Throttle Valves and Setting Cylinder Speed
You set the speed of a pneumatic cylinder with flow control valves, not with the supply pressure. What matters is whether you throttle the incoming or the outgoing air: meter-out runs smooth and steady, meter-in tends to stick and jerk. This guide shows how to match stroke, cushioning and flow cleanly so the motion stays controlled.
View flow control valvesWhy throttle the exhaust and not the pressure?
A flow control valve lets air pass freely in one direction and throttles it through an adjustable orifice in the other. Set it so the exhausting air is throttled: the cylinder then builds an air cushion on the outlet side and moves steadily against that back pressure. If you throttle the incoming air instead, the piston side fills slowly, the piston lurches and stalls - especially under light load.
How do I set speed and cushioning step by step?
Set the valves slowly and at working pressure. Turn the throttle almost closed first, then open it in small steps until the motion is clean and fast enough. Both stroke directions are set separately because the piston and rod sides have different areas.
- Set the working pressure (typically 6 bar) and only then throttle.
- Close the throttle almost fully, then open slowly to the wanted speed.
- Adjust extend and retract separately - the rod side has less area.
- Fine-tune the cylinder end-position cushioning until the stop is soft.
- Tighten the throttle lock nut so the setting does not drift.
Which common problems occur and how do I fix them?
Jerky motion, uneven speed in the two directions or a hard impact are usually solved through throttle direction, cushioning and valve size. An undersized valve limits the flow and makes fast cycles impossible.
Check port and nominal size of the valve, choose larger if needed.
View nominal sizesFrequently asked questions
Should I throttle the supply or the exhaust air?
On double-acting cylinders always the exhaust. That builds a back cushion so the piston runs smooth and load-independent. Meter-in throttling causes jerky motion and is used only on single-acting cylinders.
Why does my cylinder jerk when extending?
Usually the supply air is throttled or the air cushion is missing. Reconfigure the flow control valve so the exhaust is throttled and check the arrow direction on the valve.
Can I control the speed through the pressure?
No. A lower pressure mainly reduces force, not the speed in a clean way. Control with flow control valves and keep the working pressure constant so the force is preserved.
Find the right flow control valve
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Practical selection
Recommendations from maker data and field experience.
Smooth motion
Meter-out throttling explained for steady movement.
Safe end positions
Cushioning and kinetic energy clearly described.
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