Q: Which information most improves a supplier’s recommendation?
A: At minimum, provide stroke or total length, force requirements, application type, and intended function. Rod and tube diameter, fittings, mounting points, temperature, corrosive media, damping, locking, and surface treatment will improve accuracy further.
Q: Why does the function change the internal design?
A: Lifting requires sufficient pressure and support force, damping requires controlled speed, locking requires positional holding, and tension models provide a pulling force. Similar external dimensions do not make different functional types interchangeable.
Q: Do environmental conditions change the material choice?
A: Yes. Medical equipment may require cleanable stainless steel, marine equipment requires salt-water resistance, and food equipment may require non-toxic lubricants and documented hygiene suitability. Temperature may also require special seals and oil.
Conclusion: Use a five-step selection process: function, force, stroke, environment, and interface. An old part number or a single weight value is rarely enough for a reliable recommendation.
