Abstract: A fluid cylinder assembly includes a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder, the cylinder having a cylinder bore closed at both ends by end caps. One of the end caps is provided therein with a flow control valve assembly for controlling the fluid flow from the cylinder bore during a working stroke of the fluid cylinder assembly. The flow control valve assembly comprises a poppet valve having a pair of poppets on a valve rod and a spool valve movable in response to the operation of the poppet valve. The poppet valve is shiftable by a solenoid alternately energized and de-energized by an electric control circuit which is closed just before contact of a cutter on the piston rod with a workpiece.