Comparing standard and low-profile cylinders: Which is better for your automation application?

In the field of industrial automation, cylinders are one of the most common and widely used actuators. According to their structure and characteristics, cylinders can be divided into two types: standard cylinders and thin cylinders. This article will compare these two cylinders and describe their differences.

Structure and dimensions:

Standard Cylinder: Standard cylinders usually have a cylindrical shape and have larger external dimensions. Their relatively large diameter and length make them suitable for applications requiring larger forces and strokes.
Thin cylinder: Thin cylinder generally adopts a flat rectangular or semi-cylindrical shape with smaller external dimensions. Its relatively small thickness makes it suitable for applications with limited space.

Force and travel:

Standard Cylinder: Standard cylinders typically have larger piston areas and are capable of delivering greater force. At the same time, the standard cylinder also has a longer stroke range, which can meet the needs of larger displacements.
Thin cylinder: Due to size restrictions, the piston area of a thin cylinder is relatively small and provides smaller force. However, low-profile cylinders are suitable for short-stroke applications and can meet motion requirements in compact spaces.

Installation and scope of application:

Standard Cylinders: Standard cylinders often require mounting using brackets or mounting accessories due to their relatively large size and weight. Standard cylinders are suitable for many different applications such as machining, fluid transfer, etc.
Low Profile Cylinder: Due to its compact design, the low profile cylinder can be easily installed in compact spaces without the need for additional brackets. Thin cylinders are often used in automobile manufacturing, electronic equipment and other fields, and are suitable for applications with high space requirements.

Cost and price:

Standard Cylinders: Due to their larger size and more complex construction, standard cylinders are generally more expensive than low-profile cylinders. The additional cost of a standard cylinder needs to be taken into account in terms of purchase and maintenance costs.
Thin cylinders: Thin cylinders are usually relatively inexpensive due to their smaller size and simplified structure. Low-profile cylinders can be an affordable option when you're on a budget.

There are obvious differences between standard cylinders and thin cylinders in terms of structure, size, force, stroke, installation and application range, and cost. Depending on the specific application needs and space constraints, selecting the appropriate cylinder type will better meet the requirements of the automation system.