AIM-Joraco had the overarching goal of building a sophisticated high-tech production line. With this, we developed an automated press-fitting hub assembly cell system for a major tractor manufacturer by combining our expertise in pneumatic press engineering and industrial automation. This custom press solution is designed to precisely press fit bolts into tractor wheel hubs.
How Does the Assembly System Work?
This assembly system features two 8-ton AIM Joraco Hydro-Aire® presses, a rotary electric motor mounted on top of a pneumatically powered linear slide, and an optical sensing system.
As the operator activates the system and loads the hub into the press with loosely inserted pins, the linear slide moves the wheel into position. Next, the optical sensors guide the electric motor as it rotates the wheel hub until one bolt is accurately located under each press. The presses then activate simultaneously with precise force to insert the perfectly aligned bolts into the hub. Once that is done, the motor moves the succeeding two bolts into position, and the process repeats until every bolt is in its place. Lastly, the part is manually ejected after the slide retracts.
AIM-Joraco Wheel Hub Assembly Machine
AIM-Joraco constructed the assembly machine by incorporating two of its HP8 Series Hydro-Pneumatic Presses into a custom-built press frame. As a result, the machine takes up only 7.5 square ft. of floor space, with a footprint of 45 in. long x 24 in. wide. A safety light curtain has also been installed to protect operators from machine motion injuries.
PLC Control Unit provides control and logic verification to ensure the bolts are pressed to the correct depth and that all the bolts are processed.
Linear Slide System then shuttles the finished hub assembly to allow the operator to remove and repeat the process.
Capabilities Applied
Press Fit Bolts: These are used to connect flange couplings.
Rotational Positioning: During installation, the bolt is positioned in the coupling holes in a clearance condition, and the sleeve expands by drawing the bolt through the sleeve to provide a proper interference fit.
Optical Sensing for Positioning: Position sensors detect movement or determine an object’s perceived position relative to a known reference point.
Equipment Integrated into Solution
2x Hydro-Aire 8 Ton Presses: An AIM-Joraco alternative to the hydraulic press featuring a rapid motion with automatic power stroke and is fully contained with no hydraulic lines or fluid reservoirs. With presses ranging in capacity from two to 16 tons of force, it also produces accurate and reliable results.
Optical Sensors: Electronic components that detect incident light rays and convert them into electrical signals.
Electronic Motors: Devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Linear Pneumatic Cylinder: A mechanical device that converts the energy in compressed air into a linear reciprocating motion.
Light Curtain: An electro-optic device used to protect personnel in the proximity of potentially hazardous machinery.
AIM-Joraco – Number One in Service and Innovation
Our 75+ years of service experience enables us to provide quality presses that meet a wide range of special requirements. To learn more about this system or our other custom product assembly solutions, contact AIM-Joraco today!
When cutting a particular shape from a material, die-cutting makes the process more efficient and accurate than cutting by hand. Die-cutting uses a die and a machine to cut, which produces more consistent results in less time, making it great for a variety of applications. Due to die-cutting’s ability to cut intricate shapes from paper and other materials, it’s frequently used for the fine arts and medical industries.
Using Die-cutting Machines
A die-cutting machine is used to cut custom shapes from different materials, including paper and vellum. The machine consists of cutting plates and rollers, which apply pressure to a die to press it through the base material, creating the desired shape. Using a custom die featuring nearly any shape imaginable, you can cut the same shape repeatedly with more efficiency and minimal risk of mistakes.
There are two main types of die-cutting machines available: manual or digital die-cutting machines. Digital machines, which often use laser technology to complete die cuts, connect to computers. Designs are cut either from scratch or designs created in software. Laser die-cutting machines offer more accuracy, precision, and efficiency than other types of die-cutting machines.
Cleanrooms provide a controlled environment with minimal exposure to contaminants. They are used in a variety of industries where dust and debris, microorganisms, chemical vapors, or aerosolized particles might impact the efficacy of a process or product. Selecting equipment designed for use in cleanrooms is critical for maintaining the sterilization and cleanliness standards of the environment.
