Sensor Technologies to Detect Pneumatic Cylinder Position

Sensor Technologies to Detect Pneumatic Cylinder Position

In the field of automation, a very popular choice for prime mover duties is the pneumatic cylinder. Pneumatic cylinders carry many advantages in terms of relatively low first cost, application simplicity, and durability. To integrate a pneumatic cylinder into an automated system, it is necessary to supply electrical signals to the controller indicating the position status of the cylinders. Toward that end, pneumatic cylinder manufacturers, machine builders, and end users have developed a number of ways to detect extension or retraction of a pneumatic cylinder and provide an electrical signal to the control system.