How Do You Size A Gas Lift Strut Support？

A gas strut is a type of lifting mechanism that is commonly used in automobiles. These are components that depend upon pressurized gases such as nitrogen.

In this article, we will see the selection of the required gas strut, things to pay attention to when replacing an existing gas strut, the sizing, and how the sizing depends on the type of gas strut. For more detailed info, please refer to what does a gas strut do

Selecting The Required Gas Strut

When selecting the required gas strut that an individual might need according to the purpose and its application, there is a definite need to consider specific points and factors. The list of factors that need to be considered is as follows:

1. While considering buying a gas strut, you should see how heavy it is to lift and what force is necessary for it to be lifted.
2. The movement of the gas strut is a crucial factor that one needs to pay attention to while buying any type of gas strut. One should be able to check the ability and the limits of the movements of gas struts and what kind of stroke length might be considered necessary. 
3. Next, moving onto the mounting space of the gas strut, you should check if there are any restrictions on it.
4. Also, check the location of the hinge pivot, primarily where it is located on the lid.
5. It is said that there is a fair chance that the gas strut can be subjected to vibration while it is in the application, so be sure to check if the gas strut can be subjected to vibration before you select one.
6. Another crucial factor to keep in mind is whether the gas strut's center of gravity can be lifted.
7. It is a general rule that states that the greater the mass that needs to be moved, the greater would be its distance that needs to be moved, and as a result, the bigger the diameter of the gas strut needs to be.
8. Gas struts are commonly classified according to their size and referred by their size. The standard sizes range from 6-15, 8-18, 10-23, and 14-28. Now it is noted that this size of the gas strut is directly related to the rod’s diameter and its tube.

When Replacing An Existing Gas Strut- Do This

You need to look into a few things before replacing an existing gas strut.

1. Earlier, we saw how the size of the gas strut is directly related to the rod’s diameter and tube. First of all, calculate the rod and tube diameters because the dimension of the rod and tube diameters shows us which size of the gas strut. The sizes range from 6-15, 8-18, 10-23, and 14-28. For example, 10-23 range gas struts will have a rod diameter of 10mm and a tube diameter of 23mm.
2. Now we will move on to the details of the length of the gas strut, we need to find out about its extended length. Furthermore, we should be able to clarify the closed length as much as possible because by doing so, we will be able to match the closest stroke length available to us.
3. Next, moving onto the basics of a gas strut involves looking into the dimensions of the stroke length of the gas strut’s rod.
4. At last, we should see the weight of the lid required to be lifted (in kilograms).

Getting The Right Strut Length

We will now see how you can get the right strut length. The methods for getting the right strut length include measuring the extended length, and the retracted length, knowing the ending types, and measuring the stroke length.

Measuring The Extended Length

Now, what is the extended length? Extended length is said to be the length of your fully extended support. The measurement of the extended length is said to start from the middle of the Rivet, Ball Socket, or Eyelet.

Measuring The Retracted Length

Next, we have another crucial measurement of the strut length: the retracted length. The retracted length is said to be the complete collapse of the support, with the measurement initiating from the Ball Socket, Eyelet, or the Rivet’s middle. At the time, removing the support made it impossible for the retracted length. As a result, it’s advisable to go for the entire body measurement (not the shaft) of the unit from one side of the end to the support with the Ball Socket, Eyelet, or Rivet.

Knowing The Ending Types

It is vital to understand that while measuring gas struts, one should know that there is a different variety of ending types used on lift supports. Some of the most common ending types used on lift supports include 10mm ball stud, 8mm ball stud, 13mm ball stud, 16mm ball stud, and so on. Among these common types, the 10mm ball stud is the most common compared to the other ball studs.

For instance, if you are considering using a gas strut that requires a more secure end, then the metal types are the ideal ones, and if you are considering any use that requires heavy weight lifting over 150lbs, then 13mm ball stud types might be the best ones.

Stroke Length Explained

 Last but not least, the stroke length is yet another measuring the gas strut is the stroke length. Now, what is the stroke length? The stroke length is said to be the actual distance that a piston can travel. Stroke length is the measurement of the shaft length on the existing unit. The stroke length should be precise regarding the measure of the shaft length and should only produce the exact length.

Sizing Depends On The Type Of Gas Strut

1.      Fixed Force

The features of fixed-force gas struts include being extremely adjustable to any kind of force, given that it is within the range. Calculating the force is not necessary; these are also available in stainless steel. It is best suited in places that demand application where weight may vary, highly recommended for prototyping and short production runs, it is effectively charged to their maximum force, and this can be adjusted after the installation, and its simple adjustment uses a standard tool that is supplied.

2.      Vari-Lift

Vari-Lift gas struts are said to be an adjustable version of the former type, fixed force. And as a result, the features of Vari-Lift overlap with that of fixed force, such as being extremely adjustable to any kind of force given that it is within the range. There is no necessity to calculate the force. These are available in stainless steel, which is best suited in places that demand application where weight may vary; highly recommended for prototyping and short production runs, it is effectively charged to their maximum force, and this can be adjusted after the installation, and its simple adjustment uses a standard tool that is supplied. The differences between both are that it is designed to be de-gassed in the application process, and Gas can be freely released.

3.      Standard- Stainless Steel

The features of standard stainless steel gas struts include resistance to high corrosion, especially in marine surroundings, thousand hours of salt spray testing, and 316 liters of stainless steel rod & tube. It can also be custom designed for the application and is made of high-quality stainless steel rods.

4.      Stop & Stay

Stop & Stay gas struts fit in with an adjustable friction lock nut. Once the nut is turned. As a result, it increases friction. Stop & Stay gas struts are mainly used for prototyping purposes The features of these gas struts overlap with that of Econoloc gas struts, such as including great positional control, can hold counter-balanced weights in multiple positions, it offers you to select pre-set or adjustable type of great friction control, it is available in stainless steel material as well, extremely safe and comes with an easy operation.

5.      Dampers

The features of a damper include a significantly self-contained unit, maintenance-free, efficiently compact design, extremely durable and reliable, offers custom damper designs and is sized according to your application and the purpose.

6.      Block lift

The features of block lift gas struts include their ability to lock irrespective of their position on the length of stroke, single-handed operations can be carried with the help of it, it is incredibly safe to use with easy positional control, proper self-contained unit, maintenance-free, available in 316l stainless steel, it is manufactured at the UK, a couple of shrouded options are available, and a wide range of release mechanism options are also available.

7.      Cam-stay

The features of cam stay include easy installation methods, proper maintenance free, support up to 135 kilograms, up to 10 positions, and a life expectancy of up to 20,000 locks.

Conclusion

So far, we saw about various pieces of information regarding gas struts. We saw how important it is to select the required gas strut, things to look into when replacing an existing gas strut, the sizing, and how the sizing depends on the type of gas strut. All of the above information would have hopefully clarified this topic of gas struts.