Recently, a gate builder asked ACE Controls for a way to address the swing problem. The solution was to add two shock absorbers as close as possible to the pivot. This arrangement created a couple of inches of deceleration near the pivot, resulting in roughly two feet of deceleration at the gate end positions. The shock absorbers also manage a high effective weight — nearly all of it being a product of the hydraulic driving force.

The shock absorber series used in this swing gate application is the ACE Controls SC650. Ideal for soft damping, these miniature shock absorbers offer an energy capacity of 650 inch-pounds per cycle and 600,000 inch-pounds per hour. With a stroke length of 1 inch, this series is available with soft-contact minimal effective weights from 24 to 800 pounds, as well as maximum effective weights from 80 to 2,400 pounds. In addition, these self-compensating units can react to changing energy conditions without adjustment.

Additional features and specifications include:

• A maintenance-free, ready-to-install design.
• An integrated positive stop.
• Impact angles up to 25 degrees when used with a side load adapter.

Thanks to these attributes, the SC650 shock absorbers have effectively decelerated the moving gate energy, which is a very small portion of the system’s overall energy. Because most of the energy is from the hydraulics, the shock absorber can be thought of as the varying velocity flow control; as the shock absorber gradually slows, the hydraulic system slowly increases flow across the relief valves as if it has servo-controlled deceleration.

In addition to driveway gates, our soft-contact miniature shock absorbers are well-suited for industrial, automation and machine engineering applications — especially when it comes to parts and materials handling. Whether you need to eliminate the effects of vibrations or twisting in your machine, absorb impacts or simply ensure aesthetically pleasing motion, our miniature shock absorbers can provide just the right amount of deceleration control to meet your needs.

For more information about our soft-contact miniature shock absorbers, visit the product page.

The post How Miniature Shock Absorbers Eliminate Unwanted Vibrations in Driveway Swing Gates appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

While the machine was able to perform a variety of machining tasks, it was hindered by a recurring problem: Whenever an operator closed the access door, the door often bounced back in the opposite direction, creating additional, unwanted impacts and safety issues.

To ensure a controlled stop whenever an operator closes the door, the machine tool manufacturer implemented our MA225M miniature shock absorber. This maintenance-free, ready-to-install unit offers an energy capacity of 300 inch-pounds per cycle and 400,000 inch-pounds per hour. Available in a weight of 5 to 500 pounds, the shock absorber has a very short length of 4.67 inches and has a 0.75-inch stroke length. The MA225M provides soft damping with a return force range of 1.05 to 2.15 pounds, and it includes an integrated positive stop.

Thanks to the MA225M, the machine tool manufacturer was able to:

• Increase the door closure velocity, which in turn has increased production.
• Reduce the machine load.
• Ensure smooth damping whenever the door closes.
• Eliminate the possibility of operator injury.

Smooth, Controlled Closure Without Bounces
Access doors to powerful machines such as this turning-milling center are critical to keeping operators safe and nearby components undamaged. That means the damping devices that bear the doors’ frequent closures, as well as the machine’s constant operation, must be strong and reliable. A door that frequently bounces back is unacceptable.

Our miniature shock absorbers are designed to support up to 900 inch-pounds per cycle depending on the model, and they have a long operating lifetime that makes them well-suited for continuously operating equipment. When it comes to heavy-duty machinery, ACE Controls miniature shock absorbers can keep your access doors trouble-free.

For more information about our MA225M miniature shock absorbers, visit our product page.

The post Miniature Shock Absorbers Keep Turning-Milling Center Access Doors in Place appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Recently, Pinpoint Scientific of Bridgend, Wales, U.K. set out to develop an innovative active air monitoring and sampling system — the ImpactAir®-140. This sampler works by drawing in air at high speeds. Particles and microbes impact and stick onto an agar surface in a Petri dish, where the unit measures them as colony forming units (CFU) per cubic meter and then displays the results.

