Double-acting cylinder | Pneumatic components

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Symbol

What it does

Air into the back port: the piston rod moves out. This is the outstroke.

Air into the front port: the rod moves back in. This is the instroke.

Air pushes both ways. A 5/2 valve usually controls it.

Double-acting cylinder, as it is on the kit — On the kit

Key words

Double-acting: Air pushes the piston both ways.
Piston: The disc that air pushes along the cylinder.
Outstroke: The piston rod moves out.
Instroke: The piston rod moves back in.

Print the A3 poster (PDF)

Sources & credits: Symbols drawn to ISO 1219, as used in N5 Engineering Science. Kit drawings by R Stewart, from the Matrix CP2080 kit. Full site credits are on the credits page. R Stewart - October 2026