WHAT LEVEL OF CLEANROOM DO YOU HAVE?
Cleanroom levels vary depending on the needs of the application. The requirements for each class of cleanroom are determined by ISO 14644 standards, as well as corresponding FED STD 209E standards. These guidelines set specific rules regarding the number of particles that can be present in the cleanroom’s air supply, as well as the size of those particles. ISO Class 1 has the highest purity standards, while ISO Class 9 is roughly equivalent to the air quality of standard rooms.
At AIM Joraco, we offer pneumatic presses for use in cleanrooms. We have three levels of pneumatic press available to suit varying cleanroom levels:
Level 1 (Cr-1)
· Exhaust air cleanliness: Equivalent to ISO Class 5 (FED STD Class 100); particles of 0.3 µm or larger (3.5 particles/ℓ or less)
· Downstream cleanliness: Particles of 0.3 µm or larger: 100 particle or less/ft³ (35 particles or less/10 ℓ ANR)
· Element life: One year from first use (or when upstream pressure reaches 0.1 MPa, even if less than one year from first use)
· Element life indication (saturated with oil): Element color indication (replace if red dots appear on the element surface, even if less than one year from first use)
· Element construction: Worry-free two-stage element construction prevents external discharge
· Silencing effect: 40 dB (A) or more
LEVEL 2 (CR-2)
· Exhaust air cleanliness
· Stainless steel contact surfaces: Stainless steelbolster plate and ram with wiper system
Industries That Benefit From Cleanroom Pneumatic Presses
Pneumatic presses for cleanrooms offer an ideal solution for use in a variety of industries. Our presses are currently used in industries such as:
· Pharmaceutical
· Life science
· Regenerative medicine
· Surgical
Cleanrooms with pneumatic presses play a central role in creating a variety of life-saving products and equipment. Some cleanroom applications for pneumatic presses include:
· Tissue cutting and sampling
· Implant assembly
· Medical device assembly
Tons Of Force No Matter Which Press
Our presses are available in a broad range of tonnages to suit varying application needs. At AIM Joraco, we offer three different series of pneumatic presses to suit cleanroom needs:
· Toggle Aire Series:½–16 tons
· Hydro-Pneumatic Series: 2–16 tons
· Direct-Air Series: 15–5,000 lbs.
If you’d like to learn more about our pneumatic presses for cleanroom applications, contact us today to speak to a customer service representative.
Aim Joraco Provides Solution For World’s Leading Provider Of Technology To The Oil & Gas Industry
At AIM Joraco, we are pleased to offer the highest quality precision pneumatic and toggle presses, rotary indexing machines, and fabrication tooling for a wide range of applications. Our toggle presses offer superior accuracy and reliability, so you can be sure that your manufacturing and assembly processes are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible without the mechanical complications common with hydraulic and power presses.
WHAT IS A TOGGLE PRESS?
A toggle press is a metal fabrication tool used to bend or indent metal stock or sheets. Rather than using electrical power, a toggle press relies upon pneumatic power to exert force through a series of strategically placed levers.
The mechanism consists of toggle lever connected to a secondary toggle, which manipulates the compressing piston by pressing it downward into flat material fastened to the press table. The use of toggles significantly increases the pressure placed on the material by multiplying the force. As such, toggle presses often exceed the available force of other common bending methods such as hammer striking. Incorporating pneumatics into the system enables an exponential increase in available force, significantly increasing pressure while reducing manual strain on operators.
Aim Joraco’s Toggle Presses
AIM Joraco provides superior toggle presses that meet the diverse needs of customers across manufacturing verticals. Our press capacities range from ½ ton up to 16 tons at 100 psi, ensuring that we have an appropriate machine for nearly any application.
