In a rodless cylinder, what component helps prevent the piston from slamming into the end caps?

• A. Shock absorber/end cushion
• B. Piston rod
• C. Sealing ring
• D. Guide rail

Answer: (A)

End cushioning decelerates the piston as it reaches the end of its stroke, absorbing the kinetic energy to prevent a hard impact with the end caps. In a rodless cylinder, this cushion gradually slows the piston so the stop is controlled, reducing wear, noise, and potential misalignment. The other parts have different roles: the piston rod (if present in a rodless design) isn’t meant for damping, sealing rings prevent leaks, and guide rails keep the motion straight but don’t provide a decelerating function at the end.