Hydraulic cylinder reduces power consumption (Aug 2011)
Companies developing and building lathes with a spindle speed of up to 5600 rpm have the option of fitting a new, hydraulically actuated, rotary chuck cylinder that typically consumes 1.5 kilowatt-hours over a daily shift, compared with 36 kilowatt-hours for a conventional cylinder. The reduction is said to be nearly 96 per cent and to equate to a saving of more than 19 kg of carbon dioxide.
Called ECO cylinder, the unit is manufactured by Kitagawa, Japan, and will be launched on the company's stand, A53, in hall 5 at EMO 2011, Hannover, 19-24 September. Availability in the UK is through Kitagawa Europe, Salisbury.
The open-centre cylinder achieves its massive, 24-fold efficiency advantage by allowing the electrically driven pump to cut the hydraulic oil supply once the chuck is clamped. Holding pressure is maintained using an internal locking mechanism which is only released during the chuck unclamp process. This is in contrast to conventional cylinders, which deliver the hydraulic supply constantly to maintain holding force.
Less heat generation and reduced oil temperature
Moreover, the rise to maximum temperature takes typically twice as long, around four hours, giving more thermal stability during warm-up so that component accuracy and repeatability can be maintained.
The specification of ECO cylinder is designed to match the popular 8-inch BB series chuck and includes 278 mm outside diameter, 160 mm length, 66 mm diameter through-hole, 20 mm piston stroke, 50.5/48.3 kN drawbar push/pull and 3.5 MPa maximum operating pressure.
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