Gold Line™ adjustable shock absorbers are recommended for most deceleration applications, especially where it is desirable to use the same model on a number of different installations. They perform well under a very wide window of conditions. For example, the weight range of these units is approximately 150:1, meaning maximum weight capacity can be as much as 150 times greater than minimum weight capacity.
The adjustable fine-tuning feature provides maximum performance on virtually any application with a velocity ranging from 1-15 fps. By keeping impact forces to a minimum, they provide the softest stop, especially when critical and precise work-positioning is required.
The Silverline Series also offers a wide weight range window. However, these units are designed specifically to prevent impact damage from very slow-moving objects (.25 to 2.0 fps). They are very useful when working in confined quarters such as found in many rotary-type applications, where the shock absorber is located close to the pivot point, resulting in low velocities.
Non-adjustable, "self-compensating" shock absorbers are designed to decelerate loads over a much narrower weight range than adjustable models. These shock absorbers utilize a tamper-proof, non-adjustable, internal metering tube specifically selected for the application. They are designed for high-volume applications where the exact parameters are known and will not change significantly in the future.
Self-compensating shock absorbers are capable of acceptable decleration if changes in speed and velocity are within their operating window of approximately a 5:1 maximum to minimum weight ratio. They are also suitable for special deceleration applications requiring extra-long strokes.
Self-compensating units will perform satisfactorily within a relatively narrow range of shock load capacity. As the load moves either side of the mid-point of their range, effectiveness falls off quite rapidly. The larger the shock absorber, the more critical this disadvantage becomes. The only way a non-adjustable, "self-compensating" shock can provide a reaction force as low as an adjustable shock is if the weight being decelerated is perfectly matched to the orifice pattern of the non-adjustable model.