Air Rams: Single Acting vs Double Acting Pneumatic or Hydraulic Cylinders
If you need power from compressed air pressure to be used for industrial machinery, pneumatic cylinders or air rams can deliver the big punch. On the other hand, if you need power for heavy machinery such as heavy lifters, movers, bulldozers, dump trucks, and the like, hydraulic cylinders are the standard mobile applications.
Both pneumatic cylinders and hydraulic cylinders are either in single acting or double acting form.
Single Acting Cylinders
Single acting cylinders, whether pneumatic or hydraulic, only extends the pressure from a pump and then retracts it using a built-in spring. You can tell a single acting cylinder because it will only have one port (hence, “single” acting) for the connection of a hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic hose fitting.
Advantages:
- Its simple design is easy to install.
- Its purchase price is low cost or at least affordable.
- A single port means it has a small housing.
- It reduces valve and piping cost compared to double acting cylinders.
Although being less costly, single acting cylinders carry more disadvantages than their double acting counterparts:
- Compressed air pressure requires more complicated preparation.
- The spring can take up too much space and limits the working area.
- There is reduced thrust due to the opposing spring force.
- When the spring is under prolonged usage, the piston strokes can become inconsistent.
Double Acting Cylinders
Double acting cylinders need hydraulic power to both extend and retract pressure from a pump. It also has two ports (hence, “double” acting), one port is for the advanced or extended hydraulic hose fitting, and the other port is for the retracted hydraulic hose fitting.
Advantages:
- There is more control over movement since pressurised air or fluids move both ways.
- Power provided is faster and stronger, but uses less energy.
- It offers more design variation in terms of stroke and bore sizes.
- Many double acting pneumatic cylinders are ISO compliant, as opposed to single acting cylinders.
The two main disadvantages of double acting cylinders are their high cost and requirement for a larger housing, especially if the feed cylinder needs to be coupled with another machine system.
Master Mac 2000
Master Mac 2000 P/L was established in 1989 and has grown to become one of Australia’s largest privately-owned process valves, air rams, and pneumatic component distributors. This also includes the distribution of quality local and international brands such as Mack, Univer, Piab, Tolomatic, and Bimba. Contact Master Mac 2000 for more information as they are sure to have the stocks and solutions you need at their Brisbane office and warehouse. You can call them at 07 3344 4711 or visit their website at https://mastermac2000.com.au/.
About MasterMac2000: Your Trusted Pneumatic & Process Automation Partner.
LEADING THE INDUSTRY: Established in 1989, MasterMac2000 has grown to become one of Australia's largest privately owned pneumatic and process automation companies. We stock top-quality brands like Univer, Mack, Tolomatic, Mac, Piab, American, and Rotoflux in Brisbane.
SERVING QLD & NORTHERN NSW: We proudly service Queensland and Northern New South Wales for all your pneumatic and process equipment needs. Our mission is to provide the best pre and post-sales support while actively expanding our client base.
SOURCING HARD-TO-FIND PARTS: Not only do we stock quality components, but we also excel at sourcing those elusive, hard-to-find parts. With our extensive database and global network of contacts, getting the parts you require is as easy as a call to our highly skilled, professional sales team.
DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS:
- Decades of expertise in pneumatics & process automation
- Carefully curated selection of world-class brands
- Exceptional sourcing capabilities for speciality parts
- Knowledgeable sales staff dedicated to finding solutions
- Unwavering commitment to customer service excellence
About The Author
Stuart Havill
Stuart Havill is the owner and manager of MasterMac2000, Queensland's largest privately owned pneumatic and process valve company.
With his early working career as a maintenance fitter for Boral in 1992, Stuart has spent his life in the field of pneumatics and process equipment. He gained extensive experience in plant design, maintenance, repairs, fabrication, and site management.
In 1996, he transitioned to a pneumatic sales technician role at MasterMac2000, where he excelled in key account management, providing cost-effective solutions, and managing a sales team of 9 employees.
Since 2002, Stuart has been the manager at MasterMac2000, overseeing the company's growth and establishing it as a leader in pneumatic automation and process valve engineering. His expertise spans customer training, CRM setup, industrial compressor sizing and installation, and turn-key project management.
Under Stuart's leadership, MasterMac2000 has been servicing the industry since 1988, with 5 full-time sales representatives covering northern rivers NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, and PNG. The company prides itself on providing the best-priced solutions to all customers in the marketplace.
View Stuart’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about his expertise in pneumatics and process equipment.