Manufacturing & Quality

Laystall has developed a specialised manufacturing area for the efficient manufacture of cylinder rods and tubes. Large capacity CNC lathes, drilling and milling machines are arranged in cells for complete manufacture of components for welding and assembly. Material for the manufacture of rods and tubes is specified for each application. Rods can be made from pre-chromed bar, hardened chromed bar or bright turned bar. Tubes material may be cold drawn seamless or DOM in skived and roller burnished or honed condition. Special materials such as high strength steel or stainless steel may be used.

Skived tubes are far more technically advanced than the traditional honing methods, resulting in a superior surface finish thus ensuring the seals operate at their optimum efficiency

As welding is one of the most critical manufacturing processes in a hydraulic cylinder we have invested heavily in equipment to ensure the best possible quality of weld. Whilst highly skilled operators carry out all manual welding, wherever possible automated or CNC welding processes are used to help guarantee consistency of weld quality and appearance. Standard welding is carried out using synergic M.I.G. techniques, however where extra joint strength is required T.I.G. or friction welding is used. Weld designs and procedures are always verified before series production by destructive test methods.

Hydraulic cylinder components are machined in a dedicated manufacturing unit using up to date CNC equipment. Full 4-axis CNC machining centres and 3-axis CNC turning allows flexibility for machining complex shaped components. In-cycle component measuring is used to ensure consistent quality for volume production runs.

Smaller turned components are manufactured using CNC bar-feed lathe equipment. Assembly areas are segregated from the production zone, which provide washing/degreasing equipment to ensure total cleanliness.

All Laystall hydraulic cylinders are assembled in a clean environment and 100% hydraulically tested prior to despatch. Safety critical cylinders are 100% mechanically tested to proof loads in rigs designed to simulate the cylinder application.

Laystall operates to BS EN ISO 9000: 2008 quality standards (Certificate No. Q 10323) in addition to specific customer quality requirements. Full traceability is ensured throughout the manufacturing process through rigorously applied quality procedures.

Co-ordinate measuring machinery (CMM) along with a wide range of conventional measuring equipment is all regularly calibrated to ensure that the highest quality standards are maintained. All Laystall suppliers' are audited prior to approval and are constantly monitored for quality.