Steps To Troubleshooting Pneumatic Systems
For many, troubleshooting pneumatic systems have been considered as a science or an art.
The word troubleshooting in the minds of production managers, plant managers, and maintenance personnel means hours of lost production and downtime. But when it comes to troubleshooting pneumatic valves or systems, it’s a necessary step by step procedure that corrects the functions of systems to regain the proper operations of devices.
Here are some of the steps of troubleshooting such systems:
Observe Safety. One of the crucial parts of troubleshooting is safety. A maintenance personnel should always regard this, first and foremost, as compressed air is an unstable element in a pneumatic circuit. Many have been injured due to explosions from air receiver tanks. It can cause severe injuries to maintenance personnel and can even damage properties. When troubleshooting, you need to be more cautious as the air is also highly compressible.
Moreover, don’t forget to wear protective gear before inspecting any equipment.
Conduct Inspection. Walking around the machine or a visual inspection can help identify problems such as loose and broken components and worn or burst hoses. This is to make sure that you are familiar with the components in the pneumatic system. It is vital to ask as many pertinent questions as possible if you are not familiar with the components or machine operations.
Before trying to troubleshoot, you need to consider understanding the interrelations of all the components.
Read the Schematics. Read and understand the schematics when trying to repair systems. They contain useful information about the pneumatic system such as pressure test point locations, flow rates within the system, air motor speeds, and other essential functions. They can help in identifying if the system is operating within its parameters.
A schematic is a roadmap that explains not only the operation function of the components but also serves a useful diagnostic tool.
Operating the machine. After familiarising with the operation and system components, you can start operating the machine to get a first-hand view of any issues. Don’t forget to check if any malfunction in the machine occurs again, as visual inspection is vital when operating the machine.
Common issues regarding the machine include excessive air leakage, unidentified pressure levels, loose manual operations, and erratic functioning components.
Troubleshooting pneumatic valves or systems can be difficult if you don’t know the proper procedures. With these steps, you will be able to identify and understand the certain steps that you can apply to any troubleshooting problem.
If you need pneumatic tools, Mastermac2000 can provide these quality products for you. Contact us now!
About MasterMac2000: Your Trusted Pneumatic & Process Automation Partner.
LEADING THE INDUSTRY: Established in 1989, MasterMac2000 has grown to become one of Australia's largest privately owned pneumatic and process automation companies. We stock top-quality brands like Univer, Mack, Tolomatic, Mac, Piab, American, and Rotoflux in Brisbane.
SERVING QLD & NORTHERN NSW: We proudly service Queensland and Northern New South Wales for all your pneumatic and process equipment needs. Our mission is to provide the best pre and post-sales support while actively expanding our client base.
SOURCING HARD-TO-FIND PARTS: Not only do we stock quality components, but we also excel at sourcing those elusive, hard-to-find parts. With our extensive database and global network of contacts, getting the parts you require is as easy as a call to our highly skilled, professional sales team.
DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS:
- Decades of expertise in pneumatics & process automation
- Carefully curated selection of world-class brands
- Exceptional sourcing capabilities for speciality parts
- Knowledgeable sales staff dedicated to finding solutions
- Unwavering commitment to customer service excellence
About The Author
Stuart Havill
Stuart Havill is the owner and manager of MasterMac2000, Queensland's largest privately owned pneumatic and process valve company.
With his early working career as a maintenance fitter for Boral in 1992, Stuart has spent his life in the field of pneumatics and process equipment. He gained extensive experience in plant design, maintenance, repairs, fabrication, and site management.
In 1996, he transitioned to a pneumatic sales technician role at MasterMac2000, where he excelled in key account management, providing cost-effective solutions, and managing a sales team of 9 employees.
Since 2002, Stuart has been the manager at MasterMac2000, overseeing the company's growth and establishing it as a leader in pneumatic automation and process valve engineering. His expertise spans customer training, CRM setup, industrial compressor sizing and installation, and turn-key project management.
Under Stuart