BIBUS France supplies you with Bansbach gas springs: what they are used for and how they optimise your mechanical systems ?

The Bottom Line: What is a Gas Spring ?

A gas spring is a mechanical component designed to assist in the movements of opening, closing, lifting or holding a load. It uses the energy of a compressed gas to generate a pushing force that significantly reduces the manual effort required by the user.

Gas springs can be found in many industrial and professional applications: machine hoods, access hatches, trunks, technical furniture, medical equipment, special vehicles or ergonomic workstations.

Available in steel or stainless steel, They improve safety, ergonomics and productivity while limiting operator fatigue.

How a Gas Spring Works ?

A gas spring Works by compressing nitrogen pressure acting on an internal piston, which generates a constant thrust force without an external power supply. The operating principle is based on a cylinder filled with pressurised inert gas : Nitrogen.

Inside the cylinder :

• Compressed gas exerts a constant pressure.
• This pressure acts on a piston connected to a rod.
• The difference in surface area between the two sides of the piston generates a pushing or pulling force depending on the model chosen.

Unlike a hydraulic cylinder Requiring an external power supply, the gas spring is completely self-sufficient in energy.

Its main role is to :

• Offsetting the weight of a load ;
• Assist a movement ;
• Maintain an open or closed or intermediate position ;
• Cushioning a movement at the end of the stroke

Operation is silent, progressive and without power supply.

Need to know more ?
Discover our FAQ dedicated to gas springs and quickly find the answers to your most frequently asked questions

Why Use a Gas Spring in a Mechanical System ?

Reduced manual effort

The main advantage of a gas spring is the force assistance. For example, a hatch weighing several tens of kilograms can be opened with reduced operator effort thanks to one or more correctly sized and ideally positioned cylinders.

This assistance improves :

• Workstation ergonomics ;
• User safety ;
• Comfort of use ;
• prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs))

Increased productivity

A system equipped with a gas spring :

• opens faster ;
• Requires less effort ;
• Reduces handling times ;
• Limits the risk of accidents or mishandling.

This allows operators to perform their tasks more efficiently while reducing their daily fatigue.

Improved security

Gas springs allow :

• avoid sudden closures ;
• to keep the elements open during interventions ;
• Control the movement of moving loads.

They thus contribute to the safety of maintenance, inspection or production operations.

Types of applications and type of gas springs

At BIBUS France, we offer several gas spring technologies to meet the needs of each application :

• Standard Gas Springs : Standard gas springs assist in opening, closing, and holding in position of many pieces of equipment. Versatile and reliable, they are suitable for a wide range of industrial, furniture and automotive applications
• Stainless steel gas springs : Designed to resist corrosion, stainless steel gas springs are particularly suitable for humid, aggressive or hygienic environments. They are widely used in the food, medical, marine and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Lockable gas springs : Lockable gas springs help keep a load in a precise position with an integrated locking system. They offer secure adjustment and excellent operating comfort for ergonomic and technical equipment.
• Click System Gas Springs : Thanks to the "Click System' It is possible to Locking a Gas Strut in position retracted rod without using an external control knob, following the same principle as a Retractable ballpoint pen. The Auto-lock Allows reliable and secure cylinder attachment, ideal for applications requiring position-holding without additional effort.
• Click & Go Gas Spring : The "Click & Go" is a compression gas spring that can be locked in a single position (retracted rod). At the touch of a button on the remote control button, the "Click & Go" is unlocked and its operation outside the locking position is identical to that of a standard compression cylinder.
• Dynamic Damping Gas Springs : In this case, the damping is not carried out by oil passing through the orifice, as is the case with conventional gas springs, but is controlled by the groove in the cylinder. This results in many advantages: the damping in this variant has an effect in all mounting positions. Whether horizontally or with the piston rod facing up, the damping characteristic is always the same.
• Gas springs for aeronautics : Developed to meet the requirements of the aerospace industry (DO certification-160), These cylinders offer high reliability, optimised weight, and performance that meets industry safety and certification requirements.

Each range has its own technical characteristics and applications.
Find all the information on the dedicated pages of each type of cylinder, as well as a specific FAQ answering the most frequently asked questions.

Industry and machine tools

Common Applications :

• Protective covers ;
• Maintenance doors ;
• Machine Housings ;
• Technical hatches.

Medical sector

Gas struts are widely used for :

• examination tables ;
• Hospital equipment ;
• Medical chairs ;
• ergonomic devices.

Technical and ergonomic furniture

They allow the adjustment or assistance of :

• Worktops ;
• Desks ;
• Technical furniture ;
• Operator stations.

Vehicles and mobile equipment

They can be found on :

• Chests ;
• Storage compartments ;
• Special vehicles ;
• Fire trucks
• Vehicle adapted for people with disabilities
• Commercial vehicles.

Steel or stainless steel gas springs: what are the differences ?

Steel gas spring

The steel gas spring is the most widely used solution in the industry.

It is particularly suitable :

• to standard industrial environments ;
• to production machines ;
• technical equipment ;
• to industrial furniture.

Its excellent cost-to-performance ratio makes it an economical and reliable solution.

Stainless steel gas spring

The stainless gas spring is designed for demanding environments.

It is recommended when equipment is exposed :

• humidity ;
• chemicals ;
• frequent cleaning ;
• corrosive environments.

He is found in particular in :

• Food & Beverage Industry ;
• Medical & Pharmaceutical;
• Laboratories ;
• Marine applications.

Find below the main references of standard Bansbach gas springs and their characteristics to help you identify the right model for your application.