Pneumatic Actuators Archives - HyperCyl
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Tag Archive: Pneumatic Actuators

  1. “Punching and Shearing” Tips and Tricks

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    Aries Engineering/HyperCyl is a diversified manufacturer of Hydra-Pneumatic Cylinders, Servo Actuators, Presses, Pierce Units and Joining Systems designed for use in a wide range of assembly
    and forming applications. HyperCyl has a place in virtually every segment of industrial production. HyperCyl has a proven track record in thousands of applications as a clean, quiet, reliable, self-contained power source utilizing only compressed air to generate ample output forces from 3kN – 1,780kN.

    The formula to calculate punching force is quite simple:

    Force = Hole Perimeter (length of cut) x Material Thickness (aluminum, steel, stainless) x Shear Strength or Tensile Strength (depends on type of punch being used). You must make sure that you keep your units consistent between Metric and Imperial.

    Metal Forming

    Forces required for metal piercing can be calculated as follows:
    L= Length
    T= Thickness of Material
    S= Shear Strength of Material

    L x T x S = Force Required

    (stripping force= 10% of Pierce Force)

    Stripping force is the force required to typically remove or retract the punch after it has pierced the material.

    Example:

    3/8 ” (.375″) hole through .032″ thick CRS (cold rolled steel)
    L= 1.178 (.375 x 3.141)
    T= .032
    S= 55,000

    1.178 x .032 x 55,000= 2090 lbs.

    Here are some helpful tips and tricks for punching and shearing applications:

    *While the ultimate Tensile strength is used for initial calculations for flat punch designs, the formula for using full tensile strength is applied at the onset to establish a WORST-CASE scenario for sizing our cylinders. Real life tensile can vary based on mold/forming time, cooling time, work hardening (if applicable) and a host of other miscellaneous factors. We don’t see as much variation with Aluminum castings as we do with steel.

    *We can provide parts-testing data and extrapolate from our testing for a 0.25”, 0.375”, and 0.500” nominal punch holes to determine the actual tensile/shear strengths and calculate real life forces, factoring in the flat punch or shear punch designs.

    *Not everyone uses Shear in the punch head, MOST use a flat punch so it can be sharpened easily and reused for many years. When using SHEAR in your punch head, the Shear Strength can be used for force calculations.

    *In all piercing applications, a “stripper” or positive force on the part DURING punching operation should be considered so the part can remain located in nesting during retraction of the punch from part. If absent from your design, the part will retract with the punch during retract.

    *There are numerous versions of shearing punch designs which directly correlate to forces required:

    -High angle, straight cut (think scissors)
    -Rooftop
    -Inverted Rooftop
    -Inverted Rooftop
    -Double Valley
    -JK Shear (flat punch, using Tensile strength, NOT shear strength)

    Find out more how HyperCyl can help meet your application needs, email sales@hypercyl.com.

  2. How To: Build Intelligence into Piercing for Today’s High Force/High Speed Environments

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    Flexibility, performance and cost have always been key factors in today’s expanding manufacturing marketplace.  For decades hydraulic and mechanical presses were the only options for high-speed, high-force Piercing Applications. HyperCyl Hydra-Pneumatic and HyperCyl-EMA servo based systems have emerged as viable alternatives geared towards today’s lean manufacturing processes. HyperCyl also provides a much cleaner solution without the mess, accumulators, drip pans, noise, heat, fans and overall footprint of outdated power technology.

    So, what to do when you need high-speed Piercing using a fixed system or robot-mounted pierce head? Well, that depends on your needs, annual Volume requirements and how long the project will run. Other factors include the material thickness, tensile strength and length-of-cut to determine the force necessary for any given piercing project.

    Outlined below we will discuss a Hydra-Pneumatic system using IntelliCyl along with a Servo system using HyperCyl-EMA and our HyperPierce equalizing units.

     

    HyperPierce self-equalizing unit with HyperCyl-EMA Servo Technology

    8-Ton Self-Equalizing ServoPierce unit (HyperCyl-EMA)
    Capability: Self-Equalizing units have the benefit of moving to your part. Meaning the press itself will move around your fixed part, not the other way around. HyperPierce + HyperCyl-EMA provides exceptional control over force, speed and distance characteristics for any application. It can also tell when your tool begins to dull due to subtle increases in force over a period of time. Signature analysis, data logging, part history, trending and root cause analysis options are also available for added functionality and tracking.

