Incorporating hydraulic cushioning into your cylinder design can be a game-changer for many industrial equipment applications.

Hydraulic cushioning can improve the performance of your cylinders while also reducing wear and tear, extending the cylinder's lifespan and reducing the likelihood of maintenance or repair needs. Cushioning can also help reduce noise and vibration, improve the working conditions for operators and minimize the risk of damage to nearby equipment or structures.

Hydraulic cushioning integrates small, adjustable hydraulic chambers into the cylinder to decrease the fluid flow, absorb shock and reduce the impact forces generated during the operation of the cylinder. When the piston reaches the end of the cylinder stroke, the hydraulic cushioning system slows down the piston's movement, reducing the impact force and preventing damage to the cylinder and its components.

Hydraulic cushioning is highly customizable and can be adjusted to meet specific requirements. Careful evaluations by our experienced engineering staff determine the exact parameters to achieve the appropriate flow reduction. Factors evaluated include:

• Maximum load that needs to be decelerated
• Inertia and mass of the structure
• Oil volume used in the application
• Pressure rating of the equipment
• Cycle time and frequency 

 RAM offers a few different standard cushioning configurations based on the applications the cylinder will be used on.

• Basic applications requiring cushioning can use a design with two to four holes. A port block provides an oil channel to connect the multiple holes.
• Applications with frequent or faster cycle time requirements may require a more complex configuration using multiple holes on the entire circumference of the barrel. An exterior steel tubing connects the internal oil channels and acts as an oil passage chamber to the port. This design allows for higher velocity cushioning and enables the cylinder to respond at a quicker rate.
• Heavy-duty applications often use an internal configuration for cylinder cushioning. In this design, the gland is machined with a precise chamber that forms a tight tolerance with a solid sleeve on the piston. A spud can also be incorporated on the end of the piston with a tight tolerance chamber in the cylinder base for double-ended cushioning.

Could your equipment benefit from the smoother stopping provided by hydraulic cushioning?

Contact the RAM team to discuss how we can incorporate hydraulic cushioning into cylinders for your projects.

ESTIMATING@RAMINDUSTRIES.COM

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