· 16-ton press– TOGGLE-AIRE® Model 3530 Benchtop Pneumatic Press
· 10-ton press– TOGGLE-AIRE® Model 2530 Benchtop Pneumatic Press
· 5-ton press– TOGGLE-AIRE® Model 1530 Benchtop Pneumatic Press
· 3-ton press– TOGGLE-AIRE® Model 1030 Pneumatic Press with Toggle Action
· ½-ton press– TOGGLE-AIRE® Model 500 HP Manual Press
Aim Joraco: The Pneumatic Toggle Press Innovators
Since 1961, AIM Joraco has been dedicated to the production of reliable and innovative presses and indexing machines with simple, safe designs that are easily controlled and maintained. Our knowledgeable engineers provide in-depth analyses of new and existing equipment to better integrate our press into your cell or automated line.
All of our equipment is manufactured using top-of-the line castings and weldments at our Smithfield, Rhode Island facility. Our equipment is accurate, dependable, and cost-effective. For more information on our press products and services, contact us today!
Pneumatic presses offer a range of benefits in a wide range of applications. These machines are great due to their:
power
speed
cleanliness
low maintenance
Pneumatic presses generate a force greater than manpower( manual press usually known as an arbor press) alone can supply. It can be used for pressing, squeezing, forming, and other actions. Removes the potential for repetitive strain on the operator, increases efficieny, and pressing repeatability resulting in better quality parts and reducing costs over time.
HOW DOES A PNEUMATIC PRESS WORK?
The potential force of a pneumatic press comes from compressed air pressing against a piston inside an enclosed cylinder, The area of the piston multiplied by the air pressure determines the force generated by the press. The actuation of the press comes from either an air or electric signal, typically generated by an operator when running manually, or by a PLC in an automated system setup. The signal to the press can be configured to create a complete cycle for each signal sent. It also can be configured for Constant Signal Required (CSR) whereby the operator is required to maintain the input signal for the press to actuate, staying down, applying force until the operator removes the signal, then the press would retract. Operators typically use an anti-tie down controller which requires two hand operation to insure the operator’s hands are free from the work area and potential risk of injury. PLC actuated systems utilize sensors and pyhsical/light curtain guarding to insure operator safety.
Direct double acting pneumatic presses are the most widely used type in industrial applications. These types of presses use air to advance and retract the cylinder, which is beneficial for applications with heavy tooling attachments, and applicaitons that require quick response and cycle times.
Method of Operation Hydraulic presses function similarly to the principles of the pneumatic press. However, instead of compressed air, the driver for their movement is a fluid base.
Maintenance Pneumatic presses do not require much in terms of maintenance.
If there is a leak, then only air escapes, which can be easily replaced once the leak has been repaired.
Conversely, if a hydraulic machine leaks, it loses fluids, which creates a mess that requires time to clean up.
Capabilities Pneumatic presses operate at very high speeds, whereas hydraulic presses operate at much slower speeds.
A GUIDE TO PNEUMATIC PRESS SAFETY Employee safety is the most crucial component of every industrial setting. Therefore, it’s important that you properly train your employees and operate each piece of equipment with care.
Release all compressed air Whether the pneumatic press is shut down, undergoing maintenance, or merely inactive, it’s critical that the compressed air in the machine is released correctly.
Every pneumatic press should have a release valve (labeled “lockout/tagout”). This valve will safely and effectively release all compressed air back into the environment.
Failure to release air properly can result in serious injury to employees.
Restrain all tubing
Tubing is overlooked in shop settings. However, pneumatic press tubing has the potential to cause injury if snapped or broken.
To mitigate this risk, group bundle/bond all tubing.
Proper training
Like any shop machine, adequate training is critical towards reducing potential injuries. It’s crucial that all employees are trained to industry standards on any new or old machine the shop.
Risk assessments
Again, like all other machines in the shop, performing regular risk assessments on your press can lower potential safety hazards.
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING FOR YOUR PNEUMATIC BENCH PRESS
If you own a pneumatic bench press, troubleshooting potential problems is typicvally quick and strait forward. Refering to schematics, pneumatics have three basic components: The air cylinder, the power valve, and the signal source(actuator).
To obtain an accurate diagnostics, the best course would be to contact your pneumatic bench press manufacturer to diagnose and assist with fixing the problem.
