TRD Manufacturing, Inc., was founded in 1987 as a contract machining company for close tolerance lathe and millwork. The company's expertise in high precision machining led to the development of a line of NFPA pneumatic and low pressure hydraulic tie-rod style cylinders. Today, these cylinders are recognized for their durability, high-quality construction and long-lasting performance. The company's key attributes include quick delivery, exceptional quality, the ability to offer customized products and competitive pricing. In January 1998, Bimba Manufacturing Company acquired TRD. The acquisition represented a significant step in Bimba's strategy to expand their industry-leading line of actuators.

NFPA Tie-Rod Cylinders    Stainless Steel Cylinders    Position Control System

Bench Top Presses    Double Wall Cylinders    Customs & Specials

NFPA Tie-Rod Cylinders

Tie-Rod Cylinder Catalog (PDF 10.9MB)

CAD Drawings Available in 2D & 3D (Contact Us)

TA Series Standard Cylinders

Standard Features Include:

•Floating rod bushing is precision machined from150,000 PSI rated graphite filled cast iron and PTFE coated to reduce friction and extend cycle life. Bushing design “traps” lubrication in effective bearing area.

•Head, cap & retainer are precision machined from high strength 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Black anodized for corrosion resistance.

•Cylinder tube is precision machined from 6063-T6832 high tensile aluminum alloy and hard coat to 60Rc for wear resistance and extended cycle life.

•Piston rod is precision machined from high yield, polished and hard chrome plated steel.

•Piston & rod seals are heavy lip design Carboxilated Nitrile construction. Seals are pressure activated and wear compensating for long life. (Self lubricating material).

•Rod wiper is abrasion resistant urethane and provides aggressive wiping action in all environments. External lip design prevents debris from entering cylinder.

•Piston is precision machined from 6061-T651 alloy aluminum, provides an excellent bearing surface for extended cylinder life.

•Tie rods are prestressed high carbon steel tie rod construction eliminating axial loading of cylinder tube and maintaining compression on tube and end seals.

•Permanently lubricated with Magna-Lube G PTFE based grease on all internal components. This is a non-migratory type high performance grease providing outstanding service life. No additional lubrication is required.

•Floating cushion seals designed for maximum cushion performance, quick return stroke break-away and extended life.

•Adjustable steel needle design has fine thread metering and is positively captured to prevent needle ejection during adjustment.

•Piston magnet (Option MPR) for TRD magnetically operated reed and solid state switches.

TD Series Tough Duty Cylinders

Same construction as ‘TA’ Series with these performance features, STANDARD:

•Impact Dampening Piston Seals are designed to reduce machine vibration and noise. Higher piston velocities can be achieved due to the rapid deceleration feature, increasing productivity. Bumper Seals are rated for tough-duty, yet offer quieter operation than standard cylinder designs.

•Fixed Head and Cap Cushions are standard. The “fixed” design utilizes an internal orifice for a predetermined flow rate, eliminating the need for adjustments. The “fixed” cushion design provides tamper-free operation and guarantees a cushion function at each end of full stroke.

•PTFE Piston Wear Band - 90% Virgin PTFE with performance additives to increase Compressive Modulus to 65,000 PSI. Wear Band material is designed to provide low-friction, long life operation even in the most demanding applications.

FM Series Flush Mount Cylinders

Same construction as ‘TA’ series with the added benefit of “Sleeve Nut” construction. Four tapped holes in Head and Cap-Standard. Optional (4) additional tapped holes in base (MS4 Mount). No exposed tie rods or nuts at head and cap provides a “Clean” design. Interchanges with many older style NFPA manufacturers' cylinders out in the field. Can easily add a multiple of NFPA Mounts by simply bolting in place. Available in Single & Double Rod End models.

Back-to-Back Cylinders

You can back-to-back any series of cylinder together — mixed or matched, to provide unlimited design possibilities. Back-to-back cylinders consist of (2) individual cylinders having common bore sizes, built as one unit utilizing common tie-rods. Mounts include a full range of base, tie-rod and head or cap trunnions for pivot mounting. The back-to-back design creates a true four-position cylinder. By varying stroke lengths, a multitude of positions can be created. Unlike a three-position cylinder, a back-to-back cylinder provides “hard” stop positioning. (Note: 3-position cylinders rely on the back piston rod to push against the front piston rod to create the intermediate position. Care must be used to prevent the front piston rod from “extending” in the intermediate position.)

