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Product category: Pneumatic Actuators, Motors, Accessories
News Release from: Bosch Rexroth - Pneumatics | Subject: Octagon OCT cylinder
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 27 May 2004

Miniature cylinder is a forceful
performer

A device claimed as the most cost-effective, innovative mini ISO pneumatic cylinder on the global market offers up to 15% more piston force for the same diameter.

A device claimed as the most cost-effective, innovative mini ISO pneumatic cylinder on the global market offers up to 15% more piston force for the same diameter and additional functionality at no extra premium Complying with ISO6432 dimensional criteria and fully interchangeable with all competitive models, Rexroth's Octagon OCT cylinder series features a unique eight-sided piston rod, which allows nonrotatable versions to be offered as standard

It is currently available in diameters from 10 to 25mm, extending to 8-32mm in the near future, and a complete range of single- and double-acting formats.

The compact, lightweight design of the OCT cylinder, notably the low profile clip-on arrangement for mechanical and electronic sensors, the ability to downsize due to increased piston force, and the standard option of pre-assembled Quickfix connections, all make it easier for OEMs to simplify the design and construction of machines, thus saving on cost.

The use of corrosion-resistant materials as standard and the no-cost option of nonrotatable piston rods introduce further significant economies.

The UK product launch is part of a major pan-European marketing push by Rexroth, targeting continental sales of ISO mini cylinders totalling upwards of Eur 92 million annually.

Rexroth's sales and service centre in Cirencester has been especially equipped to produce nonstandard stroke lengths for the UK market, thanks to OCT's innovative construction, and is initiating a major cylinder exchange programme, in a bid to maximise market share.

Rexroth is the world's fourth largest manufacturer of pneumatic components, with eight production sites and more than GBP 400 million in global sales, and has developed a radical new design to meet worldwide customer demand for compact, inexpensive cylinders that comply with universal industry standards, yet offer extensive product variety and clear technical advantages.

Featuring a unique octagonal stainless-steel rod, the OCT has a truly innovative construction, with a robust, anodised extruded-aluminium casing and standard end caps moulded from engineering-grade polyamide plastic.

These materials are highly corrosion-resistant and suitable for use in harsh operating environments, as well as withstanding impact damage.

The result is a compact, lightweight pneumatic actuator that can be readily assembled in non-standard lengths, without special swaging machinery, and designed for a 3000km minimum stroke life.

Competitively priced as a replacement part or original equipment, the OCT cylinder is suitable for countless applications in automation, food processing, packaging, electronics, conveying, car manufacture, bottling, machine tools, woodworking, instrumentation and many other sectors.

Rexroth is also offering CAD files in a whole selection of standard 2D and 3D formats, to ease changeover for OEMs and system integrators.

Produced in standard increments up to a maximum 500mm stroke length, with nonstandard sizes available to order within three working days, the series includes single-acting cylinders with an internal mechanical spring, in extended and retracted formats, as well as double-acting versions with mechanical or adjustable air cushioning, double piston rods and hollow rods for passing fluid through.

All are available with threaded connections, in the range M5 to G1/8, and with optional pre-assembled Quickfix fittings (4mm for 10-16mm diameters, 6mm for 20-32mm diameters), for neater, easier push-in connections.

The octagonal piston rod configuration means that all versions can be non-rotating at no additional cost, a simple rotation lock and pins being incorporated during cylinder assembly.

Nor are there the sealing problems encountered with square non-rotatable rods.

The octagonal profile also has a larger surface area and delivers more power for the same diameter, a typical 20mm-diameter piston rod giving a theoretical pressure force of 215N, against a conventional cylinder's rating of 188N, an increase of around 15%.

This means a cheaper, smaller diameter OCT cylinder can often be specified for a given application.

All OCT cylinders are equipped with a magnetic piston, for providing feedback on positioning to the control circuit.

The design also features a unique low-profile sensor mounting, for attaching mechanical reed switches or solid-state electronic PNP sensors.

On a typical 25mm-diameter version, the overall height with mounted sensor is just over 35mm, compared with 46mm for a conventional model, ensuring a smaller installation footprint and allowing more cylinders to be grouped together in a restricted space.

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