As a general rule, cylinder strokes should not be run in their entirety. Pistons are not supposed to hit either the head (or the cap) of the cylinder, and reduced strokes help avoiding shocks and jerks. However, V260 CF cylinders are completely different. Why?
Full Stroke-Out
With V260 cylinders, if the rod is not completely extended while reaching the outward position, locking sectors will not open up entirely. Therefore, their locking effect will prove to be quite poor or fail completely. So, unless the cylinder completes its full stroke-out, then it cannot be used properly.
Full Stroke-In
When it comes to inward strokes, things are a little more complicated. There are several reasons to always reach the full stroke-in position:
- Rear switch. This type of switches cannot be actuated unless the piston gets completely back in.
- Safety seals. Elastic safety seals—when provided—will not work unless the piston gets completely back in.
- Shocks. In case inward strokes are not fully completed, internal shocks can damage several components of the cylinders. True, after many on-the-field tests, we are confident that our cylinders are capable of enduring shocks, reduced strokes and several misuses, but yet it’s not the right way of using this kind of cylinders.
In case strokes different from the standard ones are required, we can provide longer pistons and reduce the stroke. This way, it’s possible to use the new “reduced” stroke in its entirety, and the cylinder will work as requested.
Yes, V260 cylinders are well-designed and reliable cylinders, but they also require some special attentions. Fully use the cylinder stroke, experience its full potentiality, and you’ll never regret it!