Parker Hannifin HMIX electro-hydraulic cylinder

Parker Hannifin’s HMIX cylinder is a fully integrated subsystem, combining tie-rod cylinder technology with a high-precision feedback transducer, manifold and pipework, into a single easy-to-fit unit.

The HMIX electro-hydraulic cylinder includes an internally mounted magnetostrictive transducer to provide continuous analog or digital feedback of the actuator’s position. A permanent magnet is attached to the actuator piston, and a magnetic pulse is launched along a copper core inside a waveguide tube, which runs the length of the piston rod. The interaction between the two fields produces a torsional strain pulse, which travels down the waveguide tube and is sensed by a coil at the end of the device. The position of the piston-mounted permanent magnet is established by measuring the elapsed time between the start of the current pulse and the arrival of the strain pulse, with interface electronics then being used to convert this information to a digital or analog output.

The machined steel manifold can be connected directly to a wide range of industry standard control valves, and can be supplied to fit NG6, NG10 and NG16 valve sizes, depending on the power and speed requirements of each application.

The HMIX cylinders are suitable for operating pressures up to 210 bar, and are available in a range of eight mounting styles, with bore sizes from 40 to 200 mm and stroke lengths of up to 3 m. Typical applications include machine tools, plastic injection moulding machines, welding machines and test equipment.