In general, the Power Cylinder's power consumption is one-third of that of hydraulic cylinders, and one-tenth of that of air cylinders, with some variations according to operating conditions and calculation methods. This is because the Power Cylinder motor only operates (consumes power) when extending or retracting the rod while with the hydraulic and air cylinders, oil and air must be fed into the cylinders at all times, even when the rod is not being extended or retracted, in order to maintain the load. Thus, continual operation of the hydraulic pump and compressor increases power consumption. The Power Cylinder maintains load by using a brake that is engaged when de-energized, which also provides for quiet operation as well as exempts the Power Cylinder from oil and air leaks that can be caused by seal deterioration.
Are the products compliant with the RoHS directive?
A2
After the re-evaluation of all components, most models are compliant with RoHS directive as standard. Some models are not yet compliant as standard, however, they can be made to be compliant. Contact us for details.
What is the greasing interval for the Power Cylinder?
A3
Some types do not have a grease inlet, which means that the Power Cylinder cannot be replenished. The replenishable types should be replenished as per the chart below.
Frequency of use
Lubrication cycle
501 to 1000 cycles/day
Every 3 to 6 months
101 to 500 cycles/day
Every 6 months to 1 year
~100 cycles/day or less
Every 1 to 1.5 years
Note) ・The above values are for longer use, and do not indicate the life. ・The table above is a guideline. Please check the instruction manual for the lubrication cycle of each series. Back to questions
Q4
Does the grease in the reducer need to be replaced?
A4
The Power Cylinder is filled and sealed with high quality grease and is ready to be used as is for a certain period of time. If the Power Cylinder is used in an application that runs high-frequency operations over many years, or if the Power Cylinder has been stored for a long period of time, the grease may have deteriorated or emulsified. If the aforementioned case applies, check the grease before use and replace it as necessary.
Can I add grease from a different manufacturer? Can I specify the initial grease?
A5
If the greases used are the recommended greases listed in the catalog, the mixing of different greases does not cause a major problem because the base oil is the same. We can accommodate your request to use a different manufacturer's grease for the initial grease. However, the preferred grease should ensure the same performance as our recommended greases.
Use classification
Company name
Grease name
Ball screw
TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
JWGS100G
Idemitsu
※DAPHNE EPONEX SR No.2
Nippon Grease
NIGULUBE EP-2K
EXXON MOBILE
MOBILUX EPNo.2
Cosmo Oil Lubricants
COSMO GREASE DINAMX EPNo.2
Shell Lubricants Japan K.K.
SHELL ALBANIA EP grease 2
*Factory filled with this grease. Note) ・JWGS100G is separately sold in a 100g container. ・The product names mentioned above are trademarks or registered trademarks of each manufacturer. ・For U series (including U series multi), exclusive grease is used, so please check the catalog and instruction manual for details. Back to questions
Q6
Why is the grease consistency different between the reducer and actuator of the Power Cylinder?
A6
The reducer uses a grease bath for lubrication. To reduce the agitation resistance for the gear, a rather soft grease of consistency degree 1 is used. As for the actuator, a grease of degree 2 is applied to the screw. If the grease scatters, the life will become significantly shorter. We use a rather hard grease of degree 2 to prevent the scattering of the grease applied to the screw shaft. If you want to use only one type of grease to prevent confusion during maintenance, use a grease of consistency degree 1. When using a grease of degree 1 for the actuator, supply it periodically to prevent the life from becoming shorter.
How long is the life of the trapezoidal screws and ball screws?
A7
Trapezoidal Screw : The service life cannot be determined by a calculation, however, it is possible to predict approximate life from our past experience. Contact us with information such as the usage conditions. Ball Screw : It is possible to calculate the expected traveling life based on the B10 life. For the approximate life, refer to the Load - Life Chart. When you need to know the precise life, contact us with information such as the usage conditions. (The B10 life is the life attained by 90% or more ball screws of the same type used under the same condition without peeling.)
