When we talk about fluid power, we often think of hydraulics because hydraulic actuators use a fluid such as oil. But let’s not forget that air is also a fluid–while it's not a liquid, it still flows. In fact, air is not only a powerful option for driving industrial actuators, it’s often the preferred option compared to hydraulic actuators.
DURATRK Pneumatic Actuators
One prime example is W.C. Branham’s DURATRK line of pneumatic actuators. We designed these rodless band cylinders with a unique combination of features that make them exceptional performers:
- The lightweight extruded body retains structural integrity, even under pressure.
- The critical main seal has a hook and lock function that ensures virtually no leakage through the slot in the tube.
- Available in six bore sizes from 18mm to 63mm
- Tube profiles can be up to 21 feet, precisely cut to measure according to customer specs
- Ports can be located on one end, both ends, or even on the bottom of the cylinder.
- Cylinders include just 27 parts, 11 of which are also standard to other Branham actuators.
DURATRK pneumatic actuators are tough, reliable, and affordable. Not to mention, the lead times for these products at Branham is only 1 week compared to the 7-8 weeks typical of other manufacturers.
DURATRK cylinders come in different styles to match different applications. Branham is committed to keeping the configurations simple and easy to use for our customers.
- DTS Standard
- DTK Short (same as the DTS, with shorter piston and carrier)
- DTF styles — DTF/KF Guided, DTFD Dual Guided, and DTFL/KFL Linear Guided — are designed to handle extra heavy loads.
It All Adds Up To Versatility
Here are just some of the common uses for DURATRK actuators:
- Lane diverters on conveyance systems. Hardly anything travels in a single straight line from beginning to end during a manufacturing process.
- Moving a spray head, up/down and/or left/right. Sprayers are commonly used for automated painting such as in auto body shops and for powder coating.
- Silkscreen applications. Automating the movement of the squeegee head ensures accuracy and consistency and enables machinery to work faster than the human hand.
- Knifing applications, such as cutting material like carpet or cardboard
- Assembly pick and place applications. Sometimes a lane diverter isn’t the right tool for the job because items need a “helping hand” to move along as planned. An actuator on a conveyor system can pick up and move items to another location.
- Lifting (raising/lowering) in an elevator or conveyor system. Manufacturing facilities are designed to take advantage of high ceilings by using multi-layered operations within a given footprint.
- Roll forming, such as assembling a sheet of plastic onto another part.
- Shuttling carts from one location to another on a conveyor system. This is especially valuable for heavy items or cartons of small components, saving worker time and steps and improving safety.
- Pusher arm on an assembly line—for example, meat on a conveyor that goes through a metal detector, then the DURATRK-powered pusher arm automatically rejects any meat that doesn’t match standards.
- Opening/closing doors—up, down, left, or right. This might be a car wash door, or it could be a baking oven door or a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.
- Gluing applications, where glue or another adhesive needs to be applied automatically to items on a conveyor system.
Are DURATRK Pneumatic Actuators The Right Fluid Power For Your Application?
This free guide includes technical specs, materials, and CAD drawings as well as ordering information. And, as always, our fluid power experts are always standing by, ready to answer your questions so you get exactly the products you need to power your project.
