Gas springs — also known as compression gas springs, gas struts, lift supports, gas props or gas stays — provide controlled lifting, counterbalancing and smooth movement for lids, covers, hatches, doors and access panels.
At Newtone Gas Springs, we design and manufacture standard gas springs for OEM manufacturers, industrial equipment producers and distributors worldwide. Whether the requirement is a standard catalogue product or a fully customised solution, every gas spring is engineered to deliver consistent performance, long service life and safe operation throughout its working cycle.
A gas spring may appear to be a simple component, but its performance depends on much more than force alone. The correct combination of stroke, extended length, compressed length, mounting geometry, end fittings, sealing system and internal gas pressure determines how the equipment behaves throughout the entire opening and closing movement.
Before selecting a gas spring, it is useful to understand how it contributes to the overall performance of the equipment. A gas spring is a self-contained mechanical component filled with high-pressure nitrogen gas. As the piston rod moves into the cylinder, the internal gas pressure creates a controlled extension force that assists lifting, counterbalancing or supporting a moving load.
Unlike conventional mechanical springs, gas springs provide smooth and predictable movement throughout the operating cycle while occupying relatively little installation space. Because of their compact design and consistent performance, gas springs have become a preferred solution for thousands of industrial and commercial applications.
Although a gas spring is a relatively compact component, it is the result of carefully engineered mechanical design. Inside the cylinder, high-pressure nitrogen gas generates the force required to support, lift or counterbalance a moving load. As the piston rod is compressed into the tube, the internal pressure changes and creates a controlled extension force that assists the movement of the application.
A standard gas spring consists of several precision-engineered components working together: the pressure tube, piston rod, piston assembly, sealing system, guide components and high-pressure nitrogen gas. Depending on the application, damping oil may also be incorporated to provide smoother movement and controlled closing characteristics.
As the piston rod extends, the gas spring delivers a controlled pushing force that helps support the load. When the application is closed, the piston rod compresses back into the cylinder, increasing the internal pressure and preparing the gas spring for the next operating cycle.
Many industrial applications require more than simply supporting a load. Equipment designers often need controlled lifting, smooth opening, reduced manual effort and reliable positioning throughout thousands of operating cycles. This is where gas springs provide significant advantages over conventional mechanical springs.
Compared with traditional steel springs, compression gas springs generally offer smoother movement, require less installation space and can be tailored to specific force, stroke and dimensional requirements. This flexibility makes them suitable for OEM manufacturers developing products across a wide range of industries.
| Gas Springs | Mechanical Springs |
|---|---|
| Controlled and smooth movement | Force changes significantly during movement |
| Provides lifting assistance | Mainly stores mechanical energy |
| Compact installation space | May require more installation space |
| Available in a wide range of forces and strokes | Limited by spring geometry |
| Improves user comfort and safety | Less control over movement |
| Suitable for custom engineering solutions | Usually selected from standard spring sizes |
One of the greatest advantages of gas springs is their versatility. From compact access panels to heavy industrial covers, they provide reliable motion control across thousands of different applications. Although every industry has its own technical requirements, the primary purpose remains the same: assisting movement, reducing manual effort and improving operator safety.
Access doors, maintenance covers, safety guards and inspection panels that require frequent opening and closing benefit from smooth, low-effort movement.
Engine covers, storage compartments, service panels and protective guards operate reliably under vibration, dust, mud and outdoor exposure.
Engine covers, luggage compartments, maintenance panels and battery enclosures gain improved accessibility and controlled opening.
Doors and covers remain securely open during inspection or servicing, reducing the risk of unexpected closing.
Examination equipment, laboratory systems, diagnostic devices and adjustable workstations benefit from smooth, quiet, controlled movement.
Corrosion-resistant materials and food-grade oil can be supplied for hygienic processing and packaging machinery.
Large engine covers, maintenance hatches and service doors reduce manual handling effort during maintenance operations.
Office furniture, storage systems, counters and concealed compartments benefit from controlled opening and soft movement.
Every application presents different engineering challenges. While some customers require a completely new gas spring for an OEM product under development, others need a direct replacement for an existing component that is no longer available. At Newtone, we support both types of projects.
Force requirements, available installation space, stroke and mounting geometry are evaluated first.
Rod and tube diameters, extended length, compressed length and expected load are matched to the application.
Welded or threaded ends, side or top valve, locking and damping options are considered according to the mechanism.
Prototype quantities, small batches or serial OEM production are scheduled once the specification is validated.
Selecting the correct gas spring involves much more than choosing a force value. A well-designed gas spring should provide smooth movement throughout the entire opening and closing cycle while maintaining operator safety and long-term reliability.
The force must balance the weight of the moving component while allowing comfortable opening and controlled closing.
