Siemens Level 1 Practice Exam

The piston speed of cylinder 1A can be greater during retraction than it is in extension primarily through the installation of a quick exhaust valve between valve 1V1 and valve 1V2.

A quick exhaust valve is designed to facilitate the rapid release of air from the cylinder during retraction, which decreases the time it takes for the piston to return to its initial position. As a result, this faster exhaust allows the piston to retract more quickly than it extends, leading to increased speed during the retraction phase. Additionally, during extension, the air exhaust path may be more restricted, contributing to slower movement in that direction.

Increasing the air pressure in the system could indeed increase the speed of both extension and retraction but doesn't specifically address the difference in speed between the two actions. Adjusting the cylinder's stroke length would affect the overall distance the piston travels rather than its speed in either direction. Employing a two-stage cylinder design allows for different speeds by incorporating different stages for extending and retracting, but it does not specifically create a situation where retraction is faster than extension without specific design adjustments. Therefore, the installation of a quick exhaust valve is the most direct method to achieve the situation described.