What is a cushioned cylinder and why is it used?

What is a cushioned cylinder and why is it used?

• A. A cylinder with no end-of-stroke shock absorption.
• B. A cylinder with end-of-stroke cushions to absorb impact, protect the rod and seals, and extend service life.
• C. A cylinder that uses hydraulic fluid to move.
• D. A cylindrical shape used for aesthetics.

Answer: (B)

End-of-stroke cushioning is what makes a cushioned cylinder different. It includes a cushion mechanism near the end of the piston’s travel that decelerates the piston before it reaches the full end of its stroke. This energy absorption softens the impact, protecting the rod, seals, and cylinder bore from damage, wear, and scoring. By reducing shock, it also lowers noise, decreases vibration, and extends service life while providing smoother, more repeatable stopping. This isn’t about using hydraulic fluid or about appearance. Without cushions, the sudden impact at the end of travel would wear seals and rods faster and shorten the cylinder’s life. A cushioned cylinder uses pneumatic action, not hydraulic fluid, and the primary purpose of cushioning is to manage end-of-travel impact, not aesthetics.

End-of-stroke cushioning is what makes a cushioned cylinder different. It includes a cushion mechanism near the end of the piston’s travel that decelerates the piston before it reaches the full end of its stroke. This energy absorption softens the impact, protecting the rod, seals, and cylinder bore from damage, wear, and scoring. By reducing shock, it also lowers noise, decreases vibration, and extends service life while providing smoother, more repeatable stopping.

This isn’t about using hydraulic fluid or about appearance. Without cushions, the sudden impact at the end of travel would wear seals and rods faster and shorten the cylinder’s life. A cushioned cylinder uses pneumatic action, not hydraulic fluid, and the primary purpose of cushioning is to manage end-of-travel impact, not aesthetics.