The ImpactAir-140 Slit-to-Agar microbial air sampler offers several advantages versus conventional monitoring systems such as stainless steel construction with no particle shedding, low vibrations, easy operation and higher sampling efficiency. Its most important breakthrough is a built-in system that constantly monitors and adjusts the distance between the indent and the agar surface — a factor that causes significant performance variations in other samplers.

Enabling Easy Control of the Lid

Pinpoint Scientific decided to make the ImpactAir-140 more user-friendly than previous generations of microbial air samplers. To make the lid to the Petri dish easier to operate, the company turned to a local ACE distributor, Applied Automation, to provide a motion control device. Although the distributor could have recommended industrial gas springs, the customer’s specific requirements made hydraulic dampers the optimal choice. These dampers provide a constant feed rate, combined with easy adjustability, and only have to be tapped lightly to trigger the lid to open. They also allow gentle closure without additional damping.

With the help of the ACE distributor, Pinpoint Scientific equipped its sampler with HB15-50 type hydraulic dampers. A 15-millimeter outer body diameter and 50-millimeter stroke make these components an ideal choice for easily opening and keeping the lid at the desired, 60-degree opening angle. Making adjustments at the end position is easy, and these dampers offer a compressive and extension force adjustment range from 20 to 800 Newtons.

Additional features include:

• A coated body
• Piston rods with rear-resistant surface treatment
• Long service life
• Maintenance-free and ready to install

Since the ImpactAir-140 is intended for critical laboratory and cleanroom environments, mineral oil could not be used as a damping medium. Instead, ACE engineers filled the dampers with a specially refined vegetable oil with a similar viscosity and service life. Pinpoint Scientific also engineered stainless steel sleeves to cover the outer bodies of the dampers to adhere to strict hygienic requirements.

Lids Without Limits

The ImpactAir-140 Slit-to-Agar microbial active air sampler is positioned as the new gold standard in active air monitoring and sampling. And, due to the high quality and long service life of the HB15-50 hydraulic dampers, there are no limits to how often the lid of this high high-end instrument can be opened or closed. “Working together quickly with our distributor, Applied Automation, led to the desired result for Pinpoint Scientific,” says Wyn Gordge, Area Manager for ACE Fabreeka UK.

For more information about our HB15-50 hydraulic damper, visit our product page. 

The post ACE Hydraulic Dampers Give Microbiological Sampler Users a Lift appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Ski cross is an increasingly popular alpine skiing competition that incorporates various elements of skiing, including freestyle maneuvers, airborne jumps and high-banked turns. Not only is ski cross unique among alpine events, but so too are the machines used to train its competitors. The Innsbruck Institute for Sports Science has one such machine.

When a world-class ski cross athlete recently put the institute’s machine to the test, he sent the carriage hurtling into the end position with such force that the operators worried that the impacts would damage the machine in a relatively short period of time. The machine builder decided to install shock absorbers to solve the problem.

The customer calculated that the shock absorbers must absorb impact velocities ranging from approximately 26 to 33 feet per second. At slower speeds, the impact forces will exceed 45,000 Newtons. For faster runs, impacts will reach as high as 80,000 Newtons. With the help of ACE Controls, the customer chose MA4575 industrial shock absorbers.

The MA4575 features an energy capacity of 11,506 in-lbs per cycle, absorbing 50 percent more energy than its predecessor but with a more compact design. Its large effective load range allows it to handle effective weights ranging from 661 to 1,102,311 pounds. The unit has a 2.91-inch stroke length and maximum length of 9.69 inches. Additional features of the MA4575 include:

• Front and rear progressive adjustment
• Annealed guide bearing
• Integrated positive stop
• Operating temperature range of 10 to 150°F

Look For High Force Capacity and Flexibility
When you’re building equipment to withstand high impacts at varying velocities, ACE Magnum industrial shock absorbers can help keep your machines up to speed without damage. The MA4575 has been helping the training machine absorb constantly changing impacts, and ski cross testing and training have resumed without interruption.

For more information about ACE Magnum shock absorbers, visit our product page.