    Reliability/Costs: Servo technology is inherently capable and sizing them appropriately is crucial. Expected lifetime is from 3 Years to 5 Years, configured for any particular application. Long-Term Reliability coincides with maintenance schedules and upkeep of tooling. Costs can be higher than Hydraulics but the Energy efficiency achieved with low down-time, low noise pollution, ZERO environmental pollution (no oil) will ensure a quick ROI.

    Speed: Up to 16.00 in/sec with an extremely high rate of repeatability. Usually requires a deceleration setting before Contact and Home to maximize screw life. Multiple move profiles and full control over the process from start to finish.

    Forces: 1-10 Ton in Ball Screw configurations (BS1 & BS2) with a medium dynamic load rating; 1-25 Tons in the Roller Screw configuration with a high dynamic load rating.

     

    HyperPierce self-equalizing unit with Hydra-Pneumatic Technology

     8-Ton Non-Equalizing unit with HyperCyl (Hydra-Pneumatic)

    Capability: For basic “Fixed-Mount” pierce units, keeping things simple is sometimes best. Using only 2 pneumatic valves for operation the HyperCyl (hydra-pneumatic) cylinder greatly streamlines the startup process versus hydraulic or even servo-controlled systems. Cylinders are available in (6) design configurations. Cylinder can have the ability for Swivel Fittings (HPS and HZS systems only) for robot-mounting agility. When coupled with the IntelliCyl option, (load cell and LVLT) force distance monitoring is available.

    Reliability/Costs: (MTBS) Mean time between service interval of approximately 4-5 million cycles because down time is not an option. LIFETIME warranty on all HPI – HPS – HPX – HZ –  HZS – HPT cylinders, 1-Ton through 200-Ton. Typically HyperCyl is more expensive than Pneumatic cylinders but offer the same Clean, Quiet & Self-Contained operation WITH controllable force. Less expensive than hydraulic and mechanical systems for both short & long-term investments.

    Speed: Fast Approach speeds similar to that of a pneumatic cylinder (6 in/sec – 10 in/sec) and High Pressure speeds similar to that of hydraulic cylinders (1.0 in/sec – 2.0 in/sec).

    Forces: 1-200 tons of output force using 30-100 PSI shop air.

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    Additional Products

    HyperView PressSignature Analysis

    IntelliCylLoad Cell & Linear Transducer

    HyperPressC Frame, H Frame, CGB Frame

    Mechanical Rod Locks – CSA compliance, CE certified, ISO certified

  3. How To: Determine the Appropriate Technology for High Force/High Speed Applications

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    Flexibility, performance, capital and operating costs have always been key factors in today’s expanding manufacturing marketplace. For decades hydraulics and mechanical presses were the only options for high-speed, high-force assembly and forming applications. More recently hydra-pneumatics and servo-based systems have emerged as viable low-cost alternatives. So which technology is best suited for a specific application? The following topics can serve as a guideline towards the correct usage.
    Aries Engineering is the only manufacturer Headquartered and Manufactured in North America offering both servo driven and hydra-pneumatic solutions.

    Servo-Based Technology – HyperCyl-EMA

    Capability: Provides exceptional control over force, speed, and distance characteristics. Requires the use of a full PLC/PC based electrical panel and 230V/460V. Best used for push-to-distance or push-to-force applications, push/pull applications and where Extreme repeatability is essential. Signature analysis, data logging, part history, trending and root cause analysis options are also available for added functionality and tracking.

    Reliability: Servo technologies are inherently capable and sizing them appropriately is crucial. Expected lifetime is from 3 Years to 5 Years, configured for any application. Long-Term Reliability coincides with maintenance schedules.

    Speed: Up to 16.00 in/sec with an extremely high rate of repeatability. Requires a deceleration setting before Contact and Home to maximize tooling and screw life.

    Forces: 1-10 Ton in Ball Screw configurations (BS1 & BS2) with a medium dynamic load rating; 1-25 Tons in the Roller Screw configuration with a high dynamic load rating.

