At Jeff Morris Limited, we take great pride in the quality of our products that we supply, all of which are built to last. Nonetheless, wear and tear unfortunately is inevitable on site, and Pneumatic Rack and Pinion Actuators used in industrial applications or in heavy machinery, for instance, often face extremely demanding working conditions. They are constantly moving, often fast and under tremendous force. So should I repair or replace?
Problems can vary according to the usage and application the Actuator is fitted, but there are some common signs you may see that indicate the need for air cylinder repair:
- Failure to move. Lack of movement is a clear sign that something is wrong. Monitoring actuating pressure can help avoid system breakdown.
- Actuating too slowly.
- Requiring higher than normal pressure to actuate. Could the Seals be worn and now there’s an air leak?
- Visual corrosion or excessive wear.
- Hissing noises. Clear indication of an air leak and that the seals may be worn
- Noise upon opening and closing. Pneumatic Actuators are known for their smooth, almost silent movement. If you notice a change, it’s time to look at it and either repair or replace.
These issues can be caused by:
- Incorrect air supply — either too much air or low air pressure due to leakage
- Contamination (dirt or moisture from within the airline coming from the compressor)
- Worn, cracked, or torn seals
- Broken Parts due to misuse
Sometimes, There’s a Relatively Easy Fix
In all cases, you will have to disassemble and reassemble the rack and pinion actuator, repairing or replacing components can often keep downtime to a minimum and prolong the life of the actuator. That gives you the best return on your investment. For this reason, Jeff Morris Limited offers repair kits for all rack and pinion pneumatic actuators we supply, all from stock and available on a next day delivery to anywhere in the UK Mainland. We recommend you stock a kit for each type of actuators you’re using, so you can make repairs as quickly as possible and keep downtime to an absolute minimum.
But we all know the best offense is a good defence. So, setting up a regular maintenance schedule along with regular visual inspections is best practice to avoid those unwanted breakdowns. Clean equipment performs best and lasts longest. Detecting and fixing small problems before they cause productivity problems or outright failures saves money and prevents costly downtime.
Always make sure the power & supply is off and any leftover air has been released before beginning your pneumatic actuator repair. This is a critical safety issue. Full maintenance documentation is available from ourselves for all rack and pinion pneumatic actuators repairs and this will guide you through the steps required to get the actuator repaired and back working in no time (along with ourselves offering repairs should you wish for ourselves to carry the repair work out). You should replace seals or make other repairs as soon as you detect damage.
Sometimes, It’s Better to Invest in a New Actuator
If you find extensive damage to your pneumatic rack and pinion actuator, it’s probably time to replace the unit instead of trying to repair it. However, if you’re having repeat problems, you may be using the wrong pneumatic actuator or there may be additional issues, our team has over 40 years’ experience therefore before you replace your failing actuator with the same product you’ve bought for many years, talk to us we know Pneumatic Actuators and are confident that our Actuators WILL solve your issues, even if that means a bespoke designed actuator package that in turn will give you the best performance. We can help you troubleshoot, to determine the best, most cost-effective long-term fix.