The post Industrial Shock Absorbers Protect Ski Cross Training Machine From Damage appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

A Strong Yet Quiet Damping Mechanism

When a lift-type, or bascule, drawbridge like the Rengersbrug opens and closes, the deck makes heavy contact with the bridge structure. During a recent reconstruction of the Rengersbrug drawbridge, the engineers needed a damping mechanism that could withstand the damaging impact imposed by the deck when it moves—sometimes as much as 11 times per hour.

Previously, the drawbridge used a pair of compression springs to absorb the impact during closing. However, the forces from the heavy bridge deck regularly caused the springs to break. Noise was also an issue whenever the deck made contact with the springs. For these reasons, the engineers needed to install softer damping mechanisms.

ACE Controls Shock Absorbers Meet Success

To meet these requirements, engineers chose ACE Controls MC6450M industrial shock absorbers. These self-compensating units are available with energy capacities from 16,550 in-lbs per cycle to 50,000 in-lbs per cycle and strokes from 1.91 to 5.91 inches. A pair of MC6450M shock absorbers, each with a net weight of 6.4 pounds, were installed with the following specifications: a total weight of approximately 26,455 pounds with a 0.4-degree impact angle and an impact velocity of 0.79 feet per second.

The MC6450M Series is part of our MAGNUM range of industrial shock absorbers. In addition to offering high energy absorption, wide damping range and a compact design, this family of self-compensating shock absorbers reacts to changing energy conditions without adjustment. Other features include:

• A robust design
• A long service life
• Continuous outer thread
• Integrated hardened stop
• Mounting in any position
• Options available on request

Strength to Absorb a Moving Bridge Deck

Because drawbridges can be a vital link between towns, structural engineers need to make sure they have the right damping devices to keep the spans functional. Our MC6450M shock absorbers provided the reconstructed Rengersbrug drawbridge with exceptional energy absorption, controlling the deck’s deceleration and ensuring Lemmer and Brekkenpolder stay well-connected.

For more information about our MC6450M industrial shock absorber, visit our product page.

Learn More

The post Shock Absorbers Protect a Drawbridge Structure From Its Moving Deck appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Circuit breakers are an essential safeguard to electrical systems, but they can be vulnerable to mechanical damage. When a circuit breaker trips to open the circuit, the arm that carries the contact can move violently due to magnetic repulsion forces. The moveable contact can over-travel or bounce back, causing damage. Circuit breaker builders typically incorporate shock absorber elements into their designs to address the problem. Here’s how one manufacturer uses an ACE Controls miniature shock absorber in a circuit breaker design to dampen the impacts:

The circuit breaker — which will open in various emergency situations — operates in a medium voltage range between 7.2 and 38 kilovolts, and the lever’s impact speed is 4.25 feet per second. In this particular unit, the shock absorber is used to reduce forces over a wide and low temperature range.

The manufacturer chose an ACE Controls SC300-3 miniature shock absorber, part of the SC190 to SC925 product family. The “SC” stands for “soft contact,” which is made possible by the damper’s 0.75-inch long strokes. It features an energy capacity of 300 inch-pounds per cycle, and it can handle impact velocities from 0.5 to 12 feet per second. These self-compensating shock absorbers react to changing energy conditions without adjustment. SC190 to SC925 product family features and specifications include:

• Overlapping effective weight ranges, covering loads of 3 to 4,400 pounds.
• Units can be set up with a linear or a progressive braking curve.
• Impact angles up to 25 degrees using a side load adapter.
• Integrated positive stop.
• Maintenance-free and ready to install.

Using the SC300-3 miniature shock absorber, the circuit breaker manufacturer was able to achieve smooth arcing and bounceback at the end of an opening operation whenever fault conditions occur. And thanks to the shock absorber’s wide operating temperature range of 32 to 150°F, the shock absorber functions reliably in harsh temperatures.

