If the weight can be reduced by using matching parts, it can create important added value for the application and daily use of terminal equipment
According to Liebherr, this applies to everything from construction machinery to fixed applications. One contribution in this regard is the hybrid cylinder – a combination of classic components made of steel and carbon fiber composite jackets.
The effect of using lightweight components, such as mixing cylinders, varies from application to application. The reduction of weight has improved the working speed, expanded the accessories and suspenders, and increased the payload. In addition, emissions have been reduced and fuel consumption has also been reduced.
Even if the weight plays a central role in the final application (for example, due to road permission), the use of mixing cylinders is also the right choice. It is even possible to replace Liebherr's hydraulic cylinder with lightweight hybrid hydraulic cylinder.
The positive characteristics of fiber composites, such as stiffness, strength and density, are beneficial when designing composite components to reduce weight.
The company's mixing cylinder is a part of the product series in the field of fiber composites. Now, after preliminary development and targeted design, all classic hydraulic cylinders can be wrapped with carbon fiber composite materials.
In some application areas, solutions can be implemented without even a lot of development work. The variant of the mixing cylinder is integrated in the 380bar series as a standard configuration and can be provided as a separate option.
However, the actual goal of Liebherr's product development is not a hybrid cylinder, but a complete carbon fiber composite cylinder.
There are several steps before achieving this goal, but the company has been studying the connection concept of steel and fiber composite components. For example, the implementation of the combination of carbon fiber composite conversion and steel components can also be transferred to other products in the product portfolio.
In the future, piston accumulators can also be made of carbon fiber composite materials. A complete carbon fiber composite solution is also conceivable here and is being tested gradually.