Compact Anti-Rotation Cylinder with Rod

There are various types of cylinders, but the working principle of most cylinders is quite simple: air pressure pushes the piston, the piston drives the piston rod, and force is output externally.

During this process, you may notice that the movement of the piston rod is restricted along the axial direction, ensuring the stability of the cylinder’s operation. However, it seems that the rotation of the piston rod is not strictly prevented. Is this really the case?

Yes, it is. In most scenarios, a cylinder only needs to output force along the axial direction, so the rotation of the piston rod is not restricted. However, in specific applications such as electronics manufacturing, robotics, medical equipment, and packaging, uncontrolled rotation of the piston rod can severely affect product quality. This is where anti-rotation cylinders come into play.

Customized Anti-Rotation Cylinder with Guide Rods

A client recently approached us with a demand for an anti-rotation cylinder. After reviewing our previous Case Studies, they contacted us through the Contact Us page, requesting a batch of custom anti-rotation cylinders for their new product.

Due to installation space constraints, the cylinder needed to be compact cylinder, with a shortened length and reduced volume to fit into the external system.

Additionally, the load needed to be connected at both ends, and both ends of the load were interlinked. Unlike conventional cylinders, this custom cylinder required a hollow and through piston rod, with male threads on both sides, enabling the cylinder to output force in both directions.

To reduce impact and vibration while improving operational stability and service life, elastic sealing pads were installed at both ends of the piston. This design is particularly suitable for small cylinders, avoiding the complexity and maintenance issues associated with an air cushion structure.

A magnetic ring was added to the piston, and the cylinder barrel was pre-designed with slots for installing magnetic sensors. The combination of the magnetic ring and sensors enables position detection and allows for precise motion control and automation feedback when integrated with solenoid valves and other external devices.

After discussions with the client, we learned that the cylinder needed to operate in high-temperature environments. Therefore, high-temperature-resistant sealing materials were used in the design, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 120°C. This ensures the cylinder’s long-term stable operation in high temperatures, preventing leakage or aging issues caused by traditional seals deteriorating due to heat.

Designing the Anti-Rotation Structure

This cylinder had a special requirement: an anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the piston rod from rotating. To achieve this, further custom modifications were necessary.

Since the internal structure of the cylinder was already tightly packed, we opted to add a yoke plate externally and implemented a dual guide rod structure on the end cap to prevent the yoke plate from rotating.

The threaded front end of the piston rod passed through the yoke plate and was secured using a hex nut. Additionally, a threaded hole was added beneath the magnetic ring inside the piston, and a small screw was used to lock the piston in place.

This design firmly connected the piston, piston rod, and yoke plate, ensuring they maintained a fixed orientation without any rotational movement. The guide rods further reinforced this structure, preventing rotation altogether.

Client Feedback

Throughout the design process, we maintained active communication with the client, explaining our design intentions to alleviate any concerns. We dynamically adjusted our design approach based on their requirements, modifying the cylinder structure accordingly.

Once both parties finalized the design drawings, the custom cylinder entered the production phase. During production, Fokca (Fescolo) maintained strict quality control to ensure that every cylinder met functional and quality standards before leaving the factory.

To eliminate any potential issues, we first produced a small batch of samples for testing. After receiving client approval, we proceeded with full-scale production.

About Fokca (Fescolo)

Fokca (Fescolo) has been deeply involved in the pneumatics industry for many years, specializing in custom pneumatic components. Our technical team thoroughly understands customer requirements and applies its extensive industry expertise to develop innovative solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.

You can explore more of our case studies, and if you have any inquiries, please contact us.