Which Conforti hydraulic cylinders are best for food and pharma?

For food, pharmaceutical and hygienic applications we recommend the nickel-plated CD NK / DK NK / MD NK cylinders — electroless nickel plating gives a smooth, corrosion-resistant surface suitable for damp and frequently washed environments.

How do the cylinders withstand washing and disinfection?

Electroless nickel plating (NK) withstands 1200 h in salt spray to ISO 9227 and resists water, steam and common cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. The surface is smooth and easy to wash down.

Are the cylinders suitable for hygienic applications?

The nickel-plated surface minimises the build-up of dirt and is easy to clean. For aggressive media it is combined with H (Viton) or G (HFC) seals depending on the specific fluid and temperature.

Can a nickel-plated cylinder be fitted with position sensing?

Yes. The MD NK series combines electroless nickel plating with magnetic position sensors, so you get corrosion resistance together with controlled positioning into a PLC.

Which seals should I choose for aggressive media?

For high temperatures and phosphate esters use H seals (Viton FKM up to +150 °C); for HFC fluids (water-glycol) use G seals. The choice depends on the specific medium and the operating temperature.

What are the lead times for nickel-plated cylinders and which currency do you invoice in?

Nickel-plated cylinders are delivered in 2–14 working days as standard, or within 48 hours for urgent orders. Quotations and invoicing are in EUR.

Do nickel-plated cylinders meet washdown cleanability requirements?

Electroless nickel plating creates a smooth, non-porous surface that is easy to clean and wash down — suitable for plants with frequent sanitation. We recommend adding a metal scraper ring and seals resistant to cleaning media.

How thick is the nickel layer and how durable is it?

Electroless nickel plating is around ~20 µm thick and evenly covers the entire surface, including threads. Its durability is verified by a 1200 h salt-spray test to ISO 9227, matching demanding damp and hygienic environments.

Nickel-plated hydraulic cylinders for food, pharma and hygienic applications

CD NK / DK NK / MD NK · ISO 6020/2 · 1200 h corrosion resistance

Nickel-plated double-acting hydraulic cylinders for the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, filling and packaging lines, and washing, CIP and sanitation stations. The CD NK / DK NK / MD NK series to ISO 6020/2 feature electroless nickel plating 20 µm over the whole body and a chromed stainless steel rod — corrosion resistance of 1200 h in salt spray, free of heavy metals and ammonia for frequent cleaning with corrosive detergents.

The envelope is identical to the standard CD / DK / MD, so it is a direct replacement with no machine modification. The MD NK series adds magnetic position sensors for dosing, filling and capping.

1200 h
corrosion resistance (salt spray): 20 µm
electroless nickel plating: 160 bar
operating pressure: Ø 25–200 mm
bore diameter

Select your cylinder configuration CAD 3D models Datasheet (PDF)

ISO 6020/2 Nickel plating 20 µm 1200 h corrosion resistance Free of heavy metals and ammonia

Food, pharma and hygienic applicationsElectroless nickel 20 µm over the whole body1200 h salt spray · rating 10Free of heavy metals and ammoniaWithstands sanitation and corrosive detergentsEnvelope identical to CD / DK / MDMD NK — position sensors into a PLC

MD NK Need position feedback in a hygienic application? The MD NK series is the nickel-plated version with piston-position sensing — magnetic SH (PNP) / SR (REED) sensors on the tie rods signal the position to a PLC. Ideal for dosing, filling and capping. Standard sensors are rated IP 67 (EN 60529) — check that this matches your plant conditions; the cylinder can also be fitted with your own sensors. MD NK cylinders with sensors → Nickel 20 µm Need maximum corrosion protection? The 20 µm nickel plating covers the whole cylinder body in a continuous layer — heads, flanges, tie rods and barrel — achieving 1200 h in salt spray (rating 10). A cost-effective alternative to all-stainless cylinders for washing, CIP and sanitation stations. Configure a nickel-plated cylinder →

Configurator

Select your cylinder’s parameters

Set the series, mounting, bore and stroke directly in the manufacturer’s CodeWizard. It builds the exact cylinder, generates the configuration code (SKU) and a technical datasheet, lets you download the CAD model, and sends your request for quotation straight to us — no separate inquiry form needed.

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Choose the series by application

Which nickel-plated cylinder for your hygienic application?

For food, pharma and sanitation, choose the nickel-plated CD NK / DK NK cylinders (ISO 6020/2). Where position feedback into a PLC is needed, the MD NK with a sensor is used. All with 20 µm nickel plating, 1200 h corrosion resistance and an envelope identical to the standard CD / DK. For dry environments outside the hygienic zone, the standard CD / DK is sufficient.

Industrial applications

Where nickel-plated cylinders are most often used

Food and beverage lines, filling, dosing and packaging machines, pharma and cosmetics, washing, CIP and sanitation stations — everywhere that is cleaned daily with corrosive detergents and where product contamination must be avoided, including plants where entire machine structures, cylinders included, are regularly washed down.

Withstands daily sanitation — and remains a direct replacement for the standard cylinder.

Food and beverages: Proven on real production lines — pressing meat products into shaped moulds, cutting and portioning dairy products. The nickel-plated surface withstands regular sanitation of entire machine structures.
Pharma and sanitation: Washing, CIP and sanitation stations with corrosive detergents — the smooth, non-porous surface is easy to clean and does not hold dirt.
Replacement: Envelope identical to the standard CD / DK / MD — replace a corroded cylinder directly, without switching to all-stainless and without machine modifications.

Typical deployments of this series CD / DK cylinders for injection moulding and plastics → MD / MP cylinders with position sensing → Help choosing a cylinder →

CAD & documentation

Free 3D CAD models and 2D drawings

The 3D model of the nickel-plated cylinder is identical to the standard CD / DK envelope — nickel plating does not change the dimensions. For CAD, therefore, use the configuration code without the NK suffix. STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL, DWG, DXF and PDF formats free of charge.

How to get a 3D model or drawing of a nickel-plated food-grade cylinder

Available formats

Frequently asked questions

FAQ on cylinders for food and pharma

Verified against Conforti Oleodinamica technical documentation.

Didn’t find your answer?

We usually send a quotation within one working day.

Open the configurator → poptavky@hydraulika.store