Actuator Precautions 1 Series MGZ
1. Confirm the specifications.
The products advertised in this catalog are designed according to
use in industrial compressed air systems. If the products are used in
conditions where pressure, temperature, etc., are out of specifica-
tion, damage and/or malfunction may be caused. Do not use in
these conditions. (Refer to specifications.)
Consult SMC if you use a fluid other than compressed air.
2. Intermediate stops
When intermediate stopping of a cylinder piston is performed with a
3 position closed center type directional control valve, it is difficult to
achieve stopping positions as accurate and minute as with hydraulic
pressure due to the compressibility of air.
Furthermore, since valves and cylinders, etc., are not guaranteed for
zero air leakage, it may not be possible to hold a stopped position
for an extended period of time. Contact SMC in case it is necessary
to hold a stopped position for an extended period.
1. Operate within the limits of the maximum
usable stroke.
The piston rod will be damaged if operated beyond the maximum
stroke. Refer to the air cylinder model selection procedure for the
maximum useable stroke.
2. Operate the piston within a range such that
collision damage will not occur at the stroke
end.
Operate within a range such that damage will not occur when the
piston having inertial force stops by striking the cover at the stroke
end. Refer to the cylinder model selection procedure for the range
within which damage will not occur.
3. Use a speed controller to adjust the cylinder
drive speed, gradually increasing from a low
speed to the desired speed setting.
4. Provide intermediate supports for long stroke
cylinders.
Provide intermediate supports for cylinders with long strokes to pre-
vent rod damage due to sagging of the rod, deflection of the tube,
vibration and external loads, etc.
Precautions on Design Selection
Warning Warning
Caution
1. There is a danger of sudden action by air
cylinders if sliding parts of machinery are
twisted, etc. and, changes in forces occur.
In such cases, human injury may occur; e.g., by catching hands or
feet in the machinery, or damage to the machinery itself may occur.
Therefore, the machine should be designed to avoid such dangers.
2. Install a protective cover when there is a risk
of human injury.
If a driven object and moving parts of a cylinder pose a danger of
human injury, design the structure to avoid contact with the human
body.
3. Securely tighten all stationary parts and
connected parts so that they will not
become loose.
Especially when a cylinder operates with high frequency or is
installed where there is a lot of vibration, ensure that all parts
remain secure.
4. A deceleration circuit or shock absorber,
etc., may be required.
When a driven object is operated at high speed or the load is
heavy, a cylinder’s cushion will not be sufficient to absorb the
impact. Install a deceleration circuit to reduce the speed before
cushioning, or install an external shock absorber to relieve the
impact. In this case, the rigidity of the machinery should also be
examined.
5. Consider a possible drop in operating pres-
sure due to a power outage, etc.
When a cylinder is used in a clamping mechanism, there is a dan-
ger of work pieces dropping if there is a decrease in clamping
force due to a drop in circuit pressure caused by a power outage,
etc. Therefore, safety equipment should be installed to prevent
damage to machinery and/or human injury. Suspension mecha-
nisms and lifting devices also require consideration for drop pre-
vention.
6. Consider a possible loss of power source.
Measures should be taken to protect against human injury and
equipment damage in the event that there is a loss of power to
equipment controlled by air pressure, electricity or hydraulics, etc.
7. Design circuitry to prevent sudden lurching
of driven objects.
When a cylinder is driven by an exhaust center type directional
control valve or when starting up after residual pressure is
exhausted from the circuit, etc., the piston and its driven object will
lurch at high speed if pressure is applied to one side of the cylin-
der because of the absence of air pressure inside the cylinder.
Therefore, equipment should be selected and circuits designed to
prevent sudden lurching because, there is a danger of human
injury and/or damage to equipment when this occurs.
8. Consider emergency stops.
Design so that human injury and/or damage to machinery and
equipment will not be caused when machinery is stopped by a
safety device under abnormal conditions, a power outage or a
manual emergency stop.
9. Consider the action when operation is
restarted after an emergency stop or abnor-
mal stop.
Design the machinery so that human injury or equipment damage
will not occur upon restart of operation. When the cylinder has to
be reset at the starting position, install safe manual control equip-
ment.
Be sure to read before handling.