    Maintenance: 3/6-month lube schedule & periodic belt tension check dependent on usage and environment.

    Cost: Can be higher initial cost than comparable Hydraulics. Energy efficiency and ROI achieved with minimal downtime, low noise pollution, rapid setting changes without involving tooling, ZERO environmental pollution, comparable energy usage to hydraulics without the mess.

    Hydra-Pneumatic Cylinders – HyperCyl

    Capability: Utilizing 2 pneumatic valves for operation and a FRL greatly reduces start up time. Cylinders are available in 5 design configurations and 11 standard sizes. Best used for; crimping, dimpling, peening, swaging, inserting, clinching, pressing, staking, piercing, punching, marking, bending, and forming. When coupled with the IntelliCyl option, (load cell and LVLT) force distance monitoring is available.

    Reliability: (MTBS) Mean time between service interval of approximately 4-5 million cycles because down time is not an option. LIFETIME warranty on all HPI – HPS – HZ – HZS – HPT cylinders, 1-Ton through 200-Ton.

    Speed: Fast Approach speeds similar to that of a pneumatic cylinder (6 in/sec – 10 in/sec) and High-Pressure speeds similar to that of hydraulic cylinders (1.0 in/sec – 2.0 in/sec).

    Forces: 1-200 tons of output force using 30-100 PSI shop air.

    Maintenance: 20 million cycles before seals require replacement. Field serviceable by maintenance techs and 24-hour HyperCyl assistance is available. Periodic maintenance depends on application and environment.

    Cost: More expensive than Pneumatic cylinders but offers the same clean, quiet & self-contained operation. Less expensive than hydraulic and mechanical systems for both short & long-term investments.

    Additional Products:

    HyperView Press – SigPOD
    IntelliCyl – load cell & linear transducer
    HyperPress-C Frame, H Frame, CGB Frame
    Equalizing/ Non-Equalizing Units Pneumatic
    Mechanical Rod Locks

    Industries Served:

    HyperCyl Manufacturing Industries Served – Automotive, DoD, Lawn & Garden, Appliance, HVAC, Food & Beverage Packaging, Destructive Testing, ATV/Off-Road

    HyperCyl-EMA Industries Served – Medical Device Manufacturing, Aerospace, Automotive, Food Product Manufacturing, Clean Room Environments, Lab Testing

    To learn more about our product solutions and how they can benefit your assembly or forming application, contact us today. To discuss your application requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.

  4. Can HyperCyl meet your application needs?

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    HyperCyl’s products are designed to enable clean, quiet, and precise operations with minimal maintenance requirements. Our diverse product portfolio supports a wide range of industries and applications.

    Industries

    Aries Engineering/HyperCyl is a Michigan-based company specializing in the fabrication of cylinders, presses, and other products for assembly and forming applications in the industrial automation, manufacturing, commercial, and defense industries. Our versatile products cover virtually all segments of industrial production, from medical and electronic device manufacturing to heavy industrial piercing and forming, including:

    • Automotive (engine/transmission, suspension, body)
    • Medical devices (clean-room)
    • Semiconductors (clean-room)
    • Electronic devices
    • Appliances (washer, dryer, etc.)
    • Munitions (bullet manufacture, warhead seal & contain systems)
    • Office furniture
    • Coining
    • Hemming

    Meeting Your Application Needs

    Whether you need a simple press, high-precision actuator, or fully customized turnkey system, HyperCyl has the manufacturing expertise and problem-solving skills to provide unique solutions for a range of assembly and forming challenges. Our press systems include C-frame, H-frame, and CBG-frame options, and we also offer HyperPierce units available in both equalizing and non-equalizing designs.

    HyperCyl cylinders are clean, quiet, and reliable self-contained power sources with versatile designs capable of accommodating various industrial operation requirements.

    In addition to our standard product line, we also accommodate special requests, and can tailor our cylinder and actuator designs around the customer’s specific production requirements with reasonable turnaround times and prices.

