Which configuration is used to achieve identical extend and retract speeds for a double-acting cylinder?

Which configuration is used to achieve identical extend and retract speeds for a double-acting cylinder?

• A. Independent speed control circuit
• B. Meter-in flow control circuit
• C. Meter-out flow control circuit
• D. Filter and regulator block

Answer: (B)

Air speed for a double-acting cylinder is driven by how much air can flow into the cylinder per unit time. To make extension and retraction move at the same speed, you need to impose the same flow restriction in the path that feeds the cylinder in either direction. A meter-in flow control circuit does exactly that: it places an adjustable throttling device in the supply line to the actuator so whichever end is being pressurized must pass through that same flow restriction. Because both directions rely on the same restriction, their speeds come out essentially identical (aside from small differences caused by friction or load). Using a meter-out circuit would slow air leaving the cylinder, which often results in different speeds between extend and retract. Independent speed controls could achieve equality but require tuning two separate controls, and a filter and regulator block doesn’t directly set movement speed.

Air speed for a double-acting cylinder is driven by how much air can flow into the cylinder per unit time. To make extension and retraction move at the same speed, you need to impose the same flow restriction in the path that feeds the cylinder in either direction. A meter-in flow control circuit does exactly that: it places an adjustable throttling device in the supply line to the actuator so whichever end is being pressurized must pass through that same flow restriction. Because both directions rely on the same restriction, their speeds come out essentially identical (aside from small differences caused by friction or load). Using a meter-out circuit would slow air leaving the cylinder, which often results in different speeds between extend and retract. Independent speed controls could achieve equality but require tuning two separate controls, and a filter and regulator block doesn’t directly set movement speed.