedback devices, drive electronics, and mechanical drivetrain components (ballscrews, gearboxes, couplings) all require attention. Ballscrew lubrication and periodic backlash checks are the most common maintenance tasks. Electric actuator failures tend to be less predictable and more expensive to repair than worn pneumatic seals, making condition monitoring and scheduled inspection more important.
- Guided linear actuators integrate a drive cylinder with a precision linear guide to handle side loads and moment loads that a plain rod cylinder cannot resist. Twin-rod guided cylinders use two parallel rods through the end caps to prevent rotation and resist transverse loading — simple, robust, and widely used for pick-and-place and pressing applications. Slide-type guided units mount the carriage on profiled rail bearings for higher load capacity and rigidity, suitable for heavier tooling and multi-axis gantry systems. Compact guided cylinders combine the guide and drive in a low-profile square body, prioritizing space efficiency over maximum load rating. Rodless guided actuators use a magnetically or mechanically coupled external carriage on a rail, offering long stroke in minimal floor space. Electric linear actuators with integrated rail guides provide all of the above with programmable positioning and force control for the most demanding precision automation tasks.