Axial piston pumps have several pistons that are arranged parallel to the drive shaft. They are available as either variable pumps or constant pumps.
Axial piston variable pumpsoperate, for example, according to the swash plate principle. They adjust the geometric output volume from maximum to zero. As a result they vary the flow rate that is provided to the consumers.
Axial piston constant pumpsoperate according to the bent axis principle. They have a constant output volume and therefore deliver a constant flow rate at a specific rotation speed.
![2ed30c866f9119d45158f9dfa251ce3ec98b6dc6 Schnittbild_V60N_Animation_HAWE](/fileadmin/smc/files/2ed30c866f9119d45158f9dfa251ce3ec98b6dc6.jpg)
Axial piston pump according to the swash plate principle
![d8d6e16852f069d141f54f0b349d2fd36e38d7f7 D7960N_8.rgb.100x100](/fileadmin/smc/files/d8d6e16852f069d141f54f0b349d2fd36e38d7f7.jpg)
Axial piston pump according to the swash plate principle (source: HAWE Hydraulik SE)
![4792807bda36ae1398c0eafd5f9b105af56bd72d Schnitt - Typ K60N](/fileadmin/smc/files/4792807bda36ae1398c0eafd5f9b105af56bd72d.png)
Axial piston pump according to the bent axis principle
![aa9f00d8a15d8a080424ab5e6ca2d188a689bd15 D7960K.rgb.120x120](/fileadmin/smc/files/aa9f00d8a15d8a080424ab5e6ca2d188a689bd15.jpg)
Axial piston pump according to the bent axis principle (source: HAWE Hydraulik SE)
When designing an axial piston pump, it is not only the functional principle that comes into play, but also whether the equipment is to be used in an open circuit or closed circuit.