PECM Issue 36 2019 | Page 78

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS STRONG GROWTH TREND FESTO SPACE AND COST ISSUES RESOLVED WITH DLGF FLAT RODLESS CYLINDER FROM FESTO Festo already has the widest range of rodless cylinders available, but it is broadening customer choice even further with the introduction of an outstanding new, clean line variant. Called DLGF, the new rodless cylinder is designed to significantly reduce design time and cost in applications where space is at a premium. Rodless pneumatic cylinders are typically used where mounting space is restricted. They eliminate the protuberance of the barrel of a standard pneumatic cylinder by coupling the internal piston within the cylinder barrel to the external carriage via an axial slot. The piston and carriage run the whole length of the barrel, with the air pressure being retained by a seal running the entire length of the cylinder. There is only a short ‘dead space’ at either end of the cylinder to accommodate the end caps and cushioning arrangement – saving nearly 50% of the length of a standard piston rod arrangement. The DLGF rodless cylinder from Festo has been designed to further reduce the space envelope and lower costs with award- winning1 innovative design features. 78 PECM Issue 36 It is suitable for light to medium loads and features an ultra slim oval profile. Available in stroke lengths of up to 1000mm, the DLGF is available with piston areas equivalent to diameters of 20, 25, 32 and 40mm. It is perfect for applications where installation space is at a premium, including pick-and place, small parts transfer and circuit board handling. In developing the DLGF rodless cylinder, Festo focussed on delivering high performance at a very competitive price. The DLGF uniquely offers PPS self-adjusting cushioning, ensuring optimal damping regardless of the mass being moved. This saves setup time and makes processes more reliable by eliminating excessive shock loadings and vibrations that can adversely affect machine performance and product reliability, as well as generating unnecessary noise. New sealing technology reduces air leakage, delivering lower operational costs and longer service life. The DLGF saves designers a lot of time. It is highly configurable, providing a wide choice of supply port positions that enable piping to be routed out of the way, increasing mounting flexibility in tight spaces. Shock absorbers can be specified or fitted later if required.