Benefits and Applications of Smart Cylinders in Hydraulics 

Smart cylinders have a sensor integrated into the cylinder design that delivers feedback to the control system indicating cylinder position. This feedback helps facilitate automation and improve safety. Sensors can be integrated into most cylinder designs and build types, providing benefits to all industries and applications. Let’s explore the benefits of smart cylinders. 

Efficiency

Smart cylinders can improve efficiency through automation and immediate feedback. Actions can be sequentially controlled or triggered within the control system. Operators can receive precise positional feedback. Machines and work can be automated to operate remotely. Operational limits can be controlled to reduce the chance of damaging the system, minimizing downtime.

Improve Safety

These cylinders enable safety controls by providing feedback to the control system. The positional feedback from the sensor can be used to set safety limits, automate processes, and prohibit operation outside of preset safety parameters. This helps keep workers safe. 

Enhanced Precision

Advanced control systems use feedback from smart cylinders to enable precision positioning, automatic leveling, coordination of movement, and automatic cylces, improving the quality and efficiency of work. 

Applications of Smart Cylinders

Many industries can benefit from smart cylinders, especially those where safety and automation are paramount. Some industries that commonly implement smart cylinders include:

Rail

The rail industry is extremely demanding. Hydraulic cylinders are required to move equipment, train cars, load/offload goods, and repair and build railroad tracks. Smart cylinders enable enhanced safety, automation, and accuracy for these applications.  

Forestry

Tree felling, log handling, and log loading require equipment with hydraulic cylinders. These tasks must be done with power and accuracy to avoid damage and injuries. By implementing smart cylinders, these tasks can be done with greater control. 

Construction

Safety, precision, and automation are critical to the construction industry which includes a broad range of equipment and applications using hydraulic cylinders. Integrating these cylinders into these applications delivers value to the application and the end user.  

Snow Removal

Snow removal requires the use of heavy machinery in less-than-ideal weather and road conditions. Smart cylinders can be implemented to automate functions, monitor and maintain the position of equipment, and control the application of aggregate enhancing safety and efficiency of operation. 

Agriculture

Hydraulic cylinders are used in a huge number of agricultural applications including tractors, harvesters, loaders, sprayers, and many more. Conditions can be harsh, so cost control and safety are critical. Agricultural applications have been early adopters of this cylinder technology enabling automation, precision control, and safety.

Aurelius is Ready to Develop the Smart Cylinder Design That You Need 

At Aurelius Manufacturing, we have over 20 years of experience designing and manufacturing custom hydraulic cylinders. We work with several sensor manufacturers and can get your project moving forward quickly. Contact us today to discuss your project.