This part supports and guides the piston rod, carries the dust wiper and primary seals, and bolts to the cylinder tube via a flanged pattern. Below is a practical overview of material choice, machining process, tolerances, inspection, and finishing options at CNC Rapid.
What is a rod‑end cap
A rod‑end cap is the rod‑side end cover of a hydraulic cylinder. Typical features include:
- Multi‑step rod bore to seat the wiper, rod seal, and bearing/guide ring.
- Location rabbet / pilot to align with the cylinder tube.
- Bolt pattern or clamp band connection to the tube/flange.
- One or more ports (e.g., BSPP, NPT, metric straight) and auxiliary holes for plugs or sensors.
Why choose 1045 steel
- Balanced strength & machinability: Medium carbon steel with good toughness; machines well on CNC lathes/mills.
- Cost‑effective: Lower cost than alloy steels while meeting many hydraulic duty requirements.
- Heat‑treatable: Can be quenched & tempered (typ. ~28–34 HRC) or induction hardened locally on wear surfaces.
- Sealing compatibility: Rod bore and groove surfaces finish nicely for O‑rings / U‑seals with the right tooling and feeds.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Is 1045 good enough for heavy‑duty cylinders?
Yes for many applications, especially with Q&T and proper finishing. For very high pressure or corrosive media, we may recommend alloy steels or stainless.
Q2: What tolerance can you hold on the rod bore?
With finish boring/honing we typically hold ±0.01–0.02 mm on small/medium sizes; geometry and fixturing may affect the final call.
Q3: Can you machine the wiper, seal, and bearing grooves together?
Yes. Please send the seal datasheets or groove tables; we will match the tool radii and edge breaks accordingly.
Q4: Do you provide pressure testing?
Available on request. We can hydro or air‑decay test to a specified value and time, and record results in the inspection report.
Q5: What drawings/files do you accept?
STEP/IGES + 2D PDF with tolerances and thread/port specs. If you only have 3D, we can help derive a 2D print for approval.
Contact CNC Rapid Today
We invite you to take advantage of our Metal & Plastic parts machining service, ideal for both prototypes and production needs. To receive a personalized quote, simply visit our website to get quote or reach out directly to our team at [email protected] with details of your project.
For the most accurate and speedy quote, kindly include the following in your communication:
- Part Name
- 3D Drawing
- Quantity
- Material
- Tolerance Range
- Surface Finish
We appreciate your interest and look forward to serving your machining needs. Thank you for your time!
