Can anyone please explain to me what is the usage of a pneumatic muscle and how do you work with it?
My team bought it with the FIRST Choice points from the season and we still have no idea what to do with it(For all who wonder we bought it because although we don’t know how to really use it, it is freaking awesome :D)
Thanks in advance,
Zimber 
The Festo website has some videos of the muscle in action: http://www.festo.com/cms/en-us_us/5030.htm
It will be smoother than a piston, and I believe it gives a bit more torque. That said, I don’t think I have seen one on a robot yet. And yes, they are a lot of fun to play with…
Thank you very much
It is simply a linear actuator that works by shortening as the rubber section “balloons” with air pressure. It differs from a cylinder in these ways: Can only pull, not push; much more force than a cylinder of a similar diameter; less range (stroke) than a cylinder of similar length. It is also said to be faster and more “sensative” than a cylinder, probably because of the lack of friction and moving parts. Its application would limited to a situation where you needed a strong, short pulling force, with a minimal diameter device.