Gas springs are used by manufacturers in a diverse range of industries. From cars to the operating table to your family room, you will find gas springs being used everywhere. Depending on the industry and application, gas springs, also known as gas struts, gas props, or gas lifts, are frequently used to support or counterbalance moving masses.
Their essential function is to help lift, hold, or dampen objects' movement. They must provide enough counterbalance force to support heavy objects while providing smooth, controlled motion, allowing for slow rising and retracting without sudden jerks or slams.
In addition to providing controlled motion, gas springs offer numerous benefits. Their exerted force can be adjusted during production or use, providing flexibility in the force applied for various applications. Some gas springs also offer built-in damping mechanisms for slow or cushioned movement.
Gas springs are highly efficient in design. They combine energy storage and motion control in a compact form, allowing them to be integrated into tight spaces where mechanical springs or other alternatives may not fit. By storing energy in a pressurized gas chamber, gas springs reduce the physical effort required to move heavy objects. This makes lifting or lowering objects like car hoods, lids, or office chairs easier without exerting significant force.
Along with their versatility in design, they offer end users quiet and soft closing and opening, maintenance-free operation, energy efficiency compared with electric or hydraulic solutions, and a long lifespan.
These benefits make gas springs an optimal solution in applications requiring controlled motion, compact design, and reliable performance across a broad range of industries. Here are some industries and applications that highlight their versatility.
One of the most common uses for gas springs is opening and closing hoods, trunks, tailgates, and hatches. Gas springs hold the hood open to allow work on the vehicle without needing a physical prop that can often get in the way. They are also used on retractable roofs in convertible cars and to adjust the height and angle of seats.
Gas springs provide easy adjustment of hospital bed height and position to improve patient comfort and caregiver access. They are also used to adjust height and angles on operating tables for various medical procedures and aid in the controlled movement of exercise and therapy equipment.
Gas springs have numerous uses in the aerospace and aviation industry. They are used on aircraft as adjustment mechanisms, opening and closing overhead luggage compartments, aircraft doors, and access panels. Maintenance vehicles and other aviation ground equipment also use them on hatches and compartments.
Gas springs are commonly used for hatches and protective covers that need easy access and must be held open on certain types of industrial equipment. They are also frequently used on access panels for machinery interior maintenance and controlled motion applications of automated assembly line equipment.
In the marine industry, gas springs are an excellent solution for easily lifting and supporting boat hatches, storage lids and doors, and height/position adjustment on seating and furniture.
Much like other vehicular applications, gas springs assist in lifting heavy tractor engine covers, provide smooth, controlled motion for cab doors and windows, and allow seating adjustments.
In electronics, gas springs have been making inroads for many years as a reliable solution for adjustable monitor arms, allowing users to position screens easily. They are also used extensively on server rack doors.
Furniture
The furniture industry has recently seen the use of gas springs increase for applications such as adjustment positions on reclining chairs, height adjustments for ergonomic desks, and assistance opening and holding hinged lids or cabinet doors.
Please visit our Gas Springs page to learn more about our Genesis™ gas springs, which are available in a wide selection of sizes and forces to meet the needs of any application. We encourage you to contact your Austin Hardware sales representative or your nearest Austin Hardware location for more information on gas springs or our other products or services.