Air Rams: What is a Telescopic Cylinder?
A telescopic cylinder is a specially designed hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder with an air rams pulley system that provides an exceptionally long output length from a very compact retracted length. The collapsed length of a telescopic cylinder can be 20 to 40% of the fully extended length, depending on the number of stages. Some heavy-duty pneumatic telescopic cylinder units can be powered by oil hydraulics, but most medium to light units are powered by compressed air.
Another way to describe a telescopic cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder arranged as a compact envelope, with several cylinders built inside one another.
Design and work
Consisting of several cylinders that decrease in size, the main cylinder accommodates the number of cylinders arranged one inside the other. An inlet is provided in the main cylinder so pressurised oil can enter. Corresponding inlets are also provided for each cylinder.
During the extension stroke, when pressurised oil enters the main cylinder, this pushes the other cylinders outward or upward when sufficient oil pressure is generated. Each cylinder is pushed out or up in turn until the full length of the telescopic cylinder is achieved.
Application
Telescopic cylinders are used where there is less space available for a full-length hydraulic cylinder. These are usually used in forklifts, dump trucks, hydraulic cranes, and other commercial vehicles, especially in the construction and mining industries. Telescopic cylinders are also used in lifting platforms and tipping platforms.
With some special applications, the telescopic cylinder is required to extend with a constant speed or constant force. Therefore, the cylinder is designed so all cylinder extension stages extend or come out at the same time.
While these cylinders are commonly restricted to a maximum of six stages – six being the practical design limit to avoid stability problems – some pneumatic cylinder designs can incorporate up to nine stages. Telescopic cylinders require careful design since they can be subjected to strong side forces, especially when fully extended.
The best example of a telescopic cylinder is that used for dump trucks in which the dump body needs to be tilted some 60° to empty its contents completely. If the body or trailer dump is fitted with a conventional rod-type cylinder, the dump body cannot return to a horizontal orientation for travel because of the cylinder’s length.
Air rams or pneumatic cylinders from MasterMac2000
MasterMac2000 P/L is one of Australia’s largest privately-owned pneumatic and process automation distributors. We have a comprehensive database and complete stocks of quality brands of air rams, pneumatic valves, flow control valves, and other pneumatic valves, such as Univer, Mack, and Tolomatic. Call us on 07 3344 4711 or visit us at https://mastermac2000.com.au/.
About MasterMac2000: Your Trusted Pneumatic & Process Automation Partner.
LEADING THE INDUSTRY: Established in 1989, MasterMac2000 has grown to become one of Australia's largest privately owned pneumatic and process automation companies. We stock top-quality brands like Univer, Mack, Tolomatic, Mac, Piab, American, and Rotoflux in Brisbane.
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About The Author
Stuart Havill
Stuart Havill is the owner and manager of MasterMac2000, Queensland's largest privately owned pneumatic and process valve company.
With his early working career as a maintenance fitter for Boral in 1992, Stuart has spent his life in the field of pneumatics and process equipment. He gained extensive experience in plant design, maintenance, repairs, fabrication, and site management.
In 1996, he transitioned to a pneumatic sales technician role at MasterMac2000, where he excelled in key account management, providing cost-effective solutions, and managing a sales team of 9 employees.
Since 2002, Stuart has been the manager at MasterMac2000, overseeing the company's growth and establishing it as a leader in pneumatic automation and process valve engineering. His expertise spans customer training, CRM setup, industrial compressor sizing and installation, and turn-key project management.
Under Stuart's leadership, MasterMac2000 has been servicing the industry since 1988, with 5 full-time sales representatives covering northern rivers NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, and PNG. The company prides itself on providing the best-priced solutions to all customers in the marketplace.
View Stuart’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about his expertise in pneumatics and process equipment.