Selecting the right hydraulic system for the system, machine, equipment or other application is an important decision. Too often hydraulic cylinders are selected by price alone, which can result in a lower quality cylinder that will need constant maintenance or, in a worst-case scenario, which fails during operation.
There are two manufacturing options for hydraulic cylinders used in industrial applications. These are tie rod cylinders and welded cylinders. The tie rod cylinders are typically lower cost as they are easier to manufacture. Theses cylinders use tie rods on the outside of the body of the cylinder to hold the two end caps in place and give the cylinder its structural strength.
Welded Cylinders
Unlike tie rod cylinders, welded hydraulic cylinders do not require these external steel rods on the outside of the cylinder body. Instead, the end caps are welded onto the barrel of the cylinder, which forms a very strong, uniform cylinder body.
In addition, the ports are also welded to the barrel with the piston rod and the rod seals attached through a threaded or bolted system. With this configuration, it is easy to replace the rod or the seal as necessary in a very simple process.
Size Considerations
Without the need for the external tie rods around the barrel, welded hydraulic cylinders can be installed in equipment or systems with much less space required for positioning. The lack of the additional collar or ring at the top and bottom also adds to the size difference between the two-cylinder options.
The design of welded hydraulic cylinders can include customized locations for ports or even the use of specific types of mounting options. These are typically the go-to option for Original Equipment Manufacturers designing custom equipment due to their ability to withstand higher pressures, their streamlined design and the option to choose telescopic cylinders for longer lifts on equipment and machinery.