In the meantime, here are a few steps you should take to diagnose and troubleshoot common problems associated with your pneumatic presses.
Do you hear any leaks in the system? First and foremost you want a have an air leak free setup. When the air supply is turned on be sure your hands are away from the pressing area.
When you operate the actuator, does the press cycle? If not, remove the signal out from the actuator and try to cycle to see if signal is present. IF not, the actuator may need repair/replacement. If the press is going down but not generating full force, check you air supply line to confirm adequate pressure is supplied to the press. If the press is not properly maintained and lubricated, it is possible you need to replace the seals and o-rings in the cylinder.
What do you use your press for?
If you work in clean room enviroments, such as medical device manufacturing and aerospace, pneumatic presses can be configured to be compliant to Class 100 Cleanroom particulate compliance. Utilizing stainless steel construction and air particulate filteration systems, clean room pnuematic presses have many advantages in these types of applications. Clean, efficient, quiet, ease of use, and trouble free; pnuematic presses have flexibility and functionality to meet your needs.
If you have an application running small production runs, but need accuracy, repeatability and ease of operation, the pneumatic press is well suited to offer a quick, flexible and cost-efficient solution configured for manual operations.
For applications with higher volumes, longer run times, or secondary processes, a pneumatic press solution that includes PLC controls is easily configurable. Pneumatic presses can be setup with end of stroke sensors to provide feedback to the PLC to insure the press reaches bottom of stroke to perform the work, and top of stroke to know when the press has completed the operation. PLC working with other inputs can provide for an effecctive automated solution while maintaining cost-effective, low maintenence production.
If a malfunction in your pneumatic press has been resolved, be sure to record where and when the incident took place to ensure you’re keeping an accurate log. This will be useful in the future if any other problems may occur.
Since the start of the TOGGLE-AIRE® press line in 1961, our goal has been to build reliable, user-serviceable production equipment designed to provide the buyer many years of duty. Options for this press include:
The DIRECT-AIRE® press series features a straight pneumatic cylinder for applications requiring full force over the entire stroke, such as assembling bushings, posts, inserts, fasteners, and related products.
It is suitable for a wide range of manual and semi-automatic assembly operations, our Direct-Aire® Presses offer a standard 4.5” stroke, providing from 314 to 7,800 lbs; giving you the most efficient and accurate results possible.
AIM JORACO’SHydro-Pneumatic (HP) PressSeries offers clean, reliable, and accurate results.
This series is a much cleaner alternative to the hydraulic press and offers the same advantages.
It is fully contained with no fluid reservoirs or hydraulic lines and features rapid advance with an automatic power stroke.
Suitable for a wide range of manual and semi-automatic assembly operations, this press is offered with a standard 4” stroke with 1/2″ power stroke, providing from 2 to 16-tons of force, in both C-Frame and H-Frame configurations and is manufactured in the US from steel plate.
Contact AIM Joraco “The Pneumatic Toggle Press Innovators”
and HYDRO-AIRE line of precision pneumatic & manual toggle presses, semi-automatic rotary indexing machines, and assembly and fabrication tooling.
Our compact, bench air presses are available with forces from 1/2 to over 16 tons.
Whether you are staking, swaging, stamping, crimping, forming, riveting, punching, piercing, blanking, assembling, laminating, or marking… our c-frame and H-frame presses offer you a low cost, field-proven, time tested alternative to costly and complicated power presses and hydraulic presses.
Each type of heat press brings different processing advantages.
Depending on the materials that your facility processes and the finished pressed products you need, heat presses can be an optimal tool for working with clothing, plastics, and metal.
The most common types of heat presses include:
Manual Heat Press
Workers operate manual presses to directly manipulate them during material processing. While manual heat presses enable a human-level degree of precision over the heat-pressing process, they also require constant monitoring of the materials and the timer to open the press in time.
Because these presses use manual power, they tend to produce much lower levels of force and work best on thin and malleable materials.
