View A Video on Cable Cylinders - A Quick Introduction
Cable Cylinders
Printing, packaging, textile production, building, food processing, mining and forestry industries all utilize cable cylinders in a number of machines and devices on a daily basis. Articulating arms, counter balances, hoists and lift gates are just a few of the functional applications for cable cylinders. With double and single action cylinder options, cable cylinders are mechanisms that offer both the unidirectional and bidirectional capabilities of traditional cylinders but are more flexible in design and configuration. Because cables vary in length, the actual load to be moved can be located at a distance from the cylinder, adding to the ease of integrating such pneumatic devices into pre-existing workspaces. The length along with tension, strength and stretch capacity of cables should be carefully considered when choosing a cable cylinder for a specific task. Further considerations include load weight and size, speed, seal type and the material construct of the cylinder and its components.
While cable cylinders are variable, the basic construction and process remains relatively uniform. The cylinder itself is a round, rectangular, oval or octagonal tube-shaped device with an inlet and exhaust valve at one or both ends depending on the specific design. Additionally, an endcap is located at each end. The cable from which the name of these devices is derived passes through a seal located in the endcap and is then wound through two or more pulleys before re-entering the cylinder through a seal in the opposite endcap. Within the cylinder, the cable is also firmly attached to a piston. The external portion of cable is fastened to a carriage. This is where the load to be moved is connected. When the cylinder is in use, compressed air enters into one side of the cylinder. Working air drives the piston towards the opposite end of the cylinder, moving the attached cable. As the cable moves, so does the carriage and corresponding load. As the carriage is often a light-duty component, rails and tracks may be used to help support the load as needed. The degree of lateral movement correlates with the amount of compressed air entered into the enclosed cylinder shaft. This length, known as the stroke, is one of the most important cable cylinder specifications. Additional considerations include pressure range, bore size, mounting options and port size.
