Air Springs Supply (www.airsprings.com.au) has unveiled its latest range of flexible pneumatic actuators that feature highly engineered fabric and rubber air bag with bellow-type, flexible-wall air cylinders. Suited to engineering of assemblies for high-repetition tasks, Firestone (www.firestone.com) air spring actuators are rapidly inflated and deflated to achieve their purpose.
When applying large force, the air spring actuators serve as a cost-efficient alternative to expensive hydraulic systems. Their sizes range between three inches and 35 inches in diameter, with the larger sizes allowing a maximum force of 40,000 kg each using only seven bar (100 psi) air pressure.
Instead of using guides or seals, the air spring actuators employ flexible, compliant bellows wall, with the bellows following the path of least resistance. This implies that users need not worry of side loads due to misalignment.
With the bellows’ ability to bend, the bead plates need not remain parallel, particularly when linkage is at an angle. Users can even stroke through an angle without clevises, as long the side walls of the bellows are not over-compressed or over-extended.
Eliminating the need for lubrication, Firestone Airstrokes air spring actuators have a lower system cost and contain no moving parts to wear, break, cause costly disruptions of production or to leak compressed air.
The air spring actuators can survive corrosive and abrasive environments requiring special consideration when using conventional cylinder since they have no seals sliding against exposed surfaces. They are also ideally suited for use in aggressive environments such as heavy industry and mining.
Powered by simple, basic compressor equipment, the air spring actuators are offered in various styles, featuring differing components that control the path and shape of axial extension but retaining their basic design.
Filed Under: Pneumatic Tips
