Helpful Hints - Peninsular Configurator

Model LM  NFPA Pneumatic Cylinders

"Selecting the Correct Cylinder Mounting Style"

There are approximately 24 individual standard cylinder mounting styles applicable to NFPA pneumatic cylinders as outlined by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA).  Scroll down to view our mounting style charts for all of Peninsular's Model LM Medium-Duty Aluminum pneumatic cylinders.

To select the correct cylinder mount required for your application you should make sure that all of your design calculations are correct and that your application requirements are fully understood. Some important issues (but not all) to consider are as follows:

  1. Amount of weight (load) that is to be moved.
     

  2. Is the load moving in a vertical or horizontal direction?
     

  3. Is the stroke travel unsupported or is it guided or supported in any way?

  4. Is the load being moved in only one direction or is it being moved in both directions of the cylinder stroke? If in only in one direction, is it on the push (extended stroke) or the pull (retracted stroke) of the cylinder.

  5. What is the air line pressure that is driving the cylinder ?

  6. Do you want the cylinder to “pivot” when the stroke occurs or do you want it moving in a straight line with the fixed directional mount of the cylinder.

  7. Once an intermediate trunnion mount cylinder is ordered, it is most important to know the XI dimension; this will tell us where to locate the center trunnion between the front and rear cylinder end caps. Note: If the extended piston rod feature is selected for this mount there will be a change to the stated XI dimension. Specify the XI dimension under the configurable optional features section of our configurator. If an extended piston rod or stop tube is required, these features must be selected first before selecting the XI dimension. Please contact us if confusion arises because of this issue.

  8. When selecting a clevis or eye mounted cylinder (pivoting cylinder) make sure that all clevis pins are properly greased at the time of installation; failure to do so will lead to premature cylinder failure. Peninsular supplies a tube of grease with all pivot mounted cylinders such as trunnion mounts, clevis mounts and eye mounts.

  9. When selecting lug mounted cylinders you may want to "key" the lug mounts. These keys aid in the prevention of premature cylinder failure by providing structural support for the cylinder tie rods and the bolts that are used in fastening the lugs to the mounting surface of the cylinder.

  10. When selecting flange mounted cylinders the weight of the cylinder becomes important.  You may want to consider using a “square head or cap” mount for heavier cylinders to reduce the stress imposed upon the flange plate and the mounting screws. Note that many cylinder manufacturers have different shapes and dimensions for their rod cartridge retaining plates. Note that rod cartridge retaining plates are not specified NFPA dimensions, and as a result, careful attention should be paid to the dimensions of the rod cartridge retaining plate especially if it is used in conjunction with a “pilot dimension” to mount a flange type cylinder.

  11. When selecting head tie rod extended, or head and cap tie rod extended cylinders careful attention should again be paid to the dimensions of the rod cartridge if it is used as a pilot dimension to mount extended tie rod mounted cylinders into the tooling system. Rod cartridge dimensions are not specified by the NFPA, and as a result, many cylinder manufactures have different dimensions associated with their rod cartridges.

By understanding issues like many of the ones noted above, you will be in a better position to select the best cylinder mount correctly suited for your application. You may view our cylinder mounting style chart by scrolling down.

Confused? If you need any assistance please feel free to call us toll free at (800) 526-7968 in the USA or Canada or at (586) 775-7211. You may also e-mail us at sales@peninsularcylinders.com.

 

Model LM - NFPA Mounting Styles

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