3-Position Cylinders

You can create a 3-Position cylinder from any single stage series of cylinder. (Note: not available on multi-stage products) 3-Position cylinders consist of multiple cylinders built as one unit having ONE exposed working rod end, capable of delivering 3 rod positions. Eliminates the need for an additional cylinder to create a third position. 3-Position cylinders reduce space and the cost to mount multiple cylinders.

Tandem Cylinders

You can tandem any series of cylinder together to provide unlimited design possibilities. The “air over oil” design is the most common use of tandem cylinders today. Choose from different designs to gain maximum benefit for your application. Air typically provides the “force” to extend and retract the cylinder. Oil provides the precise control of the stroke. By metering the flow of the oil cylinder, a constant velocity is achieved throughout the stroke - even at very slow velocities that air cylinders typically “chatter”. Three basic designs to choose from to satisfy most applications: Dual tank design for maximum flexibility and speed, Single tank design for slower cycle rates reducing component cost, and Air/Oil piston with single tank provides force multiplication (2:1 ratio minimum depending on bore and rod sizes).

TRA Series Heavy Duty Triple-Rod Cylinders

Extended Heavy-Duty Rod Bearings of Cast Iron material is rated at 150,000 PSI compressive strength. Extended bearing design maximizes load handling abilities without compromising design. PTFE Piston Wear Band material is rated for high loads and non-lube service. Non Lube Service includes PTFE coated bushings, Carboxilated Nitrile Seal material, and PTFE based lube provide permanent lubrication for long life. The heavy-duty design allows for longer strokes.

MS Series Multi-Stage Cylinders

The TRD MSE and MSR Series are double acting, single rod end cylinders that multiply the force output by supplying air to multiple pistons. The MSE multiplies the force on the extend stroke, the MSR multiplies the force on the retract stroke. Both models use only one piston on the opposite stroke, saving air volume and operating costs.

Micro-Adjust Cylinders

Allows precise adjustment of cylinder extend stroke. Easy to read precision scale (.001” calibration) and enclosed no “pinch point” design. Available on all cylinder models with “D” Double Rod End option. Up to 6” stroke and adjustment.

Auto Reciprocating Air Booster

This 2:1 ratio air-to-air booster is compact and self-contained. Unit incorporates integral valve components to perform auto-reciprocating function. Can amplify inadequate air pressure in the following situations:

• Cylinders or Grippers: When space isn’t available, a smaller bore or model size can be used with higher input PSI to achieve the desired output or grip force.

• Problem solver: Sometimes a cylinder or gripper was sized for an application, but in use, does not perform up to the production requirements. Increasing the input PSI can provide a quick and cost effective solution.

Air Reservoir

Stand-alone Air Reservoir from 2-1/2” to 10” bore size. Anodized Aluminum Tube and End Cap, Steel Mounting Bracket construction. Also available in a standard version with an integrally mounted Air Booster.

Air/Oil Tanks

The TRD air/oil system gives you the smooth operation typically associated with hydraulic systems, without the expense! Uses shop air, (2) air/oil tanks, and a cylinder equipped with “TH” (hydraulic seals. Low initial investment and low maintenance to operate!

Intensifiers

“Air to Air” or “Air to Hydraulic” intensifiers are Single-Shot, one output per stroke design.

Accessories Included in Tie-Rod Cylinder Catalog

•Balluff Inductive Sensors

•Balluff Transducers

•Alignment Couplers

•Reed Switches & Solid State Switches

•Clevis, Pins, & Mounts

Stainless Steel Tie-Rod Cylinders

Stainless Steel Tie-Rod Catalog (PDF 3.6MB)

CAD Drawings Available in 2D & 3D (Contact Us)

SS Series Cylinders

Standard Features Include:

•Floating rod bushing is precision machined from 303 stainless steel, extra-long Teflon composite wear band for extended service.

•Head, cap & retainer are 100% Precision machined from highly corrosion resistant 303 stainless steel bar for tough and corrosive environments.

•Cylinder tube is precision machined and honed from 304 stainless steel, providing smooth consistent operation.

•Piston rod is drawn, ground and polished high yield 303 stainless steel, hard chrome plated.

•Piston & rod seals are heavy lip design Carboxilated Nitrile construction. Seals are pressure activated and wear compensating for long life. (Self lubricating material).

•Rod wiper is Teflon scraper design for maximum compatibility with wash-down and chemical solutions( FDAapprovedmaterial).

