Air Cylinders from Automotion
At Automotion Components we pride ourselves on being experts on components in motion, whether linear or rotary. Our range of rotary components includes rod ends, clevis joints, ball and socket joints, precision spur gears, flex pivots, turnbuckles, gear boxes and rigid couplings. As these are specialist parts don't hesitate to get in touch with our technical engineers who can help with calculations and choose the right products for your application.
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The Cylinder/Piston sets are the technology behind our dashpots but are available seperately for you to design into your own application.
Ultra Low Friction and ultra smooth motion. Can operate at extreme temperatures.
Bore sizes from 0.627" to 1.75" and level of damping is easily adjustable by hand
Bore sizes from 0.22" to 1.75", Strokes on Standard Models up to 3.0" and can be easily customised.
Features
What is stiction?
Stiction is the problem that causes air cylinders to stick at the start of the stroke - resulting in erratic breakaway motion. Technically it’s the difference between static friction and moving friction when static friction is higher. Our Anti-Stiction Air Cylinders do away with any perceptible stiction and reduces running friction to exceedingly low levels. This gives them the unique ability to impart super smooth motion, smoother than any other air cylinder.
Features and benefits
Ultra Low Friction - In conventional air cylinders there is a design trade-off . No air leakage in exchange for higher stiction and running friction. Our Anti-Stiction Air Cylinders chose to go the other way. A little air leakage, which is not relevant in most applications, in return for ultra low friction.
The Anti-Stiction Air Cylinders use a precision fit graphite piston which slides freely, without lubrication, inside a glass cylinder. No corrosion and no need for lubrication - our glass cylinders are encased in a stainless steel sleeve with a small space in between which provides excellent impact protection, so much so that the outside wall can be dented without affecting the glass liner. If you dent a conventional air cylinder, you can expect its operation to be severely impaired because the piston rides against the exposed cylinder. They can operate at extreme temperatures, at very high speeds and cycle rates. They also run cleaner than typical air cylinders as they contain no oil or grease. They have no rubber or plastic seals to wear out or harden with time.
Product Selection Chart
Anti-Stiction Air Cylinder or Actuator?
Both employ a unique combination of glass cylinder and graphite piston and have similar performance properties with respect to friction, cleanliness, and temperature range. The major diff erences are in the actuation direction capabilities, outer construction, mounting features, and dimensions. The chart below offers a quick comparison between the two:
| Anti-stiction Air Cylinder | Actuator | |
| Double Acting Capability | • | |
| Can Actuate From Rod End | • | |
| Outer Steel Case | • | |
| Double Rod Models | • | |
| Can Pivot Cylinder | • | • |
| Can Vacuum Actuate | • | • |
| Pressure One Way, Spring Retract | • | |
| Greatest Rod Angle | • | |
| Least Possible Friction | • | |
| Lowest Pressure Response | • | |
| Most Compact | • | |
| Least Mass/Weight | • | |
| Highest Degree of Cleanliness | • | |
| Useful for Pumping | • |
| L4500 - L4510 | L4520 - L4530 | L4540 - L4548 | L4556 - L4558 | |
| Bore (mm) | 9.3 | 15.9 | 24.0 | 32.5 |
| Piston area (sq. mm) | 67.7 | 198 | 452.5 | 830 |
| Max pressure (MPa) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Suitable for vacuum actuation? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Force output at max pressure on the rear side (newtons) | 47.4 | 139 | 316.6 | 581 |
| Force output at max pressure on the rod side (newtons) | 42 | 125 | 294.5 | 526 |
| Force factor rear side (factor x pressure [MPa] = force output [N]) | 67.7 | 198 | 452.5 | 830 |
| Force factor rod side (factor x pressure [MPa] = force output [N]) | 60 | 178 | 420.8 | 751 |
| Min pressure differential required for actuation (MPa) | <0.0015 | <0.0015 | <0.0015 | <0.0035 |
| Piston friction as % of load (without side load) | 1 to 2% | 1 to 2% | 1 to 2% | 1 to 2% |
| Operating temperature range | -55°C to +150°C | -55°C to +150°C | -55°C to +150°C | -55°C to +150°C |
| Weight of piston/rod assy (grams) Single rod end models | 4.5 + (0.375 x stroke) | 16 + (0.142 x stroke) | 41.4 + (0.254 x stroke) | 82.6 + (0.56 x stroke) |
| Weight of piston/rod assy (grams) Double rod end models | 8.87 + (0.064 x stroke) | 28.48 + (0.315 x stroke) | 74.28 + (0.509 x stroke) | |
| Weight of complete unit (grams) Single rod end models | 31.7 + (0.375 x stroke) | 64.6 + (0.622 x stroke) | 157.18 + (1.225 x stroke) | 616 + (3.66 x stroke) |
| Weight of complete unit (grams) Double rod end models | 41.02 + (0.462 x stroke) | 80.45 + (0.854 x stroke) | 204.9 + (0.462 x stroke) |
Max Leak at Reference Pressures
| At pressure MPa = | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.34 |
| Max leak rate by piston: SL/min* | 1.16 | 1.39 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Max leak rate by rod: SL/min* | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.0 |
Note: Lower leak rates are available for both imperial and metric models on request. Please contact our technical department for more information.
