How to find the right Mechanical Shock Absorbers AI guide

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Mechanical Shock Absorbers

Energy per cycle: Calculate kinetic energy plus propelling-force energy over the stroke; the absorber's rated energy per cycle must exceed it with margin. Undersized units bottom out, which transfers full impact to the frame and destroys the seals.
Energy per hour: Energy per cycle multiplied by cycles per hour must stay under the rated hourly energy. Heat build-up limits fast-cycling machines even when single-impact energy is fine.
Effective weight and impact velocity: Size against the catalogue's effective-weight range at your actual impact speed, not against moving mass alone. Orifice sizing is tuned to a weight and velocity band, so the wrong band gives either a hard stop or rebound.
Adjustable vs self-compensating: Choose adjustable units when the load or speed is unknown or varies a lot. Choose self-compensating units for a known, steady range. Self-compensating units are set-and-forget only inside their design window.
Stroke and positive stop: Use a stop collar or external stop so the absorber never acts as the end stop. Bottoming on the internal end damages the piston and tube.
Side load and thread: Match the thread size and pitch to the mounting. Keep side load within the rated angle, or use an angled-impact cap. Off-axis impact wears the rod bearing and causes leaks.

ACE Controls: Wide industrial range with detailed sizing data, including adjustable and self-compensating miniature units.
ITT Enidine: Established industrial and heavy-duty absorber line with good sizing documentation.
SMC: Compact pneumatic-automation absorbers, common on actuator end stops.
Misumi: Configurable stock units convenient for machine builders.

Unbranded absorbers with no published energy-per-cycle or effective-weight ratings
Using the absorber as the mechanical end stop
Choosing by thread size alone without an energy calculation
Mounting where coolant or chips hit the rod without a boot or cover

No. A gas spring stores and returns energy, while a hydraulic shock absorber dissipates energy as heat to stop a load without rebound.