How to Choose the Right Locking Gas Spring for Your Equipment

To choose the right locking gas spring, you must match the locking characteristic to your application: select Rigid Locking for rock-solid stability (e.g., medical tables) or Elastic Locking for cushioned comfort (e.g., passenger seats). Additionally, you must define the correct force requirements for your load and prioritize automotive-grade components (IATF 16949 certified) to ensure precise control and prevent long-term failure like sinking.

If your application involves adjustable tables, medical beds, or passenger seats, you know the struggle: standard supports just push things fully open or fully closed. They lack control.

This is where a locking gas spring (also known as a lockable gas spring) becomes the game-changer. Unlike standard struts that simply lift, these components give your customers the power to stop a moving part at any desired position and hold it there securely.

Whether you are upgrading an existing design or sourcing components for a new product line, understanding how a gas spring with lock works will help you deliver a product that feels premium, safe, and easy to use.

Think of a standard gas spring as an “automatic opener.” Now, think of a locking gas spring as a “positionable support.” By adding a release pin mechanism, these springs allow the user to:

1. Press a lever/button: The spring moves freely, assisting with lifting or lowering.’
2. Release the lever: The spring locks instantly in that exact spot.

This simple mechanism transforms the user experience. Instead of fighting against gravity or heavy lids, your end-user gets smooth, one-handed adjustment.

This is the most common confusion for non-engineers. Not all locking springs feel the same. To choose the right Gastac gas strut, you need to ask: “Do I need it to be rock-solid, or should it have a little bounce?”

When the valve closes, the spring becomes solid like a steel rod. It will not move, even under heavy weight.

• Best for: Medical tables, operating beds, or safety-critical industrial flaps where any movement could be dangerous.

When locked, the spring still has a slight “suspension” effect. It holds the position but offers comfort if a sudden load is applied.

• Best for: Passenger seats or office chairs. It prevents the “hard hit” feeling when someone sits down heavily.

Eliminate the guesswork in your design process. Whether you need a short stroke for a compact medical device or high force for a heavy industrial cover, choosing the correct specifications is critical for safety and longevity.

To explore our full range of models and detailed performance data, please visit our locking gas spring product page.

When you buy a gas spring with lock for commercial or industrial use, consistency is key. A cheap spring might lock initially but start “sinking” or leaking oil after a few months of daily use.

As a dedicated gas springs manufacturer and gas springs supplier operating since 2007, we understand that component failure damages your brand reputation.

Here is how Gastac ensures your product stays reliable:

• Automotive Grade Standards: We are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. The same quality control used for car parts goes into your furniture or medical components.
• Long-Term Reliability: Every Gastac gas spring is backed by a two-year after-sales warranty.
• Volume & Consistency: Whether you need 50 units for a prototype or 5,000 for mass production, our wholesale capability ensures every batch performs identically.

You don’t need to calculate complex physics, but knowing these three things will help us recommend the perfect lockable gas spring for you:

1. 1. What is the application? (e.g., “A backrest for a dialysis chair.”)
   2. How heavy is the part being moved? (An estimate is fine.)
   3. Do you need it to be rigid or comfortable (elastic)?

If you are a manufacturer or distributor looking for bulk pricing or custom OEM solutions, please contact our engineering team directly for a quote and technical support.

For individual customers looking to replace a single strut for personal use, you can also browse our available stock specifically for small orders at our online shop.