Actuator adaptive cushioning

Configuring components such as actuators generally requires somebody with specialist knowledge of the equipment. But even with the support of someone who has the capability to make any adjustments and the familiarity to understand their impacts, the potential for human error is always present. These mistakes can result in unforeseen damage, as well as being time consuming and inefficient.

But these downsides are generally accepted as part and parcel of fitting and maintaining these components. At least, that has been the case until now.

By automating this process, significant efficiencies can be found. As we strive to meet the needs of customers and modern applications, this is something we have been working towards and we continue to invest heavily in innovation by developing our own expertise and working in partnership with customers. This means that solutions like the ISOLineTM range, which features our Adaptive Cushioning System, aren’t just a result of our decades of experience in pneumatic actuation; they’re answers to the problems our customers tell us they will be facing going forward.

Self-compensating

A self-compensating, pneumatic cushioning system, the ISOLineTM ACS allows effective cushioning for 70-80% of applications, adjusting cylinder cushioning to external influences including changing loads.

To deliver precise cushioning control, tapered grooves in the piston’s cushion sleeve create a variable orifice which reduces as the cylinder completes its stroke. As the sleeve subsequently engages the cushion seal, backpressure is generated, with the grooves enabling the exhausting air to escape. To ensure this effect is replicated across different applications, the number of tapered grooves on the cushion sleeve ranges from two to eighteen, depending on bore size.

Because operating conditions differ for each of our customers, the versatility of ACS is crucial. To ensure this, we have incorporated a cushion screw as standard which gives users the flexibility to extend their operating windows and even undertake extreme applications. This unique feature, which works in conjunction with the tapered grooves.

Alongside this feature, ISOLineTM offers a number of benefits for OEMs which contribute towards greater operational efficiency for customers, from the point of installation and throughout its service life:

- Quick & easy installation: With a simplified installation process and no requirement for manual adjustment, the need for specialist set-up knowledge is removed. Alongside reducing installation time and improving efficiency, OEMs can also be confident that machine performance will be maintained even after servicing as cushioning does not need to be reset.

- Improved operational efficiency: Automatically adapting to the application with no cushion setting required, the pneumatic damping function allows for time savings to be made from the point of installation. Adjusting to changing loads and self-compensating for external influences such as airline pressure, users benefit from more reliable performance with a reduced risk of unplanned stops.

- Simplified servicing: A true ‘fit and forget’ system, ISOLineTM enables machine performance to be maintained without the need to adjust or set cushioning on replacement cylinders. As a result, significant time and cost savings can be enjoyed.

- Extended service life: With changing operating environments comes circumstances which have the potential to cause physical damage. However, harmful occurrences such as ‘bounce’ and vibration are overcome with self-compensating cushioning, helping to extend the life of machines.

As a result of these innovations, ISOLineTM range simplifies installation, increases service life and reduces maintenance costs through improved operating efficiency and easier servicing, enabling our customers to adopt a true ‘fit and forget’ approach. With a lower breakaway pressure and reduced minimum speed, the range is also up to 20% lighter than previous pneumatic cylinders, providing improved performance while conforming to ISO standard 15552.