What is the life of the brake in motors with a brake? Can the brake torque be adjusted?
A8
The usable life of a brake depends on the load torque, load inertia, brake wiring, and maintenance, but in general, a brake can operate 1 to 2 million times. Some models in our Power Cylinder lineup allow for brake torque adjustment, but it can significantly shorten the life of the brake. For this reason, Tsubaki makes adjustments before shipment even for adjustable models. We ask our customers not to perform the adjustments themselves. If the brake torque needs adjustment after delivery, consult us and send back the product.
For outdoor use, is the unit designed for use in the rain?
A9
Our outdoor-use products are not completely watertight. The Power Cylinder may draw in water while it is operating. Entry of water in slight amounts is not a problem, but if a large amount of water enters the inside of the Power Cylinder, the functionality of the Power Cylinder may be compromised. In order to maintain the equipment in good working order for a long period of time, cover the power cylinder to protect it from direct exposure to rain and other water sources. Take precautions to prevent water splash-up during operation.
Can the Power Cylinder be used in a corrosive atmosphere?
A10
Our products can be supplied with a coating, surface treatment, and/or alternative material to support use in different corrosive atmospheres, including acidic, alkali, or saline conditions. Make an inquiry with us and provide the information on the type and level of the corrosive atmosphere.
Although there is no guaranteed clean degree, we have delivered many products for this purpose. Since the Power Cylinder has a fully closed structure, it seldom releases brake abrasion powder or grease.
What is the operating temperature range for the Power Cylinder?
A12
A standard Power Cylinder can be used in temperatures ranging from 0 to 40℃. The low temperature limit depends on the series. Refer to the catalog for the specifications of the specific model. If you wish to use the Power Cylinder in an environment with a lower temperature than the catalog-listed value, as some series are still available by using different bearings, grease, motor and/or other elements, consult us and provide the information on your use conditions. If you wish to use the Power Cylinder in an environment with a higher temperature than the catalog-listed value, consult us and provide the information on your use conditions so that we can propose alternatives, such as using another motor in a higher heat resistance class and a separate installation of the power supply module, in consideration of heat generation.
Can the Power Cylinder be used at an altitude of 1,000 m and higher?
A13
If the motor is used at an altitude of 1,000 m or higher, the cooling effect is reduced due to thinner air. You need to check for a temperature increase at each operating cycle, so contact us with the information on your operating cycle.
Can I adjust the stroke of the Power Cylinder manually?
A14
Yes, you can. Most models have a shaft for manual operation to adjust the stroke Be sure to remove the load on the Power Cylinder before adjusting the stroke manually.
If the Power Cylinder was used beyond the allowable start frequency provided in the catalog, what would happen?
A15
The allowable start frequency is a regulation put into place which takes into consideration the heat generation of the motor, brake, and screws. If the thrust used in your application is smaller than the Power Cylinder's rated thrust, the given allowable start frequency may be exceeded. In such a case, contact us and provide the information on the allowable start frequency, Power Cylinder model number, thrust used, and operating cycle for details.
Is the Power Cylinder's thrust different when pushing and pulling?
A16
With hydraulic cylinders and air cylinders, the thrust is different between the pressing side and pulling side due to the oil/air intake and release. In the case of the Power Cylinder, the thrust is basically the same with pushing and pulling. However, when using strokes longer than the specified value, the thrust is suppressed in relation to buckling strength. Even in such a case, the model's rated thrust on the pulling side is guaranteed.
Does the Power Cylinder support special types of motors?
A17
International standards-compliant motors : Supports motors compliant with UL, CE, CCC, and other international standards. Variable frequency motors : Supports variable frequency motors with constant torque or constant horsepower. Servo Motor : Supports servo motors from any electrical appliance manufacturer Make sure to use an input speed of 2000 r/min or below. The frame size 70 model of the Eco Series Servo type supports an input speed of up to 3000 r/min.
How can I improve the stopping accuracy of the Power Cylinder?
