When Feedback is Key

Position Sensing SMART cylinders feature built-in linear sensors that provide real-time feedback on stroke position and speed. This data helps boost productivity, enhance safety, and minimize maintenance and downtime. They support advanced features like vibration-reducing suspension, GPS-guided auto steering, rugged cultivator depth control, and auto-levelling with return-to-position functionality.

Designed and Manufactured to your Requirements

Custom Bore Size

Stroke Length

Lifting Capacity

Custom Mounting Configuration

Threaded/Bolted Gland

Counterbalance

Pilot Operated Check Valves

Porting options (ORB, NPT, C61) and Location

Custom Paint To Your Spec

SMART Cylinders: Position Sensing & Control Advantages

RHK’s Positioning Sensing SMART hydraulic cylinders are engineered with integrated position sensing technology to provide precise, real-time measurement of stroke position, speed, and direction. By incorporating linear sensors directly into the cylinder assembly, critical performance data is delivered to the machine control system, enabling greater automation, accuracy, and operational insight across industrial applications.

Position sensing allows cylinders to dynamically respond to multiple system inputs such as pressure, load, speed, or GPS signals. This enables self-adjusting performance features including optimized cushioning, controlled acceleration and deceleration, and adaptive motion control. Systems can be fine-tuned remotely or in real time, reducing setup time and allowing adjustments without mechanical intervention.

SMART cylinders also deliver exceptional repeatability, supporting programmed movements with sub-millimeter accuracy for recurring operations. This improves consistency, reduces operator fatigue, and enhances overall machine efficiency. Integrated sensing further supports safety and lockout functions, such as limiting speed, restricting motion, or disabling equipment travel when stabilizers or outriggers are deployed.

Available across standard and custom cylinder designs, RHK’s position sensing solutions can be tailored to meet specific control requirements, environments, and communication protocols—helping customers improve productivity, safety, and equipment uptime.

Position Sensing Smart Cylinder Worksheet

Fill out one simple to help design a custom cylinder and obtain a quote. Not all specs are required but the more information provided, the better.

Position Sensing SMART Cylinders FAQs

What is a smart cylinder?

A “SMART” cylinder is a type of hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that incorporates a linear transducer (sensor) that can be mounted internally or externally. The sensor provides instantaneous feedback of position and velocity and can be outputted to various analog and digital formats.

What are the advantages of a position-sensing smart cylinder?

Through electro-hydraulic control, various equipment functions can be automated to improve overall performance and efficiency while reducing maintenance and downtime. Other benefits include repeatability, lockout and safety, dynamic self-adjustment, and remote adjustability.

Can a position sensor be added to an existing cylinder?

Yes, an external sensor can be added to most existing cylinders while an internal sensor can be installed if there is ample room for the sensor head in the endcap.

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Our Sales and Engineering team has extensive experience developing solutions that fit your application.