Double And Triple Convoluted Air Spring Balloon Rubber Air Bellow 2B 5240-1

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Selecting Air Springs

Types of Air Springs

Outside of custom fabricated air springs, there are three available types of market-ready air springs.

1. Crimped, convoluted bellows, which attach the bellow to the bead plate by a permanent crimp in the plate. These provide good vibration isolation and linear/angular actuation, but are not for vehicle suspensions.
2. Sleeve bellows, which attach the bellows to the bead plate by an external clamp. This air spring type provides good vibration isolation, but only linear actuation. They are not typical in suspensions.
3. Rolling lobe bellows, which incorporate a piston at one end of the bellows, rather than a bead plate. This is most commonly found in vehicle suspensions, and is generally not recommended for vibration isolation.

Air Spring Specifications

Installation

Though they have comparable capabilities, air springs are much cheaper than pneumatic cylinders and other springs. When deflated, air springs have a small footprint, making them easy to manipulate and connect to machinery.

Maintenance

Air springs tend to have low maintenance routines and some manufacturers state their air springs are maintenance-free (set and forget). Air springs do not require lubrication, nor do they have seals or guides that may become misaligned or damaged like with other springs. Indeed, the bellows of air springs are prone to dry rot, though this could take years to develop. Air springs should be stored in dry, dark areas at room temperature.

Environment

Due to its durability and simplicity, air springs are good for most industrial and commercial applications. Rubber and neoprene are susceptible to dry rot, so dehumidified conditions could shorten the service life of an air spring. Both rubber and neoprene are suitable for use in high/low temperature applications, but have considerably less heat tolerance than metal spring options. While usable up to 65°C, neoprene should not be used below -40°C, and rubber shouldn't be used in sites below -60°C.