Pneumatic Ram

For those that may not be aware or are unsure, a pneumatic ram or pneumatic cylinder uses the pressures of a gas to perform work. In particular linear work. Similar to hydraulic cylinders, there is something that forces a piston to move in the desired direction. People generally choose preference with the pneumatics ram due to the fact that they are quieter and cleaner to operate, nor do they require large quantities of fluid or space.

Pneumatic is a Greek word, and means air. Which is the most common type of gas used and the cheapest to use in pneumatic rams. As air can be easily taken in and then compressed to fill or refill the desired pneumatic devices. Also it does not pose as much of a risk or danger as other gas which can be used. Though we can use other inert gases, these devices will then need to be ordered and delivered precompressed in tanks, and they do have a much more limited use.

However there isn’t just one type of pneumatic cylinder. Though they will share some similarities, as in chamber for the compressed gas to enter, and also a path for it to leave, and like a hydraulic cylinder, the pneumatic ram also uses a piston which does most of the work.

With the different types of cylinders, the most basic of them is:

●     Single Acting Cylinder (SAC): these work only on one end of the piston, the single action cylinder is most commonly used in internal engines, such as car engines, where the device then relies on an element, whether they be springs or a foreign objects to push the piston in the desired direction, therefore creating the motion. However these single action cylinders can also be found in pumps and hydraulic rams, and can be used to help with heavy loads, such as lifting heavy materials. Though these cylinders can be modified with a compressed spring mechanism, this device would be inserted between the end of the cylinder and the end of the piston, where the compressed air would enter from. The actual movement of the piston works the same, the difference is when the compressed air is released, the piston is then forced back to the original position due to the force given by the inserted spring.

●     Double Acting Cylinders (DAC): use the force of air to move the piston either back or forth. Though this system does require the use of more compressed air than other systems, like the single acting cylinder. The two movements of the piston that the compressed air causes is called outstroke (for when the piston is forced from its original position) and the instroke (which is when the piston is returned to the starting position). Double acting cylinders can be more commonly found in machinery where they require an external engine, like steam engines. This is largely due to the fact that the double acting cylinders produce force from both ends of the piston.