Cylinders & Actuators

AutomationDirect has added Metal Work 12 mm dual guide rod cylinders to its guided actuator lineup for packaging, material handling and industrial automation applications. Available with stroke lengths from 10 mm to 250 mm, the double-acting cylinders include dual guide rods for stability, a magnetic piston for position sensing and integrated sensor slots for switch […]

An actuator is any device that converts one form of energy into physical, linear force. From a fundamental definition of the word, one could assert that motors are also actuators, but from a practical perspective, the machine world agrees on the linear definition. The primary source of energy can be pressurized air or liquid, electricity,…

Some inventions are just so damn good that no matter how much AI and data centers you throw at bettering them, modern technology simply cannot replace the simple, legacy equipment we enjoy today. There will be no better method to close your pants than a zipper, nothing superior to an umbrella for a sudden shower,…

The Stabilus Group provides motion control solutions used in a range of applications and industries. Its product portfolio includes gas springs, dampers, electromechanical actuators and grippers for automation. The Group consists of six brands that support applications ranging from standard production items to limited-run and custom components. Gas springs for different applications and order volumes…

It’s not often that you hear the words hydraulics and Erin Brockovich together in the same conversation, but that’s exactly how Mehdi Kargar, PhD, CEO of Maxterial, educated me on how his technology came into being. Hexavalent Chrome, the chemical that was causing cancer and killing people in the Southern California town that inspired the…

ITT Inc.’s Enidine and Compact Automation brands will present a range of motion control products for automation applications at Automate 2026, taking place June 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Visitors to Booth #4209 will be able to review actuation, cylinder, shock absorption and vibration isolation products intended for industrial systems. “We are excited to…

CFI leads multiple fluid power companies to modernize the hydraulic system responsible for raising and lowering the walls of the Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) telescope dome on Maui. By Bill Perry Imagine taking on an engineering project tied to national security on an island 4,000 miles away. The job site is situated along the crest…

Bailey International has launched its Hydro Custom WC Series cylinder. This next-generation welded cylinder line is designed to combine the rugged durability of a welded cylinder with the serviceability and flexibility of a traditional tie-rod, providing a high-performance solution for agricultural and light construction equipment manufacturers. The Hydro Custom WC Series is designed to outperform […]

Bailey International has said that CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2026 will serve as the launchpad for its newest product innovations. Attendees are invited to visit booth S84212 to experience an interactive display of integrated technologies designed specifically for the construction, mining, and work truck industries. At the forefront of this year’s showing is the debut of a proprietary […]

Sharon Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries and a manufacturer of precision mechanical tubing, will showcase its drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) and electric resistance welded (ERW) tubing at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, March 3-7 in Las Vegas. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a trade show attended by Sharon Tube customers in construction, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and fluid power. At this year’s show, […]

Festo’s AI-enabled monitoring and predictive maintenance system AX Motion Insights Pneumatic is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for preventing unscheduled machine downtime by monitoring pneumatic cylinders for wear and anomalies. This AI-based industrial app ensures operations are more reliable, efficient, and ultimately more profitable. The system uses AI to detect anomalies in the behavior of pneumatic […]

Pneumatic cylinders are highly varied in their construction and execution, making them difficult to select when you don’t understand your requirements. I won’t pretend that application isn’t the most important deciding factor, but the same can be said of any fluid power actuator. This guide provides all the information you need to select the pneumatic […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Perhaps more than anything else, cylinders define fluid power and its advantage over other technologies. Whether discussing rapid air cylinders or powerful hydraulic versions, these linear force devices offer unmatched performance in countless configurations. With so many forms, it can be daunting to select the right medium, size, mount and…

Sunnen Products Company, a manufacturer of honing, bore sizing and engine rebuilding equipment, will showcase its entry-level HTA Tube Hone machine at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, March 3–7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company will be at booth S83253, highlighting updates in tube honing for hydraulic cylinder repair and related applications. With more than 375 […]

Alkon Corporation announced that its Allenair brand now offers customizable stainless steel cylinder solutions for hygienic and industrial applications. While many stainless steel cylinders are standardized imports, Allenair offers customizable designs manufactured in Fremont, OH. These flexible options support OEMs and end-users with reliability, compliance, and shorter lead times. “Our customers don’t want off-the-shelf compromises—they…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are some crazy ways a hydraulic cylinder can fail, and I’ve had the opportunity to see many. There was the barrel that split open like the cut above a cage fighter’s eye, or the rod that was folded like a cotter pin when the machine ran into an immovable…

Rod locks are crucial safety devices for hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders — they are designed to automatically clamp a cylinder to hold a load safely in case of power loss. They are designed to hold loads of hundreds up to millions of pounds. Advanced Machine & Engineering Co. (AME) manufactures both pneumatic and hydraulic rod…

Pneumatic cylinders use compressed air to produce linear motion. They consist of a cylindrical chamber, a piston, and a rod, and convert energy from compressed air into mechanical force. When compressed air is introduced into the cylinder, it pushes the piston, which in turn moves the rod in a linear direction. The force and speed…

Without the power of hydraulics or the snappy precision of pneumatics, much of the fun in theater and amusements parks wouldn’t be possible. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are few industries entirely devoid of fluid power actuation, but some could have never existed without it. Even if some other technologies, such as mechanical transmission,…

Regal Rexnord’s linear motion solutions brand, Thomson, has introduced key enhancements to its H-Track electrohydraulic actuator, making it more resilient in harsh and high-moisture environments. The latest version features marine-grade 316 stainless steel components for improved corrosion resistance and a sealed motor housing that enables underwater operation, expanding its suitability across marine, agricultural, industrial, and […]

Contributed by Robert Sheaf, Founder of CFC Industrial Training I was asked to travel to California to troubleshoot a problem with a hydraulic system. This system stroked a cylinder which pushed product into a furnace. The main directional valve was changed due to a porosity hole that started leaking oil only when the valve was…

Contributed by Hallie Riley & Victoria Lower  • IC Fluid Power When you step onto the floor of an industrial plant, the vast scale and constant hum of activity are undeniable. Massive hydraulic presses and intricate pipework stretch across the floor with the kind of freedom this scale allows. Space is abundant and equipment can […]

At bauma in April, Combilift, an Irish material handling equipment manufacturer, unveiled its newest innovation — a self-propelled inloader called the COMBi-SPI. This launch marks a significant milestone in the transport of high loads, such as precast concrete, wall panels or glass A-frames, within production facilities and yard environments. The COMBi-SPI is an efficient, maneuverable […]

Contributed by Robert Sheaf  •  Founder of CFC Industrial Training I was recently called by a customer who attended one of our advanced hydraulic training sessions. He was having a problem with an old rolling mill. The servo-controlled cylinder was oscillating that held position on one of the rolls. This cylinder helped maintain the thickness…