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..

When it comes to thermoforming machinery, ensuring the safety of nearby workers is a critical aspect of their design. Not only do these machines weigh several tons, they have many moving parts, built-in heating ovens and presses that require a barrier to separate workers from dangerous functions. In general, once the machine is up and running in automatic mode, there should be little employee involvement with the machine — unless or until something goes wrong with the equipment or when maintenance is needed.

To provide access, thermoforming machines have heavy doors or hoods that must stay open long enough for the worker to complete their task. One ACE customer built a thermoforming machine to include a clear glass access hood that weighs more than 110 pounds. They needed to add a support mechanism to hold the heavy door in the open position.

They chose an ACE Controls GS-22-300-CC-VA gas spring. This push-type gas spring with 11.81-inch stroke has a maximum extension force of 247 pounds — an ideal amount of muscle to support heavy loads, and a lifetime of approximately 250,000 cycles, making it well-suited for heavy-duty applications like thermoforming machines. The GS-22-300-VA Series is part of ACE’s industrial family of gas springs with extension force capabilities ranging from 2 to 2,923 pounds (10 to 13,000N) and body diameters from 0.31 to 2.76 inches (8 to 70 millimeters). Additional features and specifications include:

• Stainless steel construction and a wear-resistant steel piston rod.
• An end position damping length of approximately 0.79 to 2.76 inches (depending on the stroke).
• A design that allows for mounting in any position, although mounting with the piston rod downwards is most effective.

To get the proper size and fit for, customers can access ACE Controls’ online sizing and configuration tool and enter details about the intended installation. The tool will generate interactive 2D and 3D simulations that the user can rotate, tilt and zoom.

Thanks to an ACE Controls industrial gas spring, the thermoforming machine builder is able to keep the heavy glass hood open for as long as needed without worrying about the hood injuring operators or maintenance personnel.

Reliable Gas Springs Ensure Worker Safety

Because hoods on thermoforming machines are critical to keeping nearby people safe, the devices that bear their heavy weight and ensure their functionality must be strong and reliable. A hood that closes prematurely is unacceptable. ACE Controls push-type industrial gas springs are designed to support loads as high as nearly 3,000 pounds, depending on the model, and have a long operating lifetime. For your heavy-duty machinery like thermoforming equipment, it pays to have industrial gas springs under the hood.

For more information about the ACE Controls GS-22-300-VA industrial gas spring, visit our product page.

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When a homeowner wanted to install a sushi freezer within a confined space without obstructing other nearby appliances, an ACE Controls gas spring played a vital role in economizing that space. Sean Moloney, the contractor working on the project, had to install the approximately $3,000 sushi freezer – which stores contents at temperatures down to -60ºF – along with a beverage refrigerator and countertops. In addition, he had to work with the following constraints:

• The sushi freezer was to be installed beneath a staircase, to the right of a beverage refrigerator (housed in a triangular cabinet) with a front-facing door.
• A 49-pound white oak countertop lid with a piano-type hinge had to open first, providing access to the freezer within the enclosure, which also opened from the top.
• Because a user can’t hold the heavy, wooden lid for long, it had to stay in place when opened.

Sean needed a gas spring that could support the heavy load and whose range of motion would provide maximum access when open, but without it hitting and damaging the angular stairway above the appliances. Understanding the investment the owner was laying out for the freezer, refrigerator and oak countertops, Sean knew that an inexpensive piston would not be sufficient for the job. He searched online for a gas spring with the quality that the project demanded and found acecontrols.com. He chose to install two GS-19-200-AA Push-type industrial gas springs to support the countertop lid. The heavy-duty gas springs offered the following features and characteristics:

• Able to handle forces from 2 to 2,923 pounds (10 to 13,000N).
• Extension force of 157 pounds.
• 7.87 inches of stroke.
• Body diameter of 0.31 to 2.76 inches (8 to 70 mm).
• Ready to install and requires zero maintenance.

Although Sean began the project with his own calculations, an ACE Controls engineer worked with him to revise his opening angle and range of motion. He also recalculated the mounting positions on the lid and cabinet. Taken together, these calculations provided an optimal fit.

You Can’t Put a Price On Safety
The homeowner’s main concern going into the project was user safety. Should the 49-pound lid fall on a user’s hands or hit the user on the head, it would likely cause serious injury. That’s why Sean opted for the premium quality of the ACE Controls GS-19-200-AA gas spring. He reports the industrial gas spring is supporting the weight of the countertop just fine, and the homeowner is really happy with it. Says Moloney, “it gives an assurance to the owner that it is a professionally engineered product.”

For more information about ACE Controls’ GS-19-200-AA Industrial Gas Spring, visit www.acecontrols.com.

