Designing a desk - mechanism involved, ideas needed

I am building a SUD (stand up desk) and i need some ideas for some internal parts (sliding mechanism, air cylinder for easy lifting, a way to fix the desk at different heights. We have to keep in mind manufacturing, to be as simple and sturdy as possible. As a side note, the mechanism involves a desk that will be placed on an existing desk. Its a platform that will go up parallel to the ground and enable working both sitting on a chair and standing up.