Customizable cylinders are small but powerful

May 20, 2013

NFPA tie-rod hydraulic cylinders are powerful devices, but they’re generally pretty hefty. The smallest standard size usually has a 1.5-in. bore, according to officials at Nason, Walhalla, S. C. (www.nasonptc.com). The company’s L15 hydraulic cylinders, on the other hand, are rated for 1,500 psi of pressure but come in bores down to 20 mm, giving engineers a viable option when jobs need lots of force in tight spaces.

They’re made of thick-walled, anodized-aluminum housings and end caps, and are assembled with hardened fasteners. Chrome-plated 1045/1050-steel piston rods and steel pistons with wear rings and rod wipers are standard on all models. The aluminum housings mean users can opt for a magnetic piston for sensing stroke position, which can’t be done with steel hydraulic cylinders.

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Self-lubricating bronze bearings and low-friction nitrile seals — factory lubricated with PTFE impregnated grease — help ensure low breakaway and running friction, high efficiency, and long life.

The L15 cylinders come in single and double-rod configurations. Standard bore diameters range from 20 to 50 mm (0.79 to 1.97 in.) and strokes from 15 to 75 mm (0.59 to 2.95 in.), with inch or metric mountings and ports available. In fact, because all major components are machined, designs are easily customized to user specs. And all L15 Series cylinders can be rebuilt in the field.