Ensure a Safe, Functional Electronic System

Because circuit breakers are critical to keeping electronic systems safe and functional, people and personnel must have confidence in their reliability. A damaged circuit breaker due to over-travel and bounce-back issues is unacceptable. The ACE Controls SC190 to SC925 shock absorber family exhibits low reaction forces and provides smooth deceleration to ensure circuit breakers operate reliably over a long lifetime.

For more information about the ACE Controls SC190 to SC925 family of soft-contact miniature shock absorbers, visit the product page.

Learn More

The post Miniature Shock Absorbers Prevent Circuit Breaker Damage appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Many fast-moving production lines can experience damage and downtime when moving objects stop too suddenly on the line. A paper producer in Germany recently confronted this problem when it built a new conveyor system to move its paper rolls.

The company had two potential ways to handle the problem:

• Springs or bumpers, which provide good stopping force toward the end of a stroke but don’t absorb 100 percent of the energy and bounce back.
• Industrial shock absorbers, which can decelerate loads evenly across a full stroke to offer the lowest possible braking force in the shortest possible braking time.

Paper and Pulp Processing Without Interruption

The paper producer needed to move heavy paper rolls from machines onto the conveyor without damaging nearby equipment, particularly costly measuring devices. They chose an ACE Controls MA6450, part of ACE’s MAGNUM Series of industrial shock absorbers characterized by energy absorption up to 300,000 kilograms and progressive adjustment by means of adjusters both at the front and rear of the unit. With an energy capacity of 2,275 Newton-meters per cycle, the MA6450 is more than capable of ensuring damage-free paper roll transport. Additional features and specifications of the MA6450 include:

• Robust and durable construction.
• An annealed guide bearing and integrated positive stop.
• Stroke length: 48.6 millimeters.
• Adjustable effective weight: 220 kilograms to 50,000 kilograms.
• Appropriate for use in applications with changing data and where flexibility is required.
• Compact size.

ACE Controls was able to fit the shock absorber with specially designed pivot brackets to help support the paper rolls’ rotary motion. Today the paper producer enjoys an improved process as well as interruption-free production runs.

Keep Your Processes Rolling

With production efficiency and profitability depending on machine availability, it’s important to select a damper that stops moving loads evenly and safely before damage can occur. ACE Controls’ MAGNUM Series shock absorbers can handle a wide range of effective loads, offer high energy capacities and two-sided progressive adjustment and keep your industrial equipment safe from shock and impact.

For more information about ACE Controls industrial shock absorbers, visit the product page.

Learn More

The post Industrial Shock Absorbers Keep Papermaking Equipment Intact appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Christmas is around the corner. Due to the popularity of online shopping, the volume of packages is increasing. Sorting plants have to cope with these rising quantities—especially at peak times of the year. This demand places more pressure on sorting machines, which must be able to move at high speeds without losing packages.

Let’s explore how a new, high-end sorting system was experiencing vibration, which increased the risk that packages would fall off the conveyor. ACE miniature shock absorbers put a stop to this problem—ensuring fast, accurate deliveries.

A Leader in Sorting Machines
Equinox MHE provides turnkey logistic automation systems, including manual sorting, picking and warehouse management systems. Its sorting machines, in particular, integrate trays to transport products. When a product enters the machine, the system identifies it by scanning the barcode. A tray then transports the product to another station, where it is sorted, packed and shipped.

Troublesome Vibration Due to Tight Curves
Equinox MHE manufactures many kinds of sorting machines, including split tray sorters, which have a characteristic oval-shaped conveyor on which the trays circulate. To save on space, company engineers had designed a split tray sorter with a smaller curve radius. As a result of this design, the transported containers moved close together along the curves—causing vibration. In a worst-case scenario, this vibration could cause valuable cargo to fall off the conveyor.

To avoid this outcome, Equinox MHE contacted ACE.