Semiautomatic Heat Press Semiautomatic presses use machines to augment the force that workers apply to the press. For example, when a worker pushes downward on the press, the machine knows to apply a predefined amount of force onto the pressing medium.
Many semiautomatic presses also have automated timing and opening functions, making mass production easier.
The benefits of these presses include:
More standardized products because of automated processing times
Safer and easier working conditions for operators
Pneumatic Heat Press
Pneumatic presses offer more powerful pressure and automated functionality than the above two presses. As with semiautomatic heat presses, pneumatic heat presses have automated timers and automated releases.
Each step is also controlled through knobs or foot pedals instead of workers manually operating the press.
If your facility frequently needs to process materials on a heat press, pneumatic presses offer a greater range of functionality. These presses also reduce the risks of operator fatigue and repetitive stress injuries.
Joraco’s Model DA-800HS
Presses improve in functionality as the amount of psi they generate rises. Joraco’s Model DA-800D-HS-2 Heat Stamp generates forces of up to 5,000 lbs of continuous force at 100 psi.
This pneumatic heat press is fully valved and uses a standard SS-PB-18 two-hand controller for easy operation.
If your company needs a heat stamp system that can offer a wide range of pressing options, AIM-Joraco’s systems are the machines for you. Our products can be tooled for the following applications:
Cutting and pressing
Laminating and heat sealing
Solventless oil extractions
Heat transfer
We also offer a range of custom press features to tailor pneumatic heat presses so they can meet your individual needs.
Our electric heat stamp packages, for example, give oil extraction companies a safe alternative to traditional extraction processes. Joraco’s heat stamp systems are also OSHA compliant, helping keep your facility and employees safe.
The Model DA-800HS-2 pneumatic heat press has a 2” stroke with a 4” or 6” open height for easy material manipulation.
Quality Solutions for Pressing Situations
At AIM-Joraco, all our pneumatic heat presses and other press options are designed to give your company the greatest possible range of stamping and pressing functionality. We’ve spent over 70 years in pursuit of this goal, listening to what our customers need and innovating our tools to in response.
Contact us today with your force requirements and heat press specifications to learn how you can get started.
Presses are widely used across the manufacturing industry. A wide variety of different presses serve different purposes in specific industrial scenarios. The most popular of these is the pneumatic press — or air press machines.
The pneumatic press utilizes compressed air or inert gas as a source of energy and power. To do this, air is forced into a cylinder at the top of the press. When pressure is applied to this air, it moves the press piston downwards to perform a specific action, such as punching, stamping, bending, shearing, or other functions. This makes pneumatic presses different from mechanical and hydraulic presses, which both utilize different types of power to provide power to the pistons/rams.
While each one of these types of presses does have safety mechanisms, it is important that you fully understand how to properly use these machines.
In this post, we review pneumatic press safety. But first, here are the main differences between pneumatic and hydraulic presses.
Difference Between Hydraulic and Pneumatic Press Machines
There are many differences between the hydraulic and pneumatic presses, and it’s critical that any shop looking to invest in a press thoroughly understands the distinctions between these two machines.
Function. While the pneumatic press leverages compressed air as a power source, the hydraulic press uses pressurized liquid. For most hydraulic machines, this liquid is some type of oil. Hydraulic presses contain a piston that presses down into a chamber that’s filled with oil. This pressure causes the oil to move and press onto other components that ultimately move the press downward to perform a function.
Speed. Pneumatic presses are much faster than hydraulic presses—around 10 times faster. This makes pneumatic presses well-suited for most industry scenarios, as faster speeds and outputs lead to greater efficiencies and better cost control. However, the slow speed of the hydraulic press can be advantageous for some industry needs such as hydroforming.
Force. The hydraulic press contains greater force than the pneumatic press, which may be ideal for some industries. Hydraulic presses offer better performance when working with extremely heavy materials or a large variety of thick resources.
Cleaning. Since pneumatic presses operate within a closed system where the air is the only incoming material, they rarely need to be cleaned. Hydraulic presses, on the other hand, utilize oils, which means that they must be on a regular cleaning schedule.