The stroke determines how far the piston rod travels and should match the required opening angle without reaching mechanical limits.
Overall dimensions must suit the available installation space to avoid preventing proper opening or closing.
Bracket position directly influences lifting performance, leverage and the manual effort required throughout the movement.
Temperature, humidity, dust, chemicals and corrosion exposure affect material selection and sealing requirements.
Applications used several hundred times each day place different demands on the gas spring than equipment opened only occasionally.
Newtone’s standard gas spring range covers rod diameters from 4mm to 25mm and tube diameters from 12mm to 55mm, with maximum force values from 200N up to 7500N. Each size is available with welded or threaded ends and, depending on the diameter, with a side or top charging valve.
| Rod ø [mm] | Tube ø [mm] | Max. Force [N] | Welded Ends | Threaded Ends | Side Valve | Top Valve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12 | 200 | • | • | ||
| 6 | 15 | 400 | • | • | • | • |
| 6 | 18 | 400 | • | • | ||
| 8 | 18 | 750 | • | • | • | • |
| 8 | 21 or 22 | 750 | • | • | ||
| 8 | 27 | 750 | ||||
| 8 | 28 | 600 | ||||
| 10 | 21 | 1200 | • | • | • | |
| 10 | 21 or 22 | 1200 | • | |||
| 10 | 27 or 28 | 1500 | ||||
| 10 | 40 | 1300 | • | • | ||
| 14 | 27 | 2500 | • | • | • | |
| 14 | 40 | 2500 | • | • | ||
| 20 | 40 | 5000 | • | |||
| 22 | 40 | 6000 | • | |||
| 25 | 55 | 7500 | • |
Beyond the core dimensions, most sizes can also be supplied with additional options depending on the diameter combination.
| Rod ø [mm] | Tube ø [mm] | Side Valve | Top Valve | Locking | Stainless Steel | Plastic Protection Tube | Metal Protection Tube | Locking Safety Tube | Pneumatic Damping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12 | • | |||||||
| 6 | 15 | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
| 6 | 18 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| 8 | 18 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| 8 | 21 or 22 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| 10 | 21 or 22 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| 10 | 27 or 28 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| 10 | 40 | • | |||||||
| 14 | 27 or 28 | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| 14 | 40 | • | • | ||||||
| 20 | 40 | • | • | ||||||
| 22 | 40 | • | |||||||
| 25 | 55 | • |
Every application is unique, and even small differences in installation geometry can significantly influence the behaviour of a gas spring. In many cases, customers do not need to provide a complete engineering drawing — a simple sketch, several photographs or basic dimensional information is often sufficient to begin the evaluation.
| Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Weight of the moving part | Helps determine the required extension force. |
| Opening angle | Influences stroke selection and mounting geometry. |
| Overall dimensions of the lid or cover | Allows calculation of leverage and centre of gravity. |
| Available installation space | Determines the maximum extended and compressed length. |
| Mounting positions | Ensures the gas spring operates efficiently throughout the full movement. |
| Environmental conditions | Helps determine material selection, sealing system and corrosion protection requirements. |
| Existing gas spring (if available) | A sample, photograph or part number can help identify a suitable replacement solution. |
Many gas spring performance issues are caused not by the product itself, but by incorrect specification or installation. Selecting a gas spring solely according to force without considering mounting geometry often results in poor operating performance.
Common issues include selecting excessive force, insufficient stroke, incorrect overall length or unsuitable mounting positions. These can lead to covers opening too aggressively, difficulty during closing, reduced service life or unnecessary stress on hinges and mounting brackets.
A gas spring performs as part of a complete mechanical system. The correct selection of end fittings and mounting brackets is therefore just as important as choosing the appropriate force or stroke. Newtone offers a wide variety of end fittings and mounting accessories, including ball sockets, eyelets, clevis fittings and brackets.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ball Socket End Fittings | Allow smooth angular movement while accommodating minor alignment variations during operation. |
| Eyelet End Fittings | Provide a simple and robust connection for many industrial applications. |
| Clevis End Fittings | Offer secure mounting where pivoting movement is required. |
| Mounting Brackets | Support the gas spring in the correct position while ensuring stable and reliable operation. |
In many applications, installing the gas spring with the piston rod pointing downward in the closed position helps keep the internal seal lubricated, which may contribute to smoother operation and longer service life. Mounting geometry should allow the gas spring to move freely throughout the complete opening and closing cycle, since misalignment or excessive side loading can increase wear on the piston rod, end fittings and sealing system.
| Factor | Influence on Performance |
|---|---|
| Correct Mounting Geometry | Reduces side loading and helps ensure smooth operation. |
| Proper End Fittings | Improves alignment and minimises unnecessary mechanical stress. |
| Operating Temperature | Temperature variations influence internal gas pressure and extension force. |
| Environmental Conditions | Humidity, dust, chemicals and corrosion exposure affect material selection and long-term durability. |
| Cycle Frequency | Applications operating hundreds of cycles per day require different engineering considerations than those used occasionally. |
| Correct Storage and Handling | Protecting the piston rod from impact, scratches and contamination helps maintain sealing performance. |
No two applications are exactly the same. Even equipment that appears similar may require different gas spring characteristics because of variations in weight distribution, mounting geometry, opening angle or available installation space. For this reason, many manufacturers prefer custom-engineered gas springs rather than selecting the closest standard product.
