Introduction to Industrial Automation

5.5.2   Double-Acting  Cylinders

In the case of the double-acting cylinders, the pressurized air is inserted from both inlets of the 

cylinder and thus the piston has the ability to move in both directions, with the mechanical work 

produced in both directions of the movement. This type of a cylinder is mainly utilized in applica-

tions where it is necessary for the piston to perform a controllable task during extension or retrac-

tion, and has the ability to apply a force at the same time. The rod for double-acting cylinders can 

be significantly longer than those of single-acting cylinders. In Figure 5.5, the longitudinal section 

of a double-acting cylinder is presented, where except from the general structure, the two positions 

Piston

Piston rod

Return spring

Piston seal

Inlet port

Rod wiper

seal

Cylinder housing

Base cap

Head cap