The post Gas Springs Provide Easy, Safe Access to Customized Sushi Freezer Installation appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

ACE Tips: The Advantages of Modular Gas Springs
Gas springs with interchangeable end fittings provide many benefits. The ability to mix and match various connections improves application flexibility and facilitates installation. In the following blog, we’ll provide some helpful tips to help you mount your gas spring while making the most of its modular design:

Mix and Match Accessories
Let’s say you’re mounting two gas springs in parallel to decelerate a horizontal-hinged hood. In this case—as in all cases—proper mounting is essential. Mounting your springs incorrectly could cause them to wear prematurely or experience torsion-related seal damage.

ACE tip: In situations like this, simply screw on an end fitting with a swivel eye to enable more movement and minimize the risk of torsion.

The modular design also lets you attach your gas spring to mounting brackets should your application require them. Thanks to the interchangeable end fittings, mixing and matching these accessories is easy and makes the mounting process quick and painless.

ACE tip: Our product code system provides a simple, clear way to shop around for gas springs based on your application’s requirements. Each set of letters and numbers in the product code corresponds to gas spring type (push or pull), cylinder diameter, stroke, rod end fitting, body end fitting and extension force, respectively.

Customized and Ready to Ship in 24 Hours
Visit our gas springs calculations page—available 24 hours a day, seven days a week—to customize your gas spring in just a few minutes. Based on your data, we’ll size your spring and send you a technical proposal complete with mounting points. We’ll also include all the end fittings and mounting equipment you’ll need. You’ll then receive your customized, modular gas spring in as little as 24 hours from order finalization.

Visit our online calculations page to get started.

The post ACE Tips: The Advantages of Modular Gas Springs appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Hydraulic dampers are ideal anytime you need doors, flaps or hoods to close in a smooth, controlled way. Similar to industrial gas springs, these components provide single or bidirectional motion control for a range of applications. They are also adjustable—letting you stabilize movement in both the push and pull directions—and easy to mount.

In this post, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips on how to best mount your hydraulic damper—ensuring it operates safely and with minimal wear.

Choosing Your Damper
Hydraulic dampers come in a wide range of sizes with different end fittings, strokes and compression and extension forces. Choosing the right one depends on the required damping direction—out-stroke only, in-stroke only or both directions—as well as the mounting conditions and weight of the flap. To assist you, experts can provide you with mounting points so the only thing you’ll need to adjust during installation is velocity. If the damping is too fast, simply turn the piston rod in the end position to the right to close the orifice. If the damping is too slow, turn the rod to the left to open the orifice.

Accounting for Mounting Variables
If you need to mount your damper outside, bear in mind that drastic temperature changes can change the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid. Fortunately, ACE dampers let you easily adjust your device to account for these changing conditions.

ACE tips: To avoid free travel in the damping stroke, we recommend choosing a damper with a longer complete stroke or using an HBD damper, which does not allow for free travel. Improper assembly can cause damaging end-position wear. Proper assembly, on the other hand, ensures your flap will close with uniform velocity.

Selecting the right hydraulic damper for your application has never been easier. To get started, check out our free calculations service.

The post ACE Tips: How to Mount Your Hydraulic Damper appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Let’s take a look at some of the common ones you’ll see, as well as examples of their typical uses:

Push-type gas springs to lift and lower loads. These gas springs suit devices that lift or lower loads with easy control and minimal exertion. They support covers and lids in many industries, including automation and machine building, medical technology, electronics—and more.

Pull-type gas springs to fit constrained spaces. These compact springs can mount in any orientation and position. Unlike push-type springs, the gas pressure in the cylinder retracts the piston rod. Pull-type gas springs are used in various industrial applications, as well as medical devices, electronics and furniture.

Locking gas springs to hold a position. Many chair-type applications, such as mobility systems, need to maintain a certain position to support the end user. For example, when a person triggers a chair into motion by pressing a button or lever, a piston valve opens—extending the spring and moving the seat into position. When the user triggers the seat again, the valve closes, locking the piston rod—and chair—into position.

Rust-inhibiting gas springs to protect against corrosion. Many gas spring vendors offer rust-inhibiting versions of their standard models to protect against corrosion in food or hygienically sensitive areas. ACE Controls, for example, offers standard gas springs with an advanced UV coating or stainless steel outer bodies that can also be filled with food-grade oil—conforming to FDA standards.

To learn more about gas spring design and customization, download our latest white paper.

Download the White Paper

The post Your Guide to Gas Spring Design and Customization: Part II appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

The next few blogs will provide a helpful overview of what you need to know about gas spring design and customization. We’ll explore the various gas spring types, selection data, proper mounting—and more.

