A hydraulic cylinder, or a linear motor, is a mechanical actuator used to give linear force through a linear stroke. It can be used in a variety of ways, and is commonly seen in manufacturing machinery, civil engineering, and construction equipment. There are two main types of hydraulic cylinders: tie rod cylinders and welded body cylinders. Welded hydraulic cylinders offer a number of advantages over tie rod cylinders, and at SHC, Inc., we are dedicated to providing quality welded cylinders.
Before understanding the advantages of a welded body cylinder, it is important to understand the difference between the two styles of hydraulic cylinders.
Tie Rod Cylinders
Tie rod hydraulic cylinders are not as complex in terms of design as welded body cylinders. Tie rod hydraulic cylinders use high-strength threaded steel rods in order to hold the end caps to the cylinder barrel. Small bore cylinders typically have four tie rods whereas larger bore cylinders can have as many as twenty tie rods in order to withstand the forces produced by the cylinder.
Welded Body Cylinders
Welded hydraulic cylinders have no tie rods. Instead, the barrel is welded directly to the end caps and the ports are welded to the barrel. The front rod gland is generally bolted or threaded into the cylinder barrel, which allows the piston rod assembly and the rod seals to be removed for service.
Why Choose Welded Body Cylinders
Welded hydraulic cylinders possess a number of advantages over tie rod cylinders. Although tie rod cylinders can be cheaper to manufacture, they are usually considered “off the shelf” items and have limited options in terms of customizability. They are also less durable than welded cylinders. Welded body cylinders can be custom-engineered for specific applications.
Welded cylinders also have superior seal packages, which can help increase the life expectancy of the cylinder and can be beneficial when the cylinder will be used in locations that involve contaminants and weathering. Aesthetically, welded body cylinders have lower profiles than tie rod cylinders and can improve the appearance of the equipment on which it is used. Since they are narrower than their tie rod equivalents, welded hydraulic cylinders work well in applications in which space is a factor.
At SHC, Inc., we work with our customers to provide quality welded hydraulic cylinders. We employ top-notch engineers and draftsmen to manufacture custom cylinders that meet the demands of our customers.
