Valves & circuits · Pneumatic glossary

Meter-out — Exhaust-flow control

Exhaust-flow control

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Term
Meter-out
Full form
Exhaust-flow control
Selection effect
Preferred for stable control of many pneumatic cylinder loads.

01

Meter-out: definition and engineering context

Exhaust-flow control. Restricts air leaving an actuator.

The term belongs to the valves & circuits context. Its exact limits can depend on the cited standard, catalog convention, unit system, reference state, and component configuration.

02

Why Meter-out affects pneumatic selection

Preferred for stable control of many pneumatic cylinder loads.

  • Meter-in: Use selectively because overrunning loads can become unstable.
  • Manifold: Confirm station pitch, electrical architecture, total flow, and expansion limits.
  • Silencer: Backpressure can reduce cylinder speed and valve performance.
  • 3/2 valve: Common for single-acting actuators and on/off air functions.

03

How to evaluate Meter-out in a catalog or replacement project

Read the value together with its unit, test basis, operating pressure, temperature, circuit state, and manufacturer definition.

For replacement work, compare the complete datasheet and drawing. A matching abbreviation or nominal size does not by itself prove functional or dimensional interchangeability.

  • Supply-flow control: Restricts air entering an actuator.
  • Common valve or distribution base: Base that shares supply and exhaust or distributes ports among multiple stations.
  • Pneumatic exhaust muffler: Porous or baffled element used to reduce exhaust noise.
  • Three-port, two-position valve: Directional valve with three ports and two switching states.

Selection checklist

What to verify before selection

  1. 01

    Preferred for stable control of many pneumatic cylinder loads.

  2. 02

    Use selectively because overrunning loads can become unstable.

  3. 03

    Confirm station pitch, electrical architecture, total flow, and expansion limits.

  4. 04

    Backpressure can reduce cylinder speed and valve performance.

Application caution

Common mistakes

  • Treating Meter-out as a universal definition without checking the manufacturer or standard context
  • Mixing gauge and absolute values, incompatible units, or different reference conditions in one comparison
  • Selecting a component from the term or nominal value alone without checking the complete operating point and drawing

FAQ

Questions engineers often ask

01Terminology checkWhat does Meter-out mean in pneumatics?

Exhaust-flow control. Restricts air leaving an actuator.

02Terminology checkWhy does Meter-out matter when selecting a component?

Preferred for stable control of many pneumatic cylinder loads.

03Terminology checkCan Meter-out values be compared directly between catalogs?

Only after the unit, reference condition, test method, operating point, and manufacturer definition have been reconciled.

Source notes

Technical references

This lookup table explains practical usage. Definitions, reference conditions, symbols, and abbreviations may differ by standard or manufacturer. Treat the applicable datasheet and standard as authoritative.

  1. ISO 5598:2020

    Provides the international fluid-power vocabulary used to interpret pneumatic terminology.

  2. ISO 1219-1:2012

    Defines graphical symbols and circuit-documentation principles for fluid-power systems.