Let’s kick off the series with a look at standard versus engineered springs.

Standard Gas Springs Can Bring Unintended Results

While standard gas springs can be a quick and inexpensive purchase, a lot can go wrong during sizing and implementation. For one, off-the-shelf springs commonly offer one of three choices of output force. Will one of those forces be exactly right? Either way, you may get unintended results. If the factory-supplied output force doesn’t succeed, for example, your hood or lid may open unexpectedly.

In addition, standard gas springs can come with the wrong end fittings. Situations like these can cause you to spend unnecessary time trying different forces or modifying your assembly—inflating your labor expenses and delaying your operation.

An Engineered Solution Offers Many Benefits

An engineered gas spring, on the other hand, refers to a premium custom part that is adjusted according to your unique specifications. The added investment pays off via the time and labor cost savings that result when your gas spring works to perfection. ACE Controls’ customer support combines online tools and knowledgeable engineering staff to assist you in making the necessary modifications to your standard gas spring—including recommending the correct end fittings to make installation easier.

To learn more about designing and customizing gas springs, download our latest white paper. And stay tuned for more upcoming posts on this topic.

Download the White Paper

The post Your Guide to Gas Spring Design and Customization: Part I appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

For motion systems, crashes can be catastrophic—causing anything from inconvenient repairs to costly system downtime. One company, however, has successfully found a way to minimize the dangers of crashes on its linear axes using profile dampers from ACE Controls. You can easily install these small, yet durable components on rails as end-position dampers, protecting both the components and larger system in the event of a crash.

Let’s take a look at how ACE profile dampers did the trick:

Controlling Impact In The End Position

LISCO specializes in designing and manufacturing various motion control products, from individual axes to entire linear axis systems. Recently, the company sought to improve the safety of its linear axes, which are used in many demanding applications, including material handling and delivery systems. Specifically, LISCO needed a way to control the impact in the end position should a software error or power failure occur. The resulting damage could lead to very costly repairs or even downtime for the entire system.

ACE Profile Dampers Fit The Bill

Since LISCO’s linear axes include profile rails and guides, it made sense to find a compact, easy-to-install solution that engineers could simply attach to the left and right of each rail. TUBUS profile dampers (type TA17-7) from ACE Controls fulfilled these requirements.

TUBUS profile dampers feature a copolyester elastomer—a material that only heats up slightly and ensures consistent damping during operation. These components are also a cost-effective alternative to hydraulic dampers, saving money on the overall construction of the linear system without compromising safety. Additionally, they feature a space-saving size of 12 to 116 mm and can be installed quickly and easily using a special screw.

After integrating the dampers on its equipment, LISCO couldn’t be happier with the results. The company is now confident its linear axes will remain protected from crashes—should failure ever occur.

To learn more, download our latest case study.

Download The Case Study  

The post ACE Profile Dampers Protect Motion Systems From Dangerous Crashes appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..

Here’s how these components met the demands of the actuator—and improved the overall safety of the oil refinery:

Special Safety Valves Open 50 Times Faster. The oil refinery, located in Yanbu, condenses and liquefies natural gas for transport using explosion-proof compressors, which regulate the pressure in the pipes. If the pressure dips too low, the compressors switch on. If the pressure gets too high, they switch off. To ensure these compressors maintain the right working pressure while simultaneously avoiding overpressure, DGI developed special pneumatic actuators. Should overpressure occur, the system’s built-in pneumatic cylinder opens the large, 24-inch safety valve. Normally, throttle valves open at a speed of one second per inch—but DGI designed its valves to open 50 times faster.

At the same time, DGI needed a way to safely absorb the energy generated by the valves as they opened. The company teamed up with ACE Controls to incorporate hydraulic shock absorbers that could emergency-stop the piston rods on the cylinders.

MAGNUM Shock Absorbers: The Last Line Of Defense. Due to the small size of the actuators, ACE engineers selected their compact, yet powerful MAGNUM industrial shock absorbers (type MA3325). When the valves open, the rod makes contact with the shock absorbers, which engineers positioned in the front and rear of the cylinder. The dampers then fully stop and control the piston rod as it moves horizontally.

Without the absorbers in place as the system’s final safety measure, a number of devastating things could happen. The cylinder, actuator and compressor could experience irrevocable damage. Toxic gas could also leak out and potentially trigger an explosion—endangering personnel, the environment and other nearby facilities.

For these reasons, ACE shock absorbers are part of the Yanbu success story—and have improved the overall safety of the plant. To learn more about this application, download our latest case study.

Download The Case Study  

The post ACE Industrial Shock Absorbers Improve Oil Refinery Safety Valves appeared first on ACE Controls Inc..