Product News - 'Smart' Cylinder Combines Position Feedback And Power

'Smart' Cylinder Combines Position Feedback And Power

Balluff has teamed up with Hydro-Line to offer a 'smart' cylinder with an embedded linear position sensor. Hydro-Line's new HLT II hydraulic cylinder now incorporates Balluff's Micropulse magnetostrictive linear position sensor (May/Jun '98 PA, p 38) to provide precise feedback for a variety of position-critical applications. Please contact Hydro-Line directly for pricing information. Use the Key Contact Directory on p 74.

The companies collaborated to design a flange that would allow complete encapsulation of the Micropulse within the cylinder's cap. This total encapsulation of the electronic components (with the exception of the power connector) eliminates the possibility of damage to electronics protruding from the cap, and isolates the sensor from the environment.

The HLT II's Micropulse magnetostrictive sensor is said to have linearity of ±0.02%, hysteresis of 0.00004 in. and 'sub-millisecond' analog update times. They operate on 24v dc and are protected against reverse polarity with ± 15v dc operation available as an option.

The HLT II has bore sizes from 1.5 to 30 in., a displacement range to 142 in. and a temperature range from -40 to 185 F. Steel heads and caps provide flat and parallel mounting surfaces, while ensuring correct alignment of tubing and rod cartridges. Mounting styles are NFPA-interchangeable for all bore sizes.

It is available in three pressure ranges. Hydraulic N5 cylinders are rated to 3000 psi, hydraulic HR5 to 1500 psi and pneumatic AN5 and LAN5 to 250 psi. SAE ports are standard on N5 and HR5, with NPFT ports available at no extra cost. NPFT ports are standard on AN5 and LAN5. Metric, BSP, manifold, flange and other porting options are also available.

The rod cartridge is machined from gray cast iron for maximum bearing support and wear resistance. The unitized, threadless assembly is pilot-fitted into the head on a precision-bored diameter to ensure concentricity.

Piston rods are made from high-yield, hard-chrome-plated steel polished to 8 to 14µ in. for long seal life. Other rod materials, including 14-4 PH stainless steel, are also available.

Balluff Inc.
Florence, KY 

Hydro-Line, Inc.
Rockford, IL