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Testing a cylinder

To maintain safety at all times, systems using jacks must be checked every year. Poor maintenance can lead to serious malfunctions. These incidents sometimes have irreversible material and human consequences. To help you avoid the unthinkable, we'll take you through the different ways of testing a hydraulic cylinder. Let's get started!

The different types of cylinder

Before going over the methods for testing a cylinder, let's take a look at the types of cylinder currently available. You need to know exactly which type of cylinder you want to use, so that you can adapt the methods and obtain accurate information.

The choice of cylinder depends on its intended use. You won't be able to develop the same force depending on the cylinder you choose.

There are three main categories of actuator, each with its own characteristics.

Hydraulic jacks are the ideal choice if you want to work with very heavy loads. They are powered by a liquid fluid (oil), which means they can withstand greater forces than other types of jack. However, because of its weight and the size of the loads it will be handling, the hydraulic cylinder requires particularly careful maintenance and solid installation. What's more, they are slower to operate, which makes them unsuitable for certain tasks.

Pneumatic cylinders operate using compressed air. It is ideal for performing fast, repetitive actions, where its hydraulic counterpart will struggle to keep up. Its low cost and sturdiness make it the most widely used cylinder. What's more, industry professionals will opt for this alternative in environments containing explosive or flammable elements, as pneumatic cylinders do not require an ignition system.

Electric cylinders are recommended for high-precision work. Most electric cylinders have a margin of error of less than 0.001 mm. They can also be programmed in advance, enabling a competent operator to manage several cylinders simultaneously. They will not, however, match the power of hydraulic cylinders, but will exceed that of pneumatic cylinders.

Testing a cylinder

We will restrict ourselves here to testing a hydraulic cylinder, as this is the option that requires the most maintenance. The essential aspect of testing a hydraulic cylinder is to check that it is watertight.

The first thing to do is to test the external seal. To do this, build up pressure in the cylinder's small chamber (by retracting the cylinder). This will test the seal between the barrel and the cylinder head, and the seal between the cylinder head and the rod. You can obtain a pressure rise using a massive load, or an end-of-stroke stop.

To test the external seal in the large chamber, increase the pressure so that the cylinder extends. This will allow you to test the seal between the barrel and the bottom of the cylinder.

When it comes to testing the cylinder's internal seal, make sure you have properly drained your device of all air and oil.

Build up the pressure and try to isolate the cylinder from the rest of your hydraulic system, using a valve for example. Observe the change in pressure to check that your cylinder is working properly.

You can also leave the orifice of the large chamber open after building up pressure, to check for any leaks.

We hope we've given you all the information you need on how to test a cylinder!

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