Considerations for optimisation include;
- Oil levels, type and viscosity can all be changed to control damping characteristics and spring rate
- Gas pressure which affects manual handling forces
- Mounting positions
Guide and seal package – The guide and seal package provide a bearing surface for the rod and prevents the escape of gas and ingress of contamination.
Beadroll – The beadroll is a grooved section or in some cases a series dimples around the diameter of the tube. This feature is used to retain the guide and seal package and prevent the piston from damaging the seal package during extension.
Piston – Piston assemblies are manufactured from zinc, aluminium or plastic. There are various types of pistons that gas spring manufacturers can choose from to achieve the ideal action for an application. Varying the piston type, number and size of orifice used will dramatically change how the gas spring performs
End plug – An end plug is used to both seal the end of a gas spring and provide a means of attaching an end fitting to enable installation on the application. Special end plugs can also be fitted that provide the ability to decrease force by releasing gas from the gas spring without the need to remove it from the application.
Nitrogen gas charge – Nitrogen is used inside gas springs as it is inert and non-flammable, and also does not react with any of the internal components.
Oil – Typically mineral oil is used inside gas springs to provide both lubrication of the piston and damping at the end of the stroke. The amount of oil used will affect the length of damped stroke.
In summary, the choice of a quality gas spring manufacturing partner is just as important as the product they supply. A good partner will be experienced in a wide range of applications across a variety of industry sectors from hi-tech aerospace and medical through to general industry. They will provide an optimum solution quickly and within the constraints of the design engineers application. They will also possess the ability to be flexible and provide both standard or bespoke solutions dependent upon project budget and timescales.