5 Piston Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for pistons as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 piston manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked piston companies as of November, 2024: 1.TOMEI POWERED INC., 2.MAHLE Japan Ltd., 3.Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte.
Table of Contents
What Is a Piston?
Pistons are one of the key components inside an engine that converts the combustion energy of fuel into mechanical power.
There are two types of engines: reciprocating engines and rotary engines. Pistons move up and down inside a cylindrical part called a cylinder to produce the engine's power, which is the driving force that makes the car run.
Pistons are also used not only in automobile engines but also in engines for motorcycles, ships, and aircraft.
Uses of Pistons
Pistons are mainly used in engines, compressors, air compressors, and other equipment. These devices use a mechanism in which the pistons move up and down to generate power through thermodynamic changes, such as compression and expansion.
In an engine, the combustion energy of fuel is converted into mechanical power by the movement of the Pistons, and this power is transmitted to the drive wheels of the car via a component called the crankshaft. Air compressors and compressors also use the movement of pistons to compress gas and use the energy to generate power.
The number of pistons varies depending on the application, but the four-cylinder engine, which consists of four pistons, is widely used in standard passenger cars. These Pistons move back and forth inside a cylinder, which is called a cylinder, at more than 1,000 revolutions per minute. It is also called the heart of the car because it is a necessary device for generating the car's power.
Principle of Pistons
The principle of piston movement is that, in the case of an engine, the high pressure generated by the combustion of fuel causes the pistons to move up and down inside the cylinder. This movement is accomplished by repeating four motions (intake, compression, expansion, and exhaust).
1. Intake
This is the process of drawing air and fuel into the cylinder for compression. As the pistons descend, a negative pressure is created in the cylinder and the intake valves open, bringing in a mixture of air and fuel.
2. Compression
This is the process of the pistons rising and compressing the air-fuel mixture. With the intake and exhaust valves closed, the rising pistons compress the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder and raise its temperature.
3. Expansion (Combustion)
This is the process in which the spark plug sparks the compressed air mixture and causes it to burn. The hot, high-pressure gas generated by the combustion exerts a downward force on the Pistons, causing them to move downward. This movement generates power in the engine.
4. Exhaust
This is the process of exhausting the exhaust gases from the cylinder after combustion. The pistons rise again and the exhaust valves open to expel the post-combustion gases out of the cylinder.
The repetition of these processes causes the pistons to move up and down, producing power from the engine.
Structure of Pistons
Pistons are generally cylindrical metal parts, made primarily of materials such as aluminum alloys and cast iron. The main components of pistons are as follows:
Pistons are the heart of an engine, and their performance and durability greatly affect the performance and fuel economy of an automobile, so proper maintenance and replacement of parts is important.
1. Pistons Head
The piston head is the part of the cylinder where combustion takes place. It has a sturdy structure to withstand the pressure of the compressed air mixture and combustion gases.
2. Piston Rings
They fill the gap between the pistons and the cylinder, preventing gas leakage and ensuring proper distribution of lubricating oil. There are usually two types: compression rings and oil rings.
3. Piston Skirt
Located at the bottom of the pistons, it serves to support the steady movement of the pistons within the cylinder.
4. Piston Pins
The pistons are connected to the connecting rods (the parts that connect the crankshaft to the pistons) and transmit the movement of the pistons to the crankshaft.
List of 5 Piston Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- Germany
- Japan
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TOMEI POWERED INC.
FORGED PISTON KIT RB26DETT
Manufacturer Overview
Tomei Powered Inc., founded in 1968 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer specializing in performance parts for the automotive aftermarket. It produces a diverse range of products, including camshafts, exhaust systems, turbocharger components, and engine internals. Specifically, it aims on developing enginges and it offers Nissan A and L series, VR38, FD3S, and many more. These components cater to the automotive industry, particularly automotive enthusiasts and racing teams, seeking to enhance engine performance, increase horsepower, and improve overall vehicle efficiency.
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MAHLE Japan Ltd.
Aluminum pistons
Manufacturer Overview
Mahle Japan Ltd., established in 1968 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of components and systems for the automotive and industrial sectors. The company's products include components for E-mobility, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles, alongside magnet-free electric motors and 3D printing facilities. Its large engine components division collaborates with manufacturers to develop engine systems and provide cylinder liners, piston rings, and valves. Its small engine components division offers systems for recreational market engines and compressors, including mechatronic components and permanent-magnet alternating current generators. The company also provides fuel injection systems for optimized engine performance and emissions control.
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The GMV Martini SPA lift company
PISTONS AND ACCESSORIES
Manufacturer Overview
The GMV Martini Spa Lift Company, established in 1958 and headquartered in Italy, is a manufacturer of hydraulic lift components and complete elevator systems. The company produces lift doors, cars, and control panels for new installations, refurbishments, and home lifts. Its hydraulic green lift Fluitronic elevators feature energy-efficient dry motors and advanced safety features. Both independent and multinational lift companies utilize these products for installation and maintenance services. The company prioritizes safety enhancements for existing lifts, adhering to European standards to mitigate risks such as uncontrolled car movement.
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Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte
BUILT-IN PISTONS
Company Overview
Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte is based in Hessen, Germany, and is a manufacturer and supplier of clamping and handling technology products that was originally founded in 1870 before becoming part of the ROEMHELD Group of companies in 1990. The company offers magnetic clamping systems for clamping molds on presses or punches, hydraulic clamping components for clamping workpieces on machine tools, and related workpiece handling equipment such as rotary consoles. The company chiefly serves Germany’s metalworking and plastics industries, to whom it also provides technical support and onsite services.
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Piston Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOMEI POWERED INC. |
39.8%
|
| 2 | MAHLE Japan Ltd. |
25.9%
|
| 3 | Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte |
15.3%
|
| 4 | The GMV Martini SPA lift company |
10.1%
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| 5 | NIIKURA KOGYO CO.,LTD. |
8.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the piston page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- MAHLE Japan Ltd.: 71,947
- NIIKURA KOGYO CO.,LTD.: 100
- TOMEI POWERED INC.: 23
Newly Established Company
- Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte: 1979 (45 years ago)
- TOMEI POWERED INC.: 1968 (56 years ago)
- The GMV Martini SPA lift company: 1958 (66 years ago)
Company with a History
- MAHLE Japan Ltd.: 1920 (104 years ago)
- NIIKURA KOGYO CO.,LTD.: 1950 (74 years ago)
- The GMV Martini SPA lift company: 1958 (66 years ago)
Global Distribution of Piston Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
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3 | 75.0% |
Germany
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1 | 25.0% |
