Which is better to control a pneumatic cylinder- meter-in flow or meter-out control?

Meter-out flow control is generally better for controlling a pneumatic cylinder. This is because meter-out flow control allows for more precise control of the cylinder's speed and position. With meter-out flow control, the flow of air into the cylinder is restricted, which creates a backpressure that helps to slow the cylinder down and prevent it from overshooting its target position.

Meter-in flow control, on the other hand, does not provide as much control over the cylinder's speed and position. This is because meter-in flow control simply allows air to flow into the cylinder without any restriction. This can cause the cylinder to move too quickly and overshoot its target position.

In addition, meter-out flow control is more energy efficient than meter-in flow control. This is because meter-out flow control uses less air to move the cylinder. With meter-in flow control, the air that flows into the cylinder is simply exhausted to the atmosphere. This wasted air can add up over time and result in significant energy losses.

For these reasons, meter-out flow control is generally the better choice for controlling a pneumatic cylinder.