① single acting cylinder: only one end has a piston rod, and air supply from one side of the piston can generate air pressure. The air pressure pushes the piston to generate thrust and extend, and returns by spring or self weight.

② double acting cylinder: supply air alternately from both sides of the piston, and output force in one or two directions.

③ diaphragm type cylinder: replace the piston with diaphragm, output the force only in one direction, and reset with spring. Its sealing performance is good, but its stroke is short.

④ impact cylinder: This is a new type of element. It converts the pressure energy of the compressed gas into the kinetic energy of the piston moving at high speed (10-20 M / s), so as to do work.

⑤ rodless cylinder: the general name of cylinder without piston rod. There are two categories: magnetic cylinder and cable cylinder.

The cylinder for reciprocating swing is called swing cylinder. The inner cavity is divided into two parts by the blade, and the air is supplied alternately to the two cavities. The output shaft swings, and the swing angle is less than 280 °. In addition, there are rotary cylinder, gas-liquid damping cylinder and stepping cylinder.