Single-acting cylinder

Pneumatic components

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Symbol

Single-acting cylinder symbol with its parts named

What it does

Air in: air pushes the piston. The piston rod moves out. This is the outstroke.

Air out: the spring pushes the piston back. This is the instroke.

On the kit
Single-acting cylinder, as it is on the kit

Key words

Single-acting
Air pushes the piston one way only.
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