Safety shock absorbers – find manufacturers and suppliers

Safety shock absorbers are special damping elements that have been developed to safely dissipate the kinetic energy of machines, tools or vehicles in the event of sudden movements or emergency shutdowns.

They play a crucial role in protecting systems, machines and people by absorbing shock loads and thus preventing damage or injury.

Below you will find the function and types of safety shock absorbers, their use and their advantages:

How safety shock absorbers work:

The main function of a safety shock absorber is to convert the kinetic energy generated during movement into heat and decelerate the impact in a controlled manner. Essentially, a safety shock absorber works according to the principle of energy conversion:
When a moving object hits the shock absorber, its kinetic energy is absorbed by the damper. In hydraulic shock absorbers, a fluid (usually oil) is pressed through small openings (throttle valves). The resistance that arises when the fluid flows through these openings causes the object to decelerate evenly.pneumatic shock absorbers use compressed air that escapes through special valves. The energy generated by the deceleration is released as heat in the damping medium (liquid or air). This heat is then dissipated to the environment via the surface of the shock absorber. Some safety shock absorbers are self-restoring, i.e. they return to their original position after the shock without the need for manual resetting.

Types of safety shock absorbers:

Safety shock absorbers can be divided into different types depending on their design and functional principle:

1. Hydraulic shock absorbers:
   These use a fluid, typically oil, to absorb and dampen impact energy.
   They are characterized by precisely adjustable damping and a long service life.
   Application: Machine protection, robotics, high-speed applications.
2. Pneumatic shock absorbers:
   These dampers use compressed air to absorb impact forces.
   They are often simpler in design but less precise in damping control.
   Application: Light industry, conveyor technology, simple applications.
3. Elastomer dampers:
   These dampers use rubber-elastic materials to absorb energy.
   They are simple in design, maintenance-free and cost-effective, but are only suitable for lower energies.
   Application: Small machines, simple mechanical systems.
4. Gas pressure shock absorbers:
   Gas pressure shock absorbers use the compression of gas (usually nitrogen) to dampen movements.
   They have linear damping and are particularly suitable for applications where uniform forces are required.
   Application: Heavy-duty applications, such as in heavy industry.
5. Self-compensating shock absorbers:
   This type of shock absorber automatically adjusts to different impact energies.
   They are particularly useful in applications where impact loads can vary.
   Application: Flexible applications where varying loads or speeds occur.

Use of safety shock absorbers:

Safety shock absorbers are used in many different industries and applications, wherever sudden, often uncontrolled movements can occur that need to be safely absorbed.

1. Machine protection:
In manufacturing and processing machines, safety shock absorbers protect sensitive machine parts from damage that can be caused by an emergency shutdown, errors in the machine control system or an unexpected machine standstill. This prevents expensive repairs or downtime.

2. Automated systems and robotics:
In automated production lines and industrial robots, safety shock absorbers are used to slow down the movements of arms, grippers and tools in an emergency. Especially in high-speed applications, it is important that the robot arm is stopped gently in the event of a problem to prevent damage.

3. Conveyor technology:
In conveyor systems, safety shock absorbers can be used to gently decelerate loads, for example when they arrive at the end of a transportation route or are loaded onto a platform. This helps to optimize the material flow and prevent damage to sensitive goods.

4. Vehicles and transportation:
Safety shock absorbers are installed in vehicles or transportation equipment (e.g. in the rail industry) to cushion hard impacts or braking, ensuring the safety of the occupants or transported goods.
Elevators and cable cars are also often equipped with safety shock absorbers to safely cushion the cabin in the event of mechanical failure.

5. Heavy industry and energy plants:
In areas such as steelworks, pressing plants or hydroelectric power stations, where large mechanical forces are at work, safety shock absorbers can be used as buffers to protect machine components or structures in the event of emergency shutdowns.

6. Logistics and warehouse automation:
In automated warehouse systems where storage and retrieval machines or autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) are used, safety shock absorbers are an additional safeguard in case collisions occur. Above all, they protect the load and the expensive devices themselves.

