Compact air cylinders are critical to many applications, including printing, palletizing, robotics, automotive assembly and semiconductor processing. This type of pneumatic actuator provides short strokes in a compact, low-profile design—enabling you to use it in very tight spaces. With bore sizes from 0.5–4 inches and a maximum standard stroke of 4 inches, these cylinders typically feature the longest possible stroke for the smallest package size. In light of their value and widespread use, it's important to remember that not all compact air cylinders are created equal. This white paper provides a helpful overview of air cylinder design and also explores the key features you should look for when selecting a compact cylinder for your application.