Hydraulic Cylinders for Use in Industrial Machinery
As high-capacity lifters, pullers, pushers and pressers, hydraulic cylinders fill a critical role in any field powered by industrial machinery. This includes the following industries:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Automotive
- Energy
- Oil & gas
- Aviation
These industries have one thing in common – they need heavy-duty equipment in many applications, and hydraulic cylinders put the “heavy duty” in industrial equipment.
How are Hydraulic Cylinders Used in Industrial Machinery?
Hydraulic cylinders convert fluid power into linear force, which can be useful for a range of industrial machinery. Some of the most common include:
- Construction equipment and machines – Hydraulic cylinders are incorporated into a variety of heavy construction machines, including excavators, bulldozers, and skid steer loaders. From site development to the last finishing steps, hydraulic cylinders are featured in heavy machinery along the way.
- Material handling – Material handling equipment such as cranes, pallet loaders, stackers, and forklifts rely on hydraulic power to lift and carry heavy loads. These workhorses are common in manufacturing centers, on construction sites and at mining operations, where frequent force application is needed.
- Die cast and injection molding equipment – In manufacturing centers, hydraulic cylinders are also used with fabrication equipment like die cast and heat injection equipment – both pressure and heat injection machines. During the fabrication process, hydraulic cylinders are responsible for maintaining a perfectly tight seal.
- Metal stamping and presses – Metal presses and stamping equipment also utilize hydraulic cylinders and are found in heavy duty fabrication centers. In both instances, the hydraulic cylinder is responsible for applying intense pressure and either bending or cutting out pieces of material.
- Bolting and fastening – Hydraulics are critical in the automotive industry as they are responsible for applying intense amounts of torque and fastening industrial-grade hardware. Hydraulic cylinders, along with torque wrenches and bolting equipment, deliver this force.
- CNC tool holding – Hydraulic cylinders play an important role in computer-based machining and manufacturing. Specifically, they make it possible for CNC tooling machines to maintain an unwavering grip on the tool, so products can be manufactured within ultra-tight tolerances.
Three Reasons Why Hydraulic Cylinders are Used in Manufacturing and Industrial Equipment
Hydraulic cylinders are a proven technology in widespread use across several industries. There are several reasons that hydraulic cylinders are the preferred choice, including:
- Excellent reliability – Hydraulics, and hydraulic cylinders by extension, are characterized by excellent reliability. The technology has been proven in many settings over many decades, with a strong safety and performance record that provides maximum value to companies.
- Unmatched power density – Hydraulic power possesses superior power density, compared to pneumatics and other alternatives. With its excellent power density, hydraulic cylinders can be scaled down to fit any application while delivering more power on a volume basis. That’s maximum cost efficiency.
- Simple to maintain – The engineering behind hydraulic cylinders is decades old and thoroughly understood by operators and technicians. When it’s time to service a hydraulic cylinder, it’s usually easy for an experienced technician to diagnose and correct. This means faster, less expensive repairs.
Nothing beats reliability and efficient power delivery when it comes to industrial machinery. And hydraulic cylinders provide both at an extremely high level.
Signs That Hydraulic Cylinders Need Maintenance or Repairs
Hydraulic cylinders are (relatively) simple to maintain, but only if that maintenance is provided by an experienced technician. If it has been a while since your hydraulic cylinders were inspected or serviced, your equipment may be showing signs of impending cylinder failure. Those signs include:
- Inefficient or unreliable power delivery – Hydraulic cylinders stroke smoothly and consistently when they’re in good condition. However, with time and wear, flaws on the piston rod or in the bore can interfere with consistent stroking. Hydraulic fluid contamination or a malfunctioning valve (either damaged or improperly configured) can also cause inconsistent power delivery. When this is the case, your hydraulic equipment may handle roughly during operation, or the hydraulic cylinder may not stroke at all.
- Overheating – When hydraulic fluid overheats, it could be a sign of contamination, a failing seal, clogged filters, or a failing heat exchanger. Anything that interferes with flow may also alter the fluid’s viscosity and thermal properties. It’s important to address overheating hydraulic fluid right away, as it can accelerate flow issues and component wear.
- Unusual sounds during operation – All hydraulic equipment makes noise during operation. This is also the case with hydraulic cylinders, though your operators will soon become familiar with the various sounds that they make. However, if they start producing a different set of sounds such as scraping, banging, whining or “growling,” this may indicate a change in the system’s operation. When unusual sounds emerge, it’s not always clear what is causing them, but it could indicate something serious like cavitation, which can cause potentially catastrophic wear such as deep pitting.
- Hydraulic fluid leaks or pooling fluid – If your hydraulic cylinders are leaking, the first sign your operators may notice is a drop in pressure. This is a tell-tale sign of internal leaks. Sometimes the leak is external and readily visible. Other times the leak is external but difficult to spot – in this instance, you may notice hydraulic fluid pooling around hydraulic cylinders, pumps, or lines. If this is the case, your hydraulic system will need a full inspection to pinpoint where fluid is escaping.
Protect Your Industrial Machinery with On-time Hydraulic Cylinder Maintenance
Hydraulic cylinders are used in a variety of industrial machines and in a variety of industrial settings. As long as they are maintained in good condition, they can provide reliable force application where extreme forces are needed. To ensure your industrial machinery – and the hydraulic cylinders that power it – remain in excellent operating condition, consider consulting with an expert hydraulic equipment technician. An experienced technician can take charge of your hydraulic maintenance and ensure your machinery does its job properly – whatever that job may be.