    Quality You Can Expect

    When you choose a HyperCyl for your operation, you can expect:

    • The ability to separately regulate the approach and power strokes, providing enhanced control over the process and eliminating the need for cylinder reconfiguration
    • Increased retract force versus competition, allowing for heavier tooling
    • No stored energy hazards as the cylinders do not use mechanical springs to assist the pistons (competition does use internal springs)
    • Increased value over alternative cylinder options, including multi-stage air cylinders and hydraulic cylinders and power units
    • Limited lifetime warranty

    To learn more about our product solutions and how they can benefit your assembly or forming application, contact us today. To discuss your application requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.

  5. Hydraulic vs. Pneumatic vs. Electric Actuators

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    Actuators are mechanical devices that use energy to generate motion. Manual or automatic control commands initiate change in physical systems, creating motion to perform a task. Actuators allow machines to lift, block, clamp, eject and more.

    Depending on the type of energy source used to produce motion, three main types of actuators are available: hydraulic, pneumatic and electric. Below we’ll review the characteristics of these actuators as well as their applications and advantages.

    Hydraulic Actuators

    Known as the most commonly used energy conversion system, hydraulic actuators are an especially popular choice for systems requiring high-force automation equipment. These actuators rely on oil fluid compression.

    A variety of heavy-duty applications use hydraulic actuators to produce anywhere from ½ to 4,000 tons of force. These potential applications include:

    • Cargo handling
    • Large construction equipment
    • Military weapons
    • Marine propulsion
    • Transportation systems

    Advantages of Hydraulic Actuators

    Hydraulic actuators bring the following benefits to an operation:

    • Good strength-to-weight ratio: Hydraulic actuators can deliver tremendous force relative to their weight.
    • Safety: They include various safety features, including rod locks, dump valves that quickly dissipate energy, and bypass valves that close off high-pressure oil when generating motion.
    • Mobility: Hydraulic actuators are also compact enough to take on mobile operations, servicing trucks and other heavy transportation equipment.

    Pneumatic Actuators

    Most pneumatic actuators feature compression rates of 80 to 100 psi, making them a more stable and safe option for applications requiring less force. These actuators capture atmospheric air and compress it at higher pressures to generate motion. The specific parts of a pneumatic actuator include the actuator, storage tank, system of delivery hoses, motor and compressor unit.

    Advantages of Pneumatic Actuators

    The benefits of pneumatic actuators include:

    • Speed: The fastest actuators are pneumatic. Fast cycle rates contribute to greater productivity and profit.
    • Cost effectiveness: Pneumatic actuators have lower upfront costs compared to other actuators. They return their initial investment quickly, especially for moderate-duty applications.
    • Simplicity: Pneumatic actuators are relatively simple, so they are less likely to malfunction and easier to repair if they do.

    Electric Actuators

    Electric actuators use a motor to convert electric energy into torque, producing motion. They use a variety of mechanical components—gears, planetary roller screws, ball screws, lead screws—to generate linear energy from rotational energy.

    Small electric actuators are best for low- to medium-duty applications, such as packaging, factory robotics, automotive manufacturing and medical devices. Large electric actuators can produce up to 50,000 lbs of force.

    Advantages of Electric Actuators

    Electric actuators provide the following main benefits:

    • Speed: Electric actuators respond quickly to generate motion, with speeds of up to 20 in./sec.
    • Precision: Unlike hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, electric actuators are highly precise because they are not subject to inherent tolerances.
    • Cleanliness: Electric actuators use electricity, a clean energy source, eliminating the risk of leaks.

    Electric Actuators from Aries Engineering

    Aries Engineering produces the HyperCyl-EMA, one of the most reliable electromechanical actuators on the market. This servo-driven actuator works well for precision assembly applications and as substitutes for hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. Our electric actuators are capable of 0.0025 mm, ram speeds of up to 500 mm/sec, and up to 50,000 lbs of output. The HyperCyl-EMA has served customers in the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, appliance, electronics and transportation industries.

    Find the Actuator You Need at Aries Engineering

    Aries Engineering Co., Inc. manufactures a line of “hydra-pneumatic” presses and cylinders for many types of assembly applications. We pioneered oil/air compression in 1994 and continue to serve clients across the manufacturing, industrial automation, defense and commercial industries.

    If you would like to find out more about our HyperCyl-EMA electric actuators and other products, contact us today. To get started on your next solution, request a quote at any time.