AIR SPRINGS Supply says air actuators can replace traditional cylinders used in stamping, fabrication and materials handling machinery.
According to the company, one of the weakest links in stamping, fabrication and materials handling machinery can be the seals in the actuating cylinders.
This can be especially critical in aggressive atmospheres laden with dust and waste. These cylinders can clog up and wear down prematurely due to contamination.
The manufacturer says the Airstrokes air spring actuators avoid the problem because they totally lack such seals.
The engineered rubber and fabric air bags are flexible-wall, bellows-type air cylinders suited for high repetition tasks, for which they are inflated and deflated rapidly. These actuators can provide between 40 to 40,000kg of pushing or lifting power.
The firm says thus far, the air springs have been used in high speed metal stamping, forming presses, die strippers, and for actuating conveyor lines. They are also used as ram cylinders, die cushions, counterbalances, clamps and lifters.