Nichel-plating Ensures High Corrosion Resistance

At the recent Hannover Messe, Conforti Oleodinamica presented the latest innovations in the field of hydraulic cylinders: among these is a nickel-plated cylinder that ensures high resistance to corrosion.

by Alma Castiglioni

At Hannover Messe Conforti Oleodinamica showcased its entire range of hydraulic cylinders, among which ISO 6020/2 magnetic and non-magnetic hydraulic cylinders, with tie rods or counter-flanges, also available in assembly kits; ISO6022 mill-type hydraulic cylinders, compact cylinders and rotary actuators.
This year’s new entry was the nickel-plated ISO6020/2 hydraulic cylinder, highly appreciated by visitors.

The nickel-plating process ensures high corrosion resistance
While keeping the quality of Conforti’s tie rod cylinder, this new product is protected against corrosion by a special chemical nickel-plating process. In fact, the surface is covered with a specific layer of Nickel which guarantees a very high resistance to corrosion (1200 hours in salt spray rating 10).
This cylinder is suitable for pharmaceutical and food industries and is an excellent substitute of expensive stainless steel cylinders.
The nickel-plating process, resulting from the collaboration with a primary treatment specialist, is characterized by the total absence of heavy metals and ammonia and by a very low environmental impact: these are important issues for Conforti Oleodinamica.

Smart cylinders with integrated sensors
A special attention was also focused on applications requiring smart cylinders, with integrated sensors capable of generating data especially on positioning and pressures at play, a need that has been very much felt by customers in recent years. The Monza-based company from Monza presented various solutions in this field at the fair.
The MD range (ISO-6020/2) includes magnetic hydraulic cylinders. Thanks to the insertion of a magnetic piston and the fixing on the tie rods of specific magnetic sensors, the user is offered the possibility of controlling multiple positions.

Built-in position and pressure transducers
Another solution that has aroused interest is the cylinder equipped with a linear position transducer. Through an output signal, the transducer allows users to verify the position of the piston in every millimetre of its stroke, obtaining excellent results in terms of positioning accuracy. The proximity sensors inserted in the cylinder heads, provide another alternative to get feedback on the end position.
To verify the pressure value inside the cylinder, on the other hand, pressure transducers can be applied to the cylinder heads: a configuration that does not increase the overall dimensions of the cylinder and offers the possibility of obtaining a very important data for the control of the hydraulic system. Finally, for applications that require a stronger cylinder structure, able to withstand shocks and vibrations, Conforti proposed at the fair a range of special pistons, designed to ensure the customer the use of ISO cylinders even in harsh conditions.