Our engineering team works closely with customers during every stage of the project. Customers can provide engineering drawings, CAD models, photographs, existing samples or simply the basic dimensions of the application. Even when only limited information is available, our team can often determine an appropriate starting point for the design process.
| Customisation Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Extension Force | Force values can be specified according to the application requirements. |
| Stroke | Custom stroke lengths are available to achieve the required opening movement. |
| Extended and Compressed Length | Overall dimensions can be adapted to fit the available installation space. |
| End Fittings | A wide variety of end fittings can be supplied to match different mounting arrangements. |
| Surface Finish and Materials | Different material and corrosion-resistant options are available depending on the operating environment. |
| Special Labelling | Customer-specific part numbers, markings or identification labels can be applied when required. |
Replacing an existing gas spring is not always as straightforward as matching the force marked on the cylinder. Products that share the same force value may behave very differently because of differences in mounting positions, stroke, internal characteristics or dimensional tolerances.
When replacing an existing gas spring or gas strut, we recommend reviewing the complete application rather than focusing solely on the original part number. A photograph, sample unit or simple dimensional drawing is often sufficient for our engineers to recommend a suitable replacement, and where necessary, the replacement product can be optimised to improve performance compared with the original component.
Every project follows a different development path. Some begin with prototype quantities for testing and validation, while others move directly into serial production. Newtone supports both scenarios by working closely with customers throughout the development process.
There is no significant technical difference. The terminology varies by country and industry: gas spring is more common in continental Europe, while gas strut is widely used in the United Kingdom, Australia and several other markets. Both describe a nitrogen-filled component designed to provide controlled lifting and counterbalancing.
A compression gas spring is the most common type of gas spring. It generates an extension force that pushes the piston rod outward, assisting with lifting and supporting moving components such as lids, covers, hatches and access panels.
Weight, centre of gravity, opening angle, mounting geometry, stroke, available installation space and operating conditions should all be evaluated together. Our engineering team can assist by reviewing drawings, dimensions or photographs of the application.
Yes. Force, stroke, extended length, compressed length, tube diameter, rod diameter and end fittings can all be customised to suit the application.
In many cases, yes. A sample, part number, drawing or several photographs are often sufficient for our engineering team to recommend a suitable replacement, optimised where appropriate.
Service life depends on operating frequency, installation quality, environmental conditions and application design. Proper mounting geometry and correct product selection generally contribute more to long-term performance than force alone.
Yes. Gas springs are widely used in outdoor equipment, electrical cabinets, agricultural machinery and industrial applications. Where corrosion resistance is required, stainless steel gas springs may provide the most suitable solution.
Temperature influences the internal gas pressure and therefore the extension force. For unusually high or low temperature applications, the expected operating range should be considered during the design stage.
Gas springs are sealed components and generally require very little maintenance. Regular inspection of mounting brackets, end fittings and the piston rod is recommended.
Most industrial gas springs are sealed units and are not intended to be disassembled or recharged by the user. Replacement is generally the recommended solution at the end of service life.
Useful information includes the application, required force (if known), stroke, dimensions, photographs, drawings, operating environment and expected annual quantity.
Yes. We support projects ranging from prototype development and small production batches to long-term OEM manufacturing.
Selecting a gas spring is rarely just about choosing a force value or matching a part number. In most industrial applications, the performance of the entire mechanism depends on how the gas spring interacts with the equipment throughout its full range of motion. This is why many OEM manufacturers involve our engineering team during the early stages of product development.
At Newtone, we focus on understanding the application before recommending a solution. Instead of selecting the nearest standard product, we evaluate the operating conditions, installation geometry, expected service life and production requirements.
If you would like to learn more about gas spring design, force calculation and industry-specific applications, the following technical articles may also be helpful.
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Every application has unique engineering requirements, and selecting the correct gas spring is an important part of achieving reliable and safe operation. Whether you are developing new equipment, replacing an existing component or optimising an existing design, our engineering team is ready to assist you.
Share your drawings, dimensions, photographs or application details with us, and we’ll help you determine the most appropriate gas spring solution for your project.
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