Pneumatic Cylinder Mounting Styles

The cylinder mounting controls how the actuator connects to the machine and how forces are transferred into the surrounding structure.

An unsuitable mounting arrangement can cause misalignment, side loading, seal wear, damaged bearings or premature piston rod failure.

Fixed cylinder mountings

Fixed mountings hold the cylinder body in one position. They are suitable where the piston rod moves in a straight line and the machine mechanism remains accurately aligned.

Foot mounting

Foot mounts support the cylinder from below and bolt to the machine frame. They are common on profile and tie-rod cylinders.

Accurate alignment between the cylinder and the moving load is important because the foot mounting does not allow the cylinder to pivot freely.

Front flange mounting

A front flange secures the cylinder around the piston rod end. It can provide a rigid installation where the working force is transferred close to the front of the cylinder.

Rear flange mounting

A rear flange secures the cylinder at the opposite end. This arrangement can be useful where the cylinder extends away from a machine plate or frame.

Threaded nose mounting

Some roundline and miniature cylinders are mounted using a threaded nose at the front of the body. The cylinder passes through a machine plate and is secured with a nut.

Pivoting cylinder mountings

Pivot mountings allow the cylinder body to change angle as the machine mechanism moves.

Rear clevis mounting

A rear clevis connects the cylinder to a pin and allows movement around one axis. It is often used with a fork or rod-eye attachment on the piston rod.

Front or rear trunnion mounting

Trunnion mounts provide pivot points on the cylinder body. Depending on the design, the trunnion may be located near the front, centre or rear of the cylinder.

Spherical bearing mounting

A spherical bearing can accommodate a degree of angular movement and minor alignment variation. It does not remove the need for a properly designed mechanism.

Piston rod-end attachments

The piston rod can connect to the moving mechanism using:

• Fork or clevis ends
• Rod eyes
• Spherical rod eyes
• Flexible couplings
• Threaded adaptors
• Direct threaded connections

Browse pneumatic cylinder accessories and mountings.

Fixed or pivoting mounting?

Use a fixed mounting where the movement remains accurately linear and the machine guides the load correctly.

Use a pivoting mounting where the cylinder must follow an arc or changing angle during the movement.

Avoiding side load

A conventional piston rod should not normally be used as the primary guide for a heavy or offset load.

Where the load creates side force, rotation or a bending moment, use external machine guides or consider a guided pneumatic cylinder.

Replacing an existing mounting

Confirm the mounting reference, bore size, cylinder series, pin diameter, hole centres and installed dimensions. Accessories that appear similar are not necessarily interchangeable between manufacturers.

For complete cylinder replacement guidance, read the pneumatic cylinder replacement guide.