•Piston is precision machined from 6061-T651 alloy aluminum, provides an excellent bearing surface for extended cylinder life.

•Tie rods are drawn and ground 303 high strength stainless steel, rolled threads for maximum strength.

•Permanently lubricated with Magna-Lube G PTFE based grease on all internal components. This is a non-migratory type high performance grease providing outstanding service life. No additional lubrication is required.

•Floating cushion seals designed for maximum cushion performance, quick return stroke break-away and extended life.

•Adjustable 303 stainless steel needle design has fine thread metering and is positively captured to prevent needle ejection during adjustment.

SS-NR Series Cylinders

Same construction as ‘SS’ Series with these performance features, STANDARD:

•Two internal guide rods throughout stroke

•High repeatability at each end of stroke

•All external dimensions are the same as ‘SS’ Series (no additional length or width required)

•Standard Diameter Guide Rod Seals & Bronze Bearings for long life and reliable operation

•Standard Piston Rods available on all models. Oversized Piston Rods available on 2½” thru 8” Bore Models

•Adjustable Cushion (Option H or C) with Standard Piston Rods, available 3¼” thru 8” Bore. (On Oversized Piston Rods, 4” thru 8” Bore)

•Available in Double Rod End Models

Tandem Cylinders

You can tandem any series of cylinder together to provide unlimited design possibilities. The “air over oil” design is the most common use of tandem cylinders today. Choose from different designs to gain maximum benefit for your application. Air typically provides the “force” to extend and retract the cylinder. Oil provides the precise control of the stroke. By metering the flow of the oil cylinder, a constant velocity is achieved throughout the stroke - even at very slow velocities that air cylinders typically “chatter”. Three basic designs to choose from to satisfy most applications: Dual tank design for maximum flexibility and speed, Single tank design for slower cycle rates reducing component cost, and Air/Oil piston with single tank provides force multiplication (2:1 ratio minimum depending on bore and rod sizes).

SS-MS Series Multi-Stage Cylinders

The TRD SS Multi-Stage are double acting, single rod end cylinders that multiply the force output by supplying air to multiple pistons. The MSE multiplies the force on the extend stroke, the MSR multiplies the force on the retract stroke. Both models use only one piston on the opposite stroke, saving air volume and operating costs.

Micro-Adjust Cylinders

Allows precise adjustment of cylinder extend stroke. Easy to read precision scale (.001” calibration) and enclosed no “pinch point” design. Available on all cylinder models with “D” Double Rod End option. Up to 6” stroke and adjustment.

SS-TRA Series Heavy Duty Triple-Rod Cylinders

Extended Heavy-Duty Rod Bearings of SS material. Extended bearing design maximizes load handling abilities without compromising design. PTFE Piston Wear Band material is rated for high loads and non-lube service. Non Lube Service includes PTFE coated bushings, Carboxilated Nitrile Seal material, and PTFE based lube provide permanent lubrication for long life. The heavy-duty design allows for longer strokes.

Back-to-Back Cylinders

You can back-to-back any series of cylinder together — mixed or matched, to provide unlimited design possibilities. Back-to-back cylinders consist of (2) individual cylinders having common bore sizes, built as one unit utilizing common tie-rods. Mounts include a full range of base, tie-rod and head or cap trunnions for pivot mounting. The back-to-back design creates a true four-position cylinder. By varying stroke lengths, a multitude of positions can be created. Unlike a three-position cylinder, a back-to-back cylinder provides “hard” stop positioning. (Note: 3-position cylinders rely on the back piston rod to push against the front piston rod to create the intermediate position. Care must be used to prevent the front piston rod from “extending” in the intermediate position.)

3-Position Cylinders

You can create a 3-Position cylinder from any single stage series of cylinder. (Note: not available on multi-stage products) 3-Position cylinders consist of multiple cylinders built as one unit having ONE exposed working rod end, capable of delivering 3 rod positions. Eliminates the need for an additional cylinder to create a third position. 3-Position cylinders reduce space and the cost to mount multiple cylinders.

Air/Oil Tanks

The TRD air/oil system gives you the smooth operation typically associated with hydraulic systems, without the expense! Uses shop air, (2) air/oil tanks, and a cylinder equipped with “TH” (hydraulic seals. Low initial investment and low maintenance to operate!

Accessories Included in SS Tie-Rod Cylinder Catalog

•Balluff Inductive Sensors

•Balluff Transducers

•Alignment Couplers

•Reed Switches & Solid State Switches

•Clevis, Pins, & Mounts