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Gas springs are typically used to assist in opening lids, covers, windows,
conveyors, and seats – similar to a hatchback opening on a car. If you want
to close an object, you will need a close-assist gas spring.
Note: All gas springs contain pressurized
nitrogen gas as well as hydraulic fluid that lubricates the seal and provides
slam-resistant damping at the end of the stroke. To avoid loss of force, you
should store and install gas springs rod-end down.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORCE
Your gas spring must have enough force to lift your object and hold it open, yet not
too much force that you can’t push it back to its original position. To determine the
right amount of force, you’ll need to know the weight of the object you’re moving.
One way to do this is to use a force or tension gauge.
Estimating Force – If you cannot weigh your object, use the following chart to help
determine its weight so you can estimate the force you will need:
| Material Weight per Square Foot (12” x 12”) |
| Steel | Aluminum | Plastic |
| 1/16” Thick | 2.65 lbs | 0.83 lbs | 0.17 lbs |
| 1/8” Thick | 5.21 lbs | 1.71 lbs | 0.58 lbs |
| 1/4” Thick | 10.46 lbs | 3.61 lbs | 1.10 lbs |
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXTENDED AND COMPRESSED LENGTH
To determine the extended length that is right for your application, open your lid as wide as you need and measure
the distance between the two mounting points. For compressed length, close your lid (or lower it to where you need it)
and measure the distance between the two mounting points.
A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE CORRECT GAS SPRINGS
The examples below illustrate how the length, weight, and opening direction of your object as well as the mounting
position of the springs can affect which gas springs are right for your application. Find an example that is similar to
your application and use it as a guide to select your springs. The specifications are based on using two gas springs,
a 90° opening, and the center of gravity at the middle of the object.
| Object | Object | Recomended Gas Spring | Recomend Mounting Position |
|---|
| Length | Weight | Force Rating | Extend. Length | Comp. Length | (W) | (X) | (Y) | (Z) |
|---|
| Horizontal-to-Vertical Lift |
| 12” | 20 lbs. | 40 lbs. | 10.71” | 6.77” | 1.00” | 1.00” | 11.19” | 0.89” |
| 12” | 40 lbs. | 40 lbs. | 10.71” | 6.77” | 1.00” | 1.50” | 10.69” | 0.89” |
| 18” | 60 lbs. | 70 lbs. | 13.74” | 8.27” | 1.00” | 2.50” | 12.72” | 0.89” |
| 18” | 100 lbs. | 100 lbs. | 13.74” | 8.27” | 1.25” | 3.00” | 12.22” | 0.89” |
| 30” | 40 lbs. | 50 lbs. | 18.22” | 10.35” | 2.00” | 3.50” | 16.18” | 0.89” |
| Vertical-to-Horizontal Lift |
| 12” | 20 lbs. | 40 lbs. | 10.71” | 6.77” | 2.50” | 12.22” | 0.89” | 2.00” |
| 12” | 40 lbs. | 50 lbs. | 10.71” | 6.77” | 2.50” | 11.77” | 0.89” | 3.00” |
| 18” | 60 lbs. | 100 lbs. | 13.74” | 8.27” | 2.50” | 15.09” | 0.89” | 3.00” |
| 18” | 100 lbs. | 130 lbs. | 13.74” | 8.27” | 2.50” | 14.66” | 0.89” | 4.00” |
| 30” | 40 lbs. | 70 lbs. | 18.22” | 10.35” | 1.50” | 19.32” | 0.89” | 5.50” |
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