A18
The brake and motor are connected using the same wire. To improve the stopping accuracy, use different wires for the brake and motor. To improve the stopping accuracy further, you can use the inverter control to reduce the speed before stopping. Also in this case, you need to use different wires for the brake and motor. [Click to enlarge ]
Does the trapezoidal screw type Power Cylinder need a brake?
A19
The self-locking properties of the trapezoidal screw enables the cylinder to maintain load, but when vibration or shock occurs, the stop position may change. Particularly in cases of vertical installation, the object being lifted/lowered may fall when there is vibration or shock, and therefore we recommend that you employ a brake mechanism.
What is the torque setting for the Power Cylinder with a Torque Limiter? Can the set torque become lower?
A20
Torque is set to 150 to 200% for the rated thrust of the Power Cylinder. Our Torque Limiter is a friction-type clutch. Several occasions of slipping within a short time period should not cause reduced torque, which allows for continued use. However, in the case of extensive slipping, the set torque can be reduced significantly, disabling the transmission of the motor torque and consequently preventing the cylinder from working.
Is there any problem when we use internal contact stopping at the stroke end?
A21
Contact stopping can only be used for the Eco series, CDS type, and F series (100 to 400N types. The overload detection unit is required.) If you want to use contact stopping for other series, use a type with a thrust detection mechanism and set a limit on the equipment side within the stroke range of the Power Cylinder.
When two Power Cylinders are used in conjunction, why do both require limit switches for stroke adjustment?
A22
When multiple Power Cylinders are used in conjunction, each cylinder is driven by dedicated motors. Even when the same type of motors are started and stopped at the same timing, there are individual differences in the slip among motors and such differences in the slip lead to the stroke error of the Power Cylinders. Since this error is around 5%, it does not cause a problem in the beginning. After a certain period of use, the error accumulates to a large amount, resulting in damage to the cylinder or equipment. In order to clear this error during each operation, each Power Cylinder requires a limit switch for stroke adjustment. Note, however, that you need to provide a circuit so that the Power Cylinders will be stopped separately by their respective limit switches during the operation. Do not make one limit switch stop all Power Cylinders simultaneously.
Up to how many external limit switches for stroke adjustment can I use?
A23
When mounting horizontally with the T series, external limit switches can be installed at 150 mm intervals, considering wiring. In the case of a vertical installation, they can be installed at 50 mm intervals. Contact us for relevant information on other series.
What is the output type of the rotary encoder for the Power Cylinder? Do you accept special orders?
A24
Incremental encoder output is used as the standard output signal. Please consult us if absolute encoder output is preferred. Also, the standard output is open collector. Please consult us if line driver output is preferred.
Peeling off of the paint does not affect the performance of the Power Cylinder. However, to prevent rust, coat the peeled part with paint. Contact us if you need Tsubaki's standard colors. We offer spray cans of our standard paints.
Is it necessary to have a rod rotation prevention for the Power Cylinder? Can the LS rod (optional external limit switch unit) be used for rotation prevention?
A26
Due to the structure of the Power Cylinder, rotational force occurs at the rod. Link mechanisms can tolerate the rotational force, but when the application pulls a rope or chain, the rope or chain cannot tolerate the rotational force and twists. Therefore, you must install a guide mechanism or select the optional rod rotation prevention for the cylinder. The LS rod for the external limit switch unit does not have sufficient rigidity or strength, and thus cannot be used to prevent rotation.
As clearance of the end fitting and mounting bracket, backlash occurs at the hole portion H10 and pin portion d9. The ball screw of the Power Cylinder is of C10 accuracy grade and also has backlash. Mechanical backlash is a combination of the above.
The trunnion bracket has become stuck. What should I do?
A28
If the trunnion bracket has become stuck, you will need to fuse that portion to remove it. In order to prevent sticking, apply stick-proofing grease to the trunnion pin. The same grease used for the main unit can be used. Another type in which a bushing is provided in the trunnion hole is also available. Consult us for other specifications.