Find your fit for Motion: A Guide to Pneumatic Solutions

When motion is the challenge, MCE has the solution to move you. Motion solutions come in three major categories: hydraulic, electromechanical, and pneumatic. Learn the difference between the three solutions to discover the right fit for your applications.

Parker Pneumatic Cylinder

Pneumatic Benefits, Applications, and Utility

Speed—Generally faster than hydraulic systems due to the compressibility of air, enabling quick response times in applications that require rapid motion changes

Safety—Inherently safer compared to hydraulic systems because they use air rather than hydraulic fluid, and therefore less likely to cause environmental contamination or pose fire or explosion hazards

Cleanliness—Do not require hydraulic fluids, reducing the risk of leaks and contamination in clean environments

Simplicity—Relatively simple in design and easy to install, making them suitable for applications where complexity needs to be minimized

Limitations of Pneumatics

Limited Power—2 tons of force is the upper limit for pneumatic solutions, making them less suitable for heavy-duty applications

Less Precision—Higher levels of variability and less precision compared to electromechanical systems, which might limit their suitability for precise positioning tasks

Air Compression—The compression and expansion of air can lead to energy losses and inefficiencies

Temperature Sensitivity—Can be affected by temperature changes, which might cause variations in performance

Noise—Noisy due to the rapid release of compressed air during operation

Pneumatic Couplers