Advantages of safety shock absorbers:

• They prevent machine downtime, expensive repairs and production losses by safely slowing down sudden impacts or movements.
• Thanks to the controlled deceleration, they not only protect machines, but also personnel from dangerous situations.
• Safety shock absorbers help to ensure that machines and systems can work for longer without malfunctions and with a high level of reliability.
• High-quality safety shock absorbers are durable and resistant, which minimizes their maintenance requirements and saves costs in the long term.

Safety shock absorbers are important components in many industrial and mechanical applications where it is important to safely absorb sudden and often unforeseen movements. They protect machines and systems from damage and contribute to the safety of the working environment. Whether hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical - the right choice of safety shock absorber depends on the specific application and the damping requirements.

Below you will find an overview of the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing safety shock absorbers:

When purchasing safety shock absorbers, it is crucial to consider the specific requirements of the application to ensure optimum performance and long service life.

• The shock absorber must be able to safely absorb the entire kinetic energy of the application. This includes kinetic energy as well as any emergency situations. The energy absorption is often specified in joules or Nm (Newton meters).
• Make sure that the shock absorber can handle not only one-off impacts but also repeated impacts without losing performance.
• Some shock absorbers offer constant damping, while others have progressive damping, where the damping force increases with increasing stroke. Which variant is required depends on the application.
• Some shock absorbers can be adjusted for different loads or speeds. If your application varies, a self-compensating or adjustable shock absorber could be an advantage.
• The stroke describes how far the piston of the shock absorber is moved during damping. Too short a stroke length could reduce the damping performance, while too long a stroke takes up unnecessary space. The stroke must match the distance of movement of the object to be braked.
• A longer stroke distributes the energy better, but may require more space.
• check how much space is available for the shock absorber. Safety shock absorbers are available in various designs and sizes. It is important to choose a shock absorber that fits into the available space.
• Consider how and where the shock absorber will be mounted (horizontally, vertically, at an angle). Some shock absorbers can be used flexibly, others require specific installation positions.
• The shock absorber must be designed for the maximum speeds at which the object will impact. Shock absorbers that are too slow lead to inefficient damping, while shock absorbers that are too fast could damage the parts.
• If the speeds vary, e.g. in different operating conditions, a self-adjusting shock absorber may be required.
• Check whether the shock absorber is suitable for the temperatures prevailing in your environment. Some shock absorbers are designed for extremely high or low temperatures.
• In harsh environments (e.g. with moisture, dust, chemicals or heavy soiling), you should choose shock absorbers that are specially sealed or robustly designed for these conditions.
• For applications in humid or corrosive environments (e.g. marine applications), the shock absorber should be corrosion-resistant (e.g. made of stainless steel or with special coatings).
• Many modern shock absorbers are maintenance-free. However, if the shock absorber operates in an environment where it is exposed to high loads, regular maintenance may be necessary. Check whether the shock absorber can be serviced and how often this is necessary.
• Find out about the expected service life of the shock absorber. This depends on the number of cycles and the energy applied. A longer service life generally means lower operating costs.
• If the shock absorber has to return to its original position after damping, pay attention to the reset force and the speed of the reset.
• In some cases, a manual reset is required. These shock absorbers are more suitable for emergencies or infrequent impacts.
• Safety shock absorbers are available in a wide price range, depending on their functionality, durability and the materials used. Weigh up the price against the expected service life and the requirements of your application.
• A cheap shock absorber could result in higher maintenance or replacement costs, while a high-quality shock absorber is more expensive to purchase but may be cheaper in the long run.
• Check that the shock absorber meets all relevant safety and industry standards (e.g. ISO, CE). This is particularly important in safety-critical applications, such as in the automotive industry or in elevator systems.
• Reputable manufacturers often offer certified shock absorbers that have been tested to specific quality standards.
• Some manufacturers offer comprehensive technical support to help select the right shock absorber. In complex applications, this support can be valuable.
• Check to see if the manufacturer offers replacement parts or maintenance services, especially if the shock absorber will be used in a critical application.

When purchasing a safety shock absorber, consider the specific requirements of your application, including energy absorption, speed, stroke length, operating environment and restoring force. It is important to find the right balance between performance, service life and cost. Also look for certifications, maintenance requirements and technical support from the manufacturer to ensure the shock absorber is reliable and safe.

Safety shock absorbers can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Safety shock absorbers from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.