Standard Air Cylinders
Standard Diaphragm Air Cylinders for Smooth Pneumatic Actuation
Bellofram Precision Controls offers standard diaphragm air cylinders designed to provide smooth, responsive linear force for industrial and OEM pneumatic applications. Unlike conventional piston-style air cylinders, Bellofram diaphragm cylinders use a flexible reinforced diaphragm to produce motion with virtually no sliding friction and without requiring cylinder lubrication.
Standard Bellofram air cylinders are available in single-acting spring-return and double-acting configurations across eight cylinder sizes. Multiple equivalent bore diameters and Series E and Series F stroke configurations allow engineers to match cylinder force, travel, and operating style to the requirements of the application.
These pneumatic diaphragm cylinders can provide linear force for applications such as lifting, clamping, pushing, turning, valve actuation, web tensioning, expansion chambers, shock absorption, and other industrial motion-control functions.
Why Choose Bellofram Standard Air Cylinders?
Low-Friction Diaphragm Operation: The flexible diaphragm design minimizes sliding friction, providing smooth pneumatic actuation for applications where controlled movement and sensitivity are important.
No Cylinder Lubrication Required: Bellofram standard diaphragm cylinders do not rely on conventional sliding piston seals and require no cylinder lubrication, helping simplify pneumatic system maintenance.
Single- and Double-Acting Options: Spring-return single-acting cylinders use pneumatic pressure for movement in one direction and a spring for return, while double-acting cylinders use air pressure to control movement in both directions.
Eight Standard Cylinder Sizes: Multiple equivalent bore diameters allow cylinder size and available force to be matched to the requirements of the equipment.
Multiple Stroke Options: Series E and Series F configurations provide different stroke lengths, allowing engineers to select the required amount of linear travel.
Durable Construction: Smaller standard cylinders use impact-extruded aluminum shells, while larger sizes use steel shells. Ground, polished, hard-chrome-plated steel rods and reinforced diaphragms support reliable industrial operation.
Single-Acting and Double-Acting Diaphragm Cylinders
Single-acting diaphragm air cylinders use compressed air to generate force in one direction and an internal spring to return the actuator when pneumatic pressure is removed. This configuration can simplify systems where a defined spring-return action is required.
Double-acting diaphragm air cylinders use pneumatic pressure to control movement in both directions. This provides powered extension and return for applications that require controlled force or motion throughout both directions of travel.
Standard Air Cylinder Applications
Bellofram standard diaphragm cylinders can be used in pneumatic systems requiring linear force for lifting, clamping, pushing, turning, valve actuation, web tensioning, expansion chambers, shock absorption, and other machine or process-control functions.
Find the Right Standard Diaphragm Air Cylinder
Selecting the right standard pneumatic air cylinder depends on required force, available air pressure, equivalent bore diameter, stroke length, single- or double-acting operation, mounting configuration, available installation space, and the movement requirements of the equipment.
Explore the Bellofram standard air cylinders above to compare single-acting and double-acting configurations, available sizes, and stroke options. Bellofram Precision Controls can also assist with selecting a diaphragm cylinder for specialized OEM and industrial applications.
Standard Air Cylinder FAQs
What is a diaphragm air cylinder?
A diaphragm air cylinder is a pneumatic actuator that uses compressed air acting against a flexible reinforced diaphragm to generate linear force and movement. The diaphragm design minimizes the sliding friction normally associated with piston-style pneumatic cylinders.
How is a diaphragm air cylinder different from a piston cylinder?
A conventional piston cylinder typically uses sliding seals between a piston and cylinder bore. A diaphragm cylinder uses a flexible diaphragm to transfer pneumatic pressure into linear force, eliminating much of the sliding friction associated with piston seals and allowing operation without cylinder lubrication.
Do Bellofram standard air cylinders require lubrication?
No. Bellofram standard diaphragm air cylinders do not require cylinder lubrication. Their diaphragm-based design provides pneumatic actuation without relying on lubricated sliding piston seals.
What is a single-acting diaphragm air cylinder?
A single-acting diaphragm air cylinder uses compressed air to produce movement and force in one direction. An internal spring returns the cylinder when pneumatic pressure is reduced or removed.
What is a double-acting diaphragm air cylinder?
A double-acting diaphragm air cylinder uses pneumatic pressure to control movement in both directions. This provides powered actuation during both extension and return rather than relying on a spring for the return stroke.
What is the difference between single-acting and double-acting air cylinders?
The primary difference is how the return movement is produced. A single-acting cylinder uses pneumatic pressure in one direction and a spring for return. A double-acting cylinder uses pneumatic pressure to control movement in both directions. The best configuration depends on the force, motion, and control requirements of the application.
What sizes are Bellofram standard air cylinders available in?
Bellofram standard diaphragm air cylinders are available in eight standard sizes with equivalent bore diameters ranging from approximately 2.3 inches through 6.8 inches. Available stroke options vary by cylinder size and single- or double-acting configuration.
What are Series E and Series F diaphragm cylinders?
Series E and Series F identify stroke configurations within the Bellofram standard diaphragm cylinder range. Depending on cylinder size and acting style, one or both stroke configurations may be available to provide different amounts of linear travel.
What applications use standard diaphragm air cylinders?
Standard diaphragm air cylinders can be used for lifting, clamping, pushing, turning, valve actuation, web tensioning, expansion chambers, shock absorption, and other industrial applications requiring controlled pneumatic linear force.
What is the maximum operating pressure for Bellofram standard air cylinders?
Bellofram standard single-acting and double-acting diaphragm cylinders are rated for plant-air pressures up to 145 psig (10 bar). The complete cylinder specifications and operating conditions should be reviewed before selecting a model for an application.
How do I choose the right diaphragm air cylinder?
Selection should consider required linear force, available air pressure, equivalent bore diameter, stroke length, single- or double-acting operation, mounting configuration, available space, operating conditions, and the required movement of the application.
