Pneumatic guided cylinders are mechanical devices that are used to move heavy objects attached laterally to factory equipment. The ball bearing guides help to absorb lateral forces, as heavy objects are moved sideways. The cylinders have guide blocks that ensure the forces exerted by the side loads are evenly distributed. Some guided cylinders have cushioning plates which can reduce the noise during operation, help to increase the life of the device and are available with a single or double rod.

Double-acting pneumatic cylinders are used where the output force or thrust is needed in both retracting and extending directions and is in excess of those available from a single pneumatic cylinder.

RS offer a wide range of pneumatic equipment including pneumatic guided cylinders with double-acting drives and bore sizes ranging from 4 mm to 100 mm. These pneumatic cylinders have various pressures including 8 bar and 10 bar up to 1MPa and stroke lengths from 5 mm to 300 mm.

What are pneumatic guided cylinders used for?

These pneumatic cylinders act as a guided aid to keep loads balanced during motion, so they don't fall off the equipment that carries them. They are often found in conveyor systems where side loads move upwards and downwards on conveyor belts.

Types of pneumatic guided cylinders

Multi-mount cylinders can be attached to one another in a modular fashion to give greater carrying capacity.

Dual-rod cylinders are used to prevent rod bending, piston bending or seal deterioration because their two-rod construction provides more durability and weight is distributed evenly across the cylinders.

Slide cylinders have non-rotating platforms which make them rigid so that they cannot move. This means that they offer solid support when very heavy objects are slid onto the carriages.

Double-acting cylinders or single acting cylinders dependant on the output force required.

A compact cylinder is a great consideration where space is limited.