The gas strut (also called a lift-o-mat damper) supports and guides the opening of lids, covers and doors on machines such as heat sealers, vacuum chambers and small vacuum packers, preventing them from staying stuck open or slamming shut.

Force in Newtons: the 100-199N range covers light-to-medium weight lids — a middle ground between the lighter models (0-99N) and those for heavier loads (1000-1500N). Too little force and the lid falls back down; too much and it snaps upward: it always needs to be matched to the weight and geometry of the original door.

How to choose the right spare part: besides the force in Newtons, the stroke length (extended and retracted length) and the mounting hole diameter on the brackets also matter. Brands in range: Lift-o-mat, Valko.

For other gas struts go back to Gas Struts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know how many Newtons I need?
The force is usually printed on the body of the original strut; alternatively it needs to be calculated from the weight and geometry of the lid to be supported.

Can I fit a stronger strut than the original?
No: an oversized strut makes the lid snap upward instead of guiding it, which is a risk to the user.