Pneumatic Cylinder Maintenance Guide: Signs You Need Pneumatic Cylinders Repair

As you've probably experienced, there are quite a few things that can go wrong with a pneumatic cylinder. Knowing the signs to look out for, what they can be pointing to, and finally, how to perform proper pneumatic system maintenance, are the best ways to keep your cylinders in working order.

However, even with this knowledge, sometimes air cylinder repair is still necessary. Check out this easy guide on pneumatic cylinder repair and maintenance to learn about the signs and causes of cylinder problems and the fundamentals of their maintenance and repair.

General Signs That Your Air Cylinder Needs Repair

There are a number of problems that can occur in a pneumatic system so we've listed some common signs to look out for that indicate your cylinder will need repairing.

1. ‍Actuating too slowly or failing to actuate at all. If nothing is moving, it's a pretty clear indication that there's something wrong. It's essential to monitor the actuating pressure to avoid a full breakdown of the system.‍
2. A higher-than-normal pressure is required to actuate. If the control line is too small or the metering choke valve isn't working, it will usually result in low pilot control pressure. ‍
3. Hissing Noises. Hissing sounds coming from the air cylinder are a sign of a leak in the system. A damaged rod seal, damaged piston, or worn-out rod can cause this leak, leading to a loss of pressure and a decrease in the cylinder's performance.‍
4. Intermittent start-up. If air cylinders are overworked and overloaded, it will cause stress and higher friction in the seals. Actuators can fall apart as the rod ends bend or even break. When a system includes speed-control or energy-absorbing devices, it is possible to experience pressure spikes that exceed normal system pressures.‍
5. Load pulsing. Cylinders generally run smoothly and almost silently. If that's not the case, something is probably in need of repair. ‍
6. Visual corrosion or premature wear. These signs of damage on the cylinder body or end caps can occur due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions, such as high humidity, heat, or chemicals. These conditions can lead to rust, erosion, or pitting, compromising the cylinder's structural integrity and eventually leading to failure.

Typical Causes of Pneumatic Cylinder Failure

Below are some of the most common causes of air cylinder failure:

Side Loading

If your pneumatic cylinder is failing, the most likely culprit is side loading. When pressure is applied laterally to the axis it can cause a number of problems that will ultimately result in failure including uneven or accelerated piston rod and bearing wear, seal failure, and cylinder tube scoring, among others. 

Sideloading usually occurs because the pneumatic cylinder has been installed incorrectly into the system in which it operates. Once sideloading does happen, repairs should be made quickly to ensure more damage does not occur.

Insufficient Lubrication

If you want to avoid any problems with your pneumatic cylinder, be sure to maintain proper lubrication at all times. The seals within the cylinder require thorough and constant lubrication or else they will dry out and fail. 

Contamination

Another factor that could lead to pneumatic cylinder failure is contamination. Contaminants can restrict free movement within the cylinder by blocking the operating parts. This will not only reduce the overall functionality of the cylinder but also potentially lead to total system failure.

Contaminants like particulate matter, oil, water, and others, are often easily introduced into the pneumatic cylinder, either through the operating environment or the pneumatic air supply, and always with catastrophic results. 

Synchronization Issues

Any system with more than one pneumatic cylinder requires perfect synchronization of each component in order to work effectively. In order to maintain the synchronization of a complex system like this, there are a number of practices and methods in place that require careful monitoring and management. 

In the event that the pneumatic cylinders fall out of synchronization, the machine will stop functioning properly and most likely the entire system will fail. If this does occur, immediate pneumatic cylinder repair should be made. 

Exceeding Operational Limits

Cylinder failure is inevitable when you're operating it outside of the intended, optimal performance range. Exceeding these limits means the cylinder is exposed to excessive loads that stress the internal components of the cylinder. This leads to poor performance and almost always a premature failure. Preventative checks and maintenance can help you operate within the correct parameters and avoid this issue.

General Pneumatic Cylinder Repair Points

Knowing the basics of pneumatic cylinder repair will save your team downtime and cut costs. Below are some points regarding pneumatic cylinder maintenance and repair to keep in mind:

Pneumatic Cylinder Preventive Maintenance Fundamentals

There's never a guarantee that your pneumatic cylinder won't fail— they can't last forever. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid failure. When done consistently and properly, these steps can save you downtime and money:

1. ‍Installation: It might seem obvious, but installation is one of the most important parts of caring for your pneumatic cylinder. For example, if the wrong tools are used for installation it can directly affect the functionality and longevity of the system. Ensuring that the cylinder is installed properly will make it last much longer. ‍
2. Torque: In order for tie rods to be correctly installed, it is essential that fasteners are properly torqued. ‍
3. Filters: Changing filters regularly and according to manufacturer specifications will help protect your cylinder from damaging contaminants. ‍
4. Fittings: Check to make sure that the fittings aren't rusted or worn, as many contaminants are introduced into the pneumatic cylinder from contaminated fittings. 

With time, as pneumatic cylinders become more advanced and efficient, they also become more complex— and so do the problems that can occur. It's difficult to always know how to maintain pneumatic systems, not to mention repair them, to keep them at their highest operational efficiency level. 

Conclusion

This guide will help you identify problems and teach you to do the essential, basic pneumatic cylinder maintenance required to keep your system working. But sometimes, repairs are best left to the professionals. At Cylinders, Inc., we offer an extensive range of repair services for your pneumatic cylinders. We'll get to the root of the problem, complete the repairs and replace the necessary parts, and then test your cylinder to make sure it will work at maximum efficiency and productivity. 

Get in touch today and have your cylinders taken care of by our experts!