Hydraulic cylinders operating in dusty, dirty, wet or abrasive environments can experience premature seal wear and internal damage from contamination. Milwaukee Cylinder’s ABC™ Active Barrier Chamber Protection System adds an active cleaning stage to help protect cylinder rods and seals in demanding industrial applications.

Designed for environments such as mining equipment, steel mills, washdown areas and slurry exposure, the system combines a low pressure flush chamber with a secondary internal wiper.

 

How Does the ABC™ System Work?

The ABC™ system uses three stages of contamination control:

• External wiper: Removes dirt and debris from the piston rod as it enters the cylinder.

• Low pressure flush chamber: Uses a continuous flow of fluid to help carry contaminants away before they reach critical sealing surfaces.

• Secondary internal wiper: Provides an additional cleaning stage before the rod reaches the cylinder's internal seals.

This combination adds active contamination control beyond a conventional rod wiper.

 

Key Benefits and Applications

By helping limit contaminant exposure, the ABC™ system is designed to reduce contamination related seal wear and help protect internal cylinder components.

Potential applications include:

• Mining equipment: Exposure to airborne dust, dirt and abrasive particles.

• Steel mills: Industrial environments where airborne particulates can challenge cylinder seals.

• Wet and dirty washdown: Applications involving moisture, debris and frequent cleaning.

• Slurry exposure: Equipment exposed to liquids containing suspended abrasive particles.

• Powder metal processing: Environments where fine particles can threaten cylinder sealing systems.

Actual performance depends on operating conditions, contamination levels and cylinder configuration.

 

What Should You Consider Before Specifying the System?

Several factors affect whether the ABC™ system is suitable for an application:

• Bore size: Published dimensional information covers bore sizes from 1 1/2 inches through 5 inches. Consult engineering regarding larger sizes.

• Flush fluid and pressure: Oil or water solutions can be used, with published pressure guidance of 0 to 150 PSI. Confirm the appropriate configuration for your application.

• Mounting and seals: Confirm mounting compatibility and the appropriate seal materials for the operating environment.

• Existing cylinders: Retrofitting requires custom modifications, including longer piston rods and tie rods, plus replacement rod bushings and seals. It is not a simple drop in replacement.

Discuss Your Application With Weimer

Selecting cylinder protection requires consideration of the contaminants, operating conditions and equipment requirements.

Weimer Bearing & Transmission can help you discuss your application and identify the appropriate sourcing options for your needs.

Contact Weimer to discuss the ABC™ Active Barrier Chamber or request a quote for your application.