2
Table of Contents and Introduction...............................2
Advantages of Airstroke Actuators ...............................3
Advantages of Airmount Isolators.................................4
Air Spring Bellows Construction ...................................5
End Closure Options
Crimped bead plates..................................................6
Crimped bead plates mounting hardware .................7
Steel bead rings.........................................................8
Aluminum bead rings .................................................9
The four types of bead rings and
mounting hardware................................................10
Rolled plates ............................................................11
How to use the Static Data Chart
For Airstroke Actuation......................................12&13
For Airmount Isolation..............................................13
Internal Rubber Bumpers..............................................13
Basic Parameters Applicable to Both Airstroke
Actuators and Airmount Isolators
Media .......................................................................14
Pressure ..................................................................14
Temperature ...........................................................14
Contaminants...........................................................14
Storage ....................................................................14
Airstroke Actuation
Selection ..................................................................15
Down and Up Stops.................................................15
Return ......................................................................15
Guiding ....................................................................15
Angular Capability....................................................15
Horizontal Misalignment ..........................................16
Design Envelope......................................................16
Stacking ...................................................................16
Fail-Safe Devices.....................................................16
Vacuum....................................................................16
Inflation Pressure Chart ...........................................17
Airstroke Actuator Problem Solvers ...........18,19 & 20
Airmount Vibration Isolation
Selection Procedure and Isolation Formula .......21-22
Dynamic Spring Rate Formula ................................22
Natural Frequency Formula.....................................22
Center of Gravity......................................................23
Lateral Rates and Stability.......................................23
Triple Convoluted and Reversible
Sleeve Type Parts .................................................24
Design Envelope......................................................24
Safety Stops ............................................................24
Initial Installation ......................................................24
Startup and Shutdown/Resonance
and Amplification ...................................................24
Isolating an Unbalanced Mass ................................24
Low Pressure Operation..........................................24
Effect of an Auxiliary Reservoir ...............................24
Damping ..................................................................25
Plumbing Systems ...................................................25
Isolation Chart..........................................................26
Airmount Isolation Problem Solvers ...................27-28
Miscellaneous Applications
Shock Impact Isolation.............................................29
Protective Boot and Flexible Connector ..................29
Vacuum Pump .........................................................29
Inflatable Chuck .......................................................29
Cam Follower...........................................................29
Miscellaneous Problem Solvers .........................30-31
Airstroke/Airmount Selection Guide......................32-33
Individual Air Spring Data Pages............................34-98
Index & Work Sheets
Order Number to Style Number
to Page Number .........................................100-101
Airstroke Design Parameter Worksheet ................103
Airmount Design Parameter Worksheet................105
Style Number to Page Number..............................107
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Firestone developed the air spring in the late 1930’s as a
more efficient spring (vibration isolator) for use in vehicle
suspensions. Airide
®
springs, as they were named, provid-
ed the means for a suspension to reduce the amount of
road shock and vibration transmitted into the vehicle.
Millions of miles of actual use have proven the dependabili-
ty and effectiveness of the air suspension concept using
Airide
®
springs by Firestone.
Airstroke
®
actuators, Airmount
®
isolators, and Airide
®
springs are Firestone registered trademark names
for one
product: the air spring. The use of the air spring (actuator,
industrial isolator and vehicular isolator, respectively) deter-
mines which name is applied to it. All of the parts in this
catalogue may be used as Airstroke actuators (except the
1X84D-1 and 2M1A) or Airmount isolators, with two excep-
tions: Triple convoluted and reversible sleeve type air
springs (except the 1M1A-0) should not be used as
Airmount isolators without consulting Firestone.
Individual Airstroke actuators and Airmount isolators are
capable of generating a force or supporting a load of up to
100,000 pounds, and a stroke capability of up to 14 inches
is possible. Included in this engineering manual are
detailed operating characteristics for many of the standard
Firestone air springs, along with technical details and pro-
cedures for using these products.
PLEASE NOTE:
The information contained in this publication is intended to provide a gen-
eral guide to the characteristics and applications of these products. The
material, herein, was developed through engineering design and develop-
ment, testing and actual applications and is believed to be reliable and
accurate. Firestone, however, makes no warranty, express or implied, of
this information. Anyone making use of this material does so at his own
risk and assumes all liability resulting from such use. It is suggested that
competent professional assistance be employed for specific applications.
Copyright ©1998 Firestone Industrial Products Company
INTRODUCTION
