Responding to customers' demand for space-saving components that drive down costs and drive up productivity, SMC is launching two compact, lightweight cylinders for the first time in Australia.
SMC’s latest compact cylinders, the JMGP guide cylinder and the compact JCQ Series, have been designed with weight and space savings in mind. Both help to reduce machine sizes and costs, and deliver increased efficiency due to their lightweight nature which could enhance cycle time.
Making its debut at AUSPACK for the first time since its international release, the product is expected to receive considerable interest from the market, according to Tony Randall, head of OEM & Key Accounts at SMC Australia/New Zealand.
“We feel that this cylinder will satisfy the required air cylinder specifications from many customers,” Randall says.
Market research revealed that users required more compact and optimised cylinders with regards to performance and cylinder size, while also wishing to reduce the energy required.
“By developing the product in response to our customers’ operating conditions, it is possible to achieve a more compact body for the product. An investigative survey completed on customer operations revealed that it is possible to cover large parts of the market with half of the current capacity. Therefore, the new products match the market demand,” says Randall.
According to Randall it is possible to increase the cylinder size using the same footprint as an existing product. By increasing the cylinder tube size, the operating pressure can be reduced and performance maintained, which leads to energy conservation.
Intermediate sizes are available, which means the footprint of the product can be reduced and performance maintained.
The JMGP is a guide cylinder, featuring a dual rod, which has been designed for a variety of applications including pushing, clamping and lifting where there are space and weight restrictions in a transport line or for robotic manipulation and handling.
The compact JCQ is ideal for similar applications where a short cylinder is required, but without the guiding capability.
Survey results showed that approximately half of the users put more importance on the output instead of guide strength.
Highly suitable for applications where pushing, lifting and clamping is required, the product is available in three mounting options with four possible piping directions.
“With space at a premium in many manufacturing plants, the need to produce smaller, more efficient machinery is growing. These two new models achieve just that, as they are both smaller than similar cylinders on the market. Being lighter in weight, they also achieve improved cycle times and help to deliver higher output.”
It is investments in R&D and new products such as the J-Series which has seen this Japanese multinational win the Forbes Innovation Prize for a third time.
The J Series will be on display at AUSPACK 2017 in Sydney in March. Visit SMC at stand 57.