ACE Mini Shock Absorbers Stop Centrifugal Forces
To meet this application’s requirements, ACE engineers installed MC150EUM miniature shock absorbers on the sorters. These maintenance-free devices feature a hermetically sealed rolling diaphragm, which completely separates the damping fluid from the surrounding air and also delivers low return forces. Despite their small size, they also have an energy capacity of 20 Nm per cycle—or 34,000 Nm per hour with a stroke of just 150 mm.

When installed in the split tray sorter, the shock absorbers instantly smoothed out the movements of the trays traveling along the curves—successfully reducing the troublesome vibration and eliminating the risk that packages would topple out.

In addition to packaging equipment, they’re suitable for a variety of automated applications, including material handling equipment, robotics, machine tools—and more.

Download the full case study to learn more.

Download The Case Study

The post Shock Absorbers Reduce Vibration in Compact Sorting System [Case Study] appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

If your application involves rotary motion, it’s important to consider how you mount your shock absorbers. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the common issues that can arise and provide you with some helpful tips on how to maximize your shock absorber’s lifespan and damping capability.

Challenge #1: Side Load
Let’s consider a packaging machine that incorporates rotary motion. In cases like this, the machine’s rotary movement can cause side load on the piston rod—leading to wear and tear and lowering the shock’s lifespan.

ACE Tip: Whenever you encounter a lateral impact angle greater than 2 degrees, you can incorporate a side load adaptor, which removes the side loading from the piston rod to achieve considerably longer life.

Challenge #2: Moving Your Mounting Point
Sometimes your shock absorber—which is already sized for a specific mounting point—needs to move closer to the pivot point. Now, the shock absorber is too soft and can’t absorb the energy properly.

In rotary applications, moving the mounting point will impact the stiffness of the damper, as well as the effective weight—a calculation that considers the total energy affecting your shock absorber and the impact velocity on the damper:

$$ \large{\mathsf{W_E=\frac{2 \times W_3}{V_D {^2}}}} $$

• W_E = effective weight
• W₃ = complete energy that affects the damper
• V_D = impact velocity on the damper

ACE Tip: In rotary applications, moving a shock absorber closer to the pivot point increases its effective weight. You can use this value to help you select the right shock absorber for the new mounting point.

In one case example, the original mounting point on a rotary machine called for an ACE MC600 miniature shock absorber, which has a maximum effective weight of 136 kg. Because the damper moved closer to the pivot point, however, the application required a stiffer damper with a higher effective weight capacity. In this case, the original unit was swapped out for an MC600MH3 shock absorber, which has a maximum effective weight of 4,536 kg.

Learn More
With our free ACE calculation program, you can size shock absorbers for almost every movement and application. Visit our calculations page to learn more.

LEARN MORE

The post ACE Tips: Mounting Your Shock Absorber in Rotary Applications appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Challenge #1: Moving Masses
It’s not always possible to mount your shock absorber in the center of a moving mass—which is often the case in Cartesian robot systems. For one, moving masses have a wide impact surface, which can make it difficult to place your shock absorber exactly in the middle.

ACE tip. To avoid torsion in these types of applications, simply mount two shock absorbers on the left and right of the outer impact area of the mass. Make sure that you mount both dampers at the same height, however, otherwise they won’t be parallel.

Challenge #2: Limited Mounting Space
Sometimes your application might not have enough space to mount a large damper. Again, the solution is to mount several smaller dampers in parallel. This kind of mounting will effectively decelerate your moving mass despite the limited space.

ACE tip. Use self-compensating dampers, which you can size according to the exact stiffness requirements of your application. This ensures every damper of the same model and weight will have the same stiffness and damping characteristics. Adjustable dampers, on the other hand, are too difficult to adjust equally—creating differences in stiffness that can cause the moving mass to impact each damper differently.

Size Your Damper In Minutes
Using our free calculation program and online sizing tool, you can size shock absorbers and gas springs for nearly any load and direction within minutes. For particularly difficult or complex applications, our application engineers are ready to help.

To get started, visit www.acecontrols.com/us/calculations.html.

Use Our Free Calculator  

The post ACE Tips: How to Mount Two Shock Absorbers in Parallel appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..