Algodoo

I first learned about dashpots back around the early 1960's when my brother showed me the internal components of his high-end tape deck that was made by American Concertone. If I recall, there were two dashpots that were mostly used to dampen two negative effects of the capstan drive that were known as "wow" and "flutter". I recall how impressed that I was because of the fact that the dashpot cylinders were made of glass, and the pistons were made of graphite. The precision fit between the piston and cylinder was just amazing to me, as they made a virtually perfect seal. Tiny adjustment screws at the ends of the cylinders were used to adjust the level of desired damping.

I found a video that describes real-world applications for these glass dashpots: Motion Damping with Air Dashpots

Thanks for the info and video link. That was very interesting. Regarding "two dashpots that were mostly used to dampen two negative effects of the capstan drive", I suspect that the dashpots were on tape tensioning arms, since the capstan drive is a rotary device, while dashpots are linear devices.

I think that Airpel-AB Air Bearing Cylinders, which are made from the same company that makes glass dashpots with graphite pistons, are also interesting.

s_noonan said: ".... I suspect that the dashpots were on tape tensioning arms,"

You are very likely correct. It was a long time ago, and I would be the first person to admit that my memory is far from being non-volatile!