Cylinder Availability and Lead Times

Cylinder Warehouse lists pneumatic cylinders that are available to order through established manufacturers, approved distributors and cylinder assembly services.

A product appearing on the website does not necessarily mean that the completed cylinder is physically held in stock at Cylinder Warehouse or at the manufacturer at the exact moment the order is placed.

Manufacturer and supplier stock information

Product availability is supported by manufacturer, supplier and distributor stock information. These stock feeds are normally refreshed every 24 to 72 hours, depending on the manufacturer and the data source.

Between stock-feed updates, completed cylinders or the components needed to build them may have been:

• Allocated to an earlier customer order
• Reserved against an existing quotation
• Used for another cylinder build
• Transferred between manufacturer locations
• Placed into a production schedule
• Temporarily unavailable because of a component shortage

For this reason, website availability should be treated as an indication that the product can be ordered rather than a guarantee that immediate physical stock remains available.

Available to order does not always mean completed stock

Some manufacturers hold completed cylinders in stock. Others hold the component parts needed to assemble or configure the cylinder after an order is confirmed.

A manufacturer may therefore show a cylinder as available even though the finished unit still needs to be built, configured, tested or entered into the production schedule.

Component availability

A standard cylinder can depend on the availability of several individual components, including the tube or profile, end caps, piston, piston rod, seals, guides, cushioning components and mounting parts.

Manufacturer stock systems may show the finished cylinder as orderable while one of the required components has already been allocated to another order or build.

Where a component is unavailable, the manufacturer may provide a revised build date or offer a different production route.

Built-to-order cylinders

Many standard pneumatic cylinders can be assembled from available components after ordering.

A typical build may take approximately 48 working hours, but the actual time can be shorter or longer depending on:

• Manufacturer and cylinder range
• Bore and stroke
• Component availability
• Required seals or piston rod options
• Cushioning and sensor configuration
• Mounting requirements
• Current production workload
• Order confirmation time
• Payment or approved account status

A 48-hour build indication is an estimate and must not be treated as a guaranteed completion time unless expressly confirmed in writing.

Cylinders already in production

Some cylinders may already be within a manufacturer’s production schedule when an availability check is completed.

The manufacturer may be able to provide an estimated completion date, but production timings can change because of component availability, testing, quality checks, factory workload or events outside the manufacturer’s immediate control.

Made-to-order and configured cylinders

Some cylinder specifications are manufactured, assembled or configured specifically for the customer’s order.

These can include non-standard strokes, special piston rods, seal options, corrosion-resistant materials, unusual mountings or application-specific configurations.

Once production, assembly or configuration has started, cancellation and return rights may be restricted. Any known restriction will be confirmed before the order is accepted.

Urgent orders

Customers requiring a cylinder urgently should contact Cylinder Warehouse before placing the order.

We can check:

• Current completed-cylinder stock
• Current component availability
• Manufacturer production status
• Express-build options
• Alternative manufacturers
• Same-day dispatch options
• Dedicated same-day delivery availability

Call 01530 229728 or email Sales@CylinderWarehouse.com.

Read Express Pneumatic Cylinder Build and Same-Day Delivery.

Large-quantity orders

Website availability may relate to one unit or a limited quantity and must not be assumed to cover a large-volume order.

Customers requiring multiple cylinders should contact Cylinder Warehouse before ordering so that we can confirm:

• The quantity currently available
• The quantity already allocated to earlier orders or quotations
• Remaining component stock
• Manufacturer production capacity
• Whether the order will be supplied in one or more batches
• The estimated completion and delivery schedule

Supplier and overseas stock

A cylinder may be available from a UK supplier, an overseas manufacturer, a European distribution centre or another international stock location.

Where a product needs to be imported, the estimated lead time may include:

• Manufacturer processing
• Export preparation
• International transport
• Customs clearance
• Final UK delivery

Imported-to-order products may also be subject to cancellation or return restrictions. These will be communicated before the order is accepted where applicable.

Stock allocation

Stock is not reserved merely because a quotation has been requested, a product has been viewed or an item has been added to the basket.

Allocation normally takes place after the order has been accepted and the manufacturer, supplier or Cylinder Warehouse has confirmed the available stock or build route.

Where payment, technical confirmation or account approval is outstanding, stock may remain available for allocation to another order.

Website order acknowledgements

An automated website order confirmation acknowledges that Cylinder Warehouse has received the order.

It does not by itself guarantee that:

• Manufacturer stock has been allocated
• All required build components remain available
• The manufacturer has accepted the production order
• A fixed dispatch date has been confirmed
• A fixed delivery date has been confirmed

Where availability needs to be checked, Cylinder Warehouse will review the order and contact the customer if the lead time, supply route or product status differs materially from the website information.

Availability changes after ordering

If the exact product becomes unavailable or the lead time changes materially, Cylinder Warehouse will contact the customer with the available options.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

• Waiting for the exact manufacturer product
• Accepting a revised lead time
• Using an express-build route
• Reviewing a suitable alternative manufacturer
• Supplying the order in more than one batch
• Cancelling the affected item where an acceptable supply route cannot be agreed

Alternative cylinders

Where the original product is obsolete, discontinued or unavailable, an alternative manufacturer may provide the only practical replacement route.

The proposed alternative manufacturer and part number will be identified, and known relevant dimensional, technical or accessory differences will be communicated before the order proceeds.

Where a business customer has already authorised the 24-hour alternative process, Cylinder Warehouse may proceed with the notified alternative if no written objection is received within 24 hours of notification.

Where no prior authorisation has been provided, the order will be held until the customer confirms acceptance.

Read Obsolete and Alternative Pneumatic Cylinders.

Lead-time estimates

Lead times are estimates unless a fixed commitment has been expressly confirmed in writing.

An estimated lead time can change because of:

• Stock being sold or allocated before confirmation
• Component shortages
• Manufacturer production changes
• Factory closures or holidays
• International transport disruption
• Customs clearance
• Courier or freight delays
• Technical information awaiting confirmation

Check availability before ordering

Customers should contact Cylinder Warehouse before ordering where:

• The cylinder is required urgently
• Production is already stopped
• A fixed delivery date must be met
• Several units are required
• The cylinder is large bore or long stroke
• The product is being imported
• The product is being built, configured or made to order
• The website information appears unclear

Call 01530 229728, email Sales@CylinderWarehouse.com or request a quotation.