Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders are off-the-shelf devices standardised to be readily available across the globe without any dimension deviation. Interchangeability is ensured by ISO and NFPA by issuing guidelines in the form of standards. Want to know those standards that make interchangeable cylinders dimensionally fixed, the advantages of interchangeables over non-interchangeables, and ways to select the right one? This guide is for you. Keep reading and exploring!
A] Understanding Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders
1. What are interchangeable pneumatic cylinders?
Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders follow a set of standards issued by the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) to maintain exact dimensions of pneumatic cylinders without dependency on a single manufacturer. It offers flexibility to users, allowing them to get pneumatic cylinders from any manufacturer without worrying about fitting issues. It prevents ventor-lock in constraints and allows users to look for cost-effective options from different vendors assembling pneumatic cylinders.
The following are ISO metrics that are followed globally to ensure cylinders have standard dimensions and mounting capability:
- ISO 15552: The common international standard for maintaining required dimensions, mounting interfaces, and accessories. It ensures every mounting and accessory can be used interchangeably.
- ISO 6432: This standard provides guidelines for smaller and round pneumatic cylinders, also known as mini cylinders, with diameters ranging from 8mm to 25mm.
NFPA standards are specifically applied to the North American market, which is the counterpart of ISO standards.
2. How they differ from non-interchangeable cylinders
Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders are standardised by the ISO and NFPA. It instructs manufacturers to maintain the dimensions and location of the pneumatic cylinder’s components, like mountings, ports, and rod threads, and the cylinder itself. On the other hand, non-interchangeable cylinders are not regulated by the regularities involved. It prevents users from procuring them from different manufacturers, limiting users to a single vendor that has sold them non-interchangeable pneumatic cylinders.
B] Key Benefits of Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders
The following are the several benefits of interchangeable pneumatic cylinders:
1. Reduced Downtime
Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders reduce downtime by allowing users to procure the cylinder’s components from any reliable manufacturer without being dependent on a specific vendor. It smoothens the maintenance or replacement process and thus reduces downtime.Â
2. Simplified Procurement
The advantage of buying the components from any manufacturer simplifies the procurement process. It allows users to have streamlined inventory management due to easy availability.
3. Cost Savings
It lets users get the requirements from a wide range of vendors based on cost-effectiveness, resulting in higher cost savings on procurement. Also, the reduced downtime and simplified procurement lead to more cost savings in the long run.
4. Compatibility
Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders have a universal design, dimension, and components regardless of who has manufactured them. As a result, it provides compatibility with multiple brands and models, offering no constraint on compatibility.
C] Advantages Over Non-Interchangeable Models
Now, let’s explore the interchangeable pneumatic cylinders’ advantage over non-interchangeable cylinders and see how interchangeable cylinders excel over non-interchangeables:
1. Faster Replacement
Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders offer faster replacement by providing easy accessibility to the parts required for replacement. The wide availability allows users to do so and prevents downtime extension. Conversely, users with non-interchangeable cylinders are deprived of this advantage, which is faster replacement.
2. Better Scalability
Non-interchangeable cylinders pose scalability challenges due to the dependability of parts on each other, preventing users from adding or removing individual parts from the cylinders. On the other hand, interchangeable cylinders are guarded by the ISO and NFPA standards, which instruct manufacturers to maintain the universal design and dimensions. It allows users to get the parts easily, which helps tremendously in growing production lines or scaling operations.
3. Improved Operational Flexibility
Non-interchangeable pneumatic cylinders have custom-made parts that require access to the proprietary manufacturer and skilled artisans to make changes in the system. It doesn’t let the operations be flexible. On the other hand, interchangeable cylinders offer flexibility to buy parts from a wide range of manufacturers without facing proprietary and artisan challenges. Consequently, plant operations become more flexible and efficient.
D] Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders: Industry Applications
The following are the applications of interchangeable pneumatic cylinders across industries:
- Packaging Machinery: The ability to convert compressed air’s energy into mechanical motion allows packaging machinery to perform a variety of applications, like pick and place operations, carton shaping, sealing, product sorting, and capping.
- Food and Beverage Processing: Interchangeable pneumatic cylinders get contamination-free air from air compressors. It makes them highly efficient for the applications where contamination is forbidden. In the F&B industry, the cylinders are used for packaging, sorting, handling, and assembly.
- Automotive Assembly Lines: The ability to convert energy into linear motion enables automotive assembly lines to utilise these cylinders for clamping, material handling, robotic tooling, and tool changing.
E] Selecting the Right Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinder
When choosing the right interchangeable Pneumatic cylinders, ensure they have matching operating pressure, stroke length, and bore size. Also, verify acceptable duty cycle and peak pressure tolerance to avoid premature wear.Â
Also, ensure the following while selecting the cylinder:
- Align the cylinder’s stroke with the requirements. Ensure the speed of the stroke matches the needed movement. You can consider alternating short and long-stroke options and multi-rod configurations to achieve the desired mechanical movement and reach.
- To select the correct bore size, calculate the required force and add the safety margin to the force to negate the friction. Now check the available pressure of the cylinder. Use the force calculator and find the correct bore diameter. Ensure you always select the next largest bore size to ensure sufficient force generation.
- Ensure they are ISO certified to get the features of interchangeability. Also, always choose those suppliers that have FESTO certification, like Bimpex, a FESTO distributor in India, to get high-quality, internationally quality-tested, and durable parts for interchangeable pneumatic cylinders.
Conclusion
nterchangeable pneumatic cylinders are easy and worry-free energy-converting devices for facilities that require a contamination-free environment. Follow the suggested selection checklist to procure suitable interchangeable pneumatic cylinders for your facility.Â
Bimpex is the largest air compressor supplier in Mumbai, known for manufacturing and supplying heavy-duty, durable, and cost-effective air compressors for a wide range of applications. We also offer FESTO-backed products and parts for interchangeable pneumatic cylinders. Contact us now to know more!