Environment. Since hydraulic presses use oil, they carry the potential to negatively impact the environment. Issues such as oil leakage can taint equipment, require expensive oil replacements, and cause environmental hazards. The pneumatic press, of course, has a very little environmental impact due to its power source, which is only air.
Noise. The pneumatic press typically creates more noise than the hydraulic press due to the nature of compressed air.
A Guide to Pneumatic Press Safety
Employee safety is the single most crucial component of every industrial setting. Therefore, it’s important that you properly train your employees and operate each piece of equipment with care and diligence.
Here are some pneumatic press safety tips that any shop using a pneumatic press should follow.
Properly release all compressed air
Whether the pneumatic press is shut down, undergoing maintenance, or merely inactive, it’s critical that the compressed air in the machine is released correctly. Every pneumatic press should have a release valve – usually labeled “lockout/tagout” – that will safely and effectively release all compressed air back into the environment. Failure to release air properly can result in serious injury to employees. Make sure to be diligent when it comes to any form of stored energy.
Restrain all tubing
Tubing is often overlooked in shop settings. However, pneumatic press tubing has the potential to cause injury if snapped or broken. To mitigate some of this risk, simply group bundle/bond all tubing.
Proper training
Like any shop machine, adequate training is critical towards reducing potential injuries. It’s crucial that all employees are trained to industry standards on any new or old machine the shop.
Risk assessments
Again, like all other machines in the shop, performing regular risk assessments on your pneumatic press can mitigate potential safety hazards.
Pneumatic Presses from AIM Joraco
The pneumatic press is one of the most popular presses for many reasons: it’s fast, accurate, and clean. For most settings, the pneumatic press is a better choice than the hydraulic press due to its speed and simplicity.
When it comes to using one, always make sure you use they pneumatic press safety guidelines to ensure your workers do not risk injury.
To learn more about pneumatic press systems from AIM Joraco, please contact us.
From dental equipment to roofing guns to tractor brakes, you will find pneumatic systems in a wide range of applications. In manufacturing, machining, and other industrial applications, pneumatic presses offer a range of benefits, including power, speed, cleanliness, and low maintenance. These presses generate a force greater than manpower alone can supply. It can be used for pressing, squeezing, forming, and other actions in myriad industrial settings.
How Does a Pneumatic Press Work?
The potential force of a pneumatic press comes from compressed air or gas. An electrical charge sets the machinery into motion, feeding compressed air or gas into cylinders or tubes connected to the actual press mechanism. When the gas fills the tubes, the resultant pressure forces the movement – usually downward – of the press mechanism.
How Does a Pneumatic Press Work?
The potential force of a pneumatic press comes from compressed air or gas. An electrical charge sets the machinery into motion, feeding compressed air or gas into cylinders or tubes connected to the actual press mechanism. When the gas fills the tubes, the resultant pressure forces the movement – usually downward – of the press mechanism.
When this movement is complete, the gas then escapes through exhaust valves, and mechanical springs push the mechanism back into its original position. Direct acting pneumatic presses are the most widely used type in industrial applications.
Differences Between Mechanical and Pneumatic Presses
There are several key differences between the pneumatic press and its counterparts, such as hydraulic or mechanical presses. These include:
Method of Operation
Hydraulic presses function on similar principles to pneumatic presses, but instead of compressed air, the driver for their movement is a fluid—usually a type of oil.
Maintenance
Pneumatic presses do not typically require much in terms of maintenance. If there is a leak, for example, then only air escapes, which can be easily replaced once the leak has been repaired. Conversely, if a hydraulic machine leaks, it loses fluids, creates a mess that requires time to clean up, causing increased expense for both the lost fluid and the downtime.
Capabilities
Pneumatic presses often operate at very high speeds, whereas hydraulic presses are much slower in their movements. Since pneumatic presses operate with air instead of liquid, they cannot achieve the same level of consistency in their application of force that a hydraulic press can. The optimal choice between a pneumatic press and a hydraulic press often comes down to the speed and pressure requirements of the intended application.
Pneumatic Press Safety Procedures
As with all industrial machinery, it is important to follow rigorous safety guidelines when working with a pneumatic press. Here are two important recommendations to ensure the safety of pneumatic press operators:
1. Properly release compressed air.The sudden, improper release of compressed air can cause serious injury or death. Therefore, it is vital that works know how to properly release the machine’s compressed air. Each press should have a relief valve – often called a dump valve – that allows the air to escape in a controlled fashion. The dump valve should be used before press inspections, during emergency situations, in another lockout/tagout scenarios, or when operations are completed—if the press is inactive, there should be no compressed air in it at all.
2. Restrain all equipment tubing. Tubes that contain compressed air may be hazardous if they break loose from their sockets or spring a sudden leak. Therefore, it is important to bundle them together with cords or bonds that will reduce the risk of a tube whipping out and harming a worker. For higher pressure applications, it may be necessary to encase the tubes in extra protective equipment.
How Pneumatic Presses Can Benefit You
Pneumatic presses can be used in many commercial and industrial applications, offering fast, clean, affordable, and low-maintenance power for machinery across myriad industries. At AIM Joraco, we have been experts and innovators in the field of pneumatic presses since 1947. We provide comprehensive pneumatic press solutions to clients in manufacturing, assembly, and more.
If you think a pneumatic press solution could be the answer to a challenge in your operation, please to discuss your options or request a quote.
If your business relies on pneumatic press machines to keep operations running smoothly, you’ll understand why dealing with unexplained equipment issues is so frustrating. When you can’t perform the pneumatic press uses as intended, your entire business may be disrupted. In order to restore productivity and maintain employee safety, it’s essential that you invest time in evaluating your pneumatic presses when something goes awry. To that end, here are six steps to take when evaluating pneumatic system malfunctions.
Prioritize Safety: Before you can actually assess what’s wrong, you have to take the proper safety precautions. If you fail to follow procedures when inspecting pneumatic systems, you may leave yourself and others around you vulnerable to serious injury. Ensure that the electrical power supply has been turned off and that all safeguards have been employed before inspecting or repairing pneumatic press components. Lockout valves should be used whenever possible to prevent accidental operation.
Conduct a Visual Inspection: Your evaluation will begin before you ever touch any part of the pneumatic system. Taking a simple walk around the machine itself may illuminate the source of the issue. It could be that a component is loose or broken or that a hose has burst. If you can identify the root of the problem right away, you’ll save valuable time and can move on to the repair or replacement stage without delay.
Read All Documentation: If you are unfamiliar with the various pneumatic press uses and components, you must take the time to peruse the schematic drawing and the service manual for the press. The schematic drawing can explain how each component functions and point to likely sources of trouble. The service manual can also offer valuable troubleshooting advice and help you to determine the likely source of the malfunction. Even if you’ve been working with pneumatics for quite some time, you should still look over these documents carefully when trying to assess the issue.
Ask What, When, and Where: You need to have a strong understanding of the issue at-hand in order to tackle it properly. But that might not always be easy to come by. It may help if you keep three questions in mind. First, ask what is (or is not) happening in the system’s operation that deviates from its normal settings. Normally, stroke cycles for pneumatic press uses can reach speeds of up to 400 strokes per minute; however, if there’s a disruption in these stroke cycles, you’ll need to determine this deviation first. Then, ask when the problem began. A sudden breakdown will point to a very different problem than a gradual failure. Finally, ask where in the cycle the problem occurs. An issue that presents itself immediately after starting up the machine will likely not have the same cause as a problem that pops up well into the operational process. The answers to these questions can inform your understanding of the condition; you may be able to determine whether it’s a recurring issue or whether it’s an emergency that came out of nowhere.
Operate the Machine: After you’ve taken safety precautions and evaluated the aforementioned information, you can carefully operate the machine once more to assess whether the problem will present itself again. In order to determine the problem, you’ll need to see it in action. Remember to visually inspect the machine while it’s in operation. During this time, you should see whether there’s any obvious air leakage, whether all specified levels are being met, and how all the components move together. After this operation, you can make a list of likely causes that either you or a repair professional can check out.
Repair or Replace When Needed: In order for your business to accurately perform the necessary pneumatic press uses, repairs or replacements may be required. You or your repair professional will narrow down the list of possible problems, after which the most likely issue will be conclusively tested. If this test reveals the cause, you can then repair or replace the component responsible for the malfunction. After this has been performed, you’ll report your findings to maintain good record-keeping for your pneumatic system.
When the average person pictures pneumatic presses, they might think of an industrial manufacturing application that they never really get a chance to see in action. And that may often be the case, considering that pneumatic press machines often do work “behind the scenes” to make the products we use on a daily basis. But while you may think pneumatic press uses are rather mundane, the reality is that we have pneumatics to thank for some of the most exciting attractions we experience. That’s right: they’re frequently used in our favorite roller coasters and thrill rides at amusement parks all across America.
The origins of pneumatic systems can be traced back to the 18th century, but they’re still being used today in many of the most beloved theme park rides. Let’s take a closer look at the hidden ways pneumatics allow us to experience so much fun.
Where You Can Find Pneumatic Systems in Coasters and Thrill Rides:
Even before the actual ride begins, pneumatics are at work. When the coaster train comes close to the loading station, there are usually gates that make sure you can’t enter the attraction prematurely. But suddenly, when the time is right, the gates open all at once. This simultaneously timed opening is thanks to a pneumatic cylinder system. It’s a very sophisticated system in that the pressure is precisely controlled so that the gates can open completely but that this is done in a gentle way.
Once you enter the ride and sit down, you’ll be restrained in some way into the seat. There may be a traditional method like a seat belt, but there will also be something like a lap bar that keeps you in place. The lap bar is held in place via a mechanical system, but the release of the lap bar is typically due to pneumatics. The restraints are released or locked in the loading and unloading station when the cylinders break or complete the circuit. While there is typically a mechanical override system set in place, your ability to be secured and released before and after the ride is usually attributed to a pneumatic system.
Traditionally, air brakes could be found in just about every roller coaster. These brakes utilize pressurized air in a way that’s mimicked in other types of pneumatic presses. However, those types of brakes aren’t as popular today. You’ll often find magnetic brakes in today’s coasters — but pneumatics still play a part. Strong magnets are used to bring a car to a stop, but these magnets are so powerful that they need to be physically removed so that the train can move forward into the loading station after passengers exit the ride. Pneumatic technology is used to move those magnets away, allowing the train to progress and be loaded all over again.
But pneumatic cylinders are used for more than rider safety. They can actually add to the overall experience of the ride, as well. Pneumatic cylinders may be used to create the illusion of wind, speed, or a sense of being launched into the air. Dark rides often employ the use of pneumatics to create a unique sensation of motion or wind (for example, on Epcot’s “Soarin'” ride). Although it may seem like a menial component, this effect can really make an impact when it’s used in culmination with small motions, sound, and other components. Pneumatics, in the form of air actuators, are also used in animatronic figures. The use of a pneumatic system can even make up for a lack of speed and movement in general, making a ride much more realistic and immersive.
And if you don’t love traditional roller coasters but still love a thrill, you can experience pneumatic systems on drop tower rides. Compressed air systems are used to propel the ride carriage upward and then released from tubes in specific increments to “drop” the carriage. Then, compressed air is used to cushion the carriage when it reaches a certain point.
Next time you go to an amusement park, you might look at some of your favorite rides a little differently. You might be even more amazed by the pneumatic systems than by the rides!
If your business relies on pneumatic press machines to keep operations running smoothly, you’ll understand why dealing with unexplained equipment issues is so frustrating. When you can’t perform the 
But while you may think pneumatic press uses are rather mundane, the reality is that we have pneumatics to thank for some of the most exciting attractions we experience. That’s right: they’re frequently used in our favorite roller coasters and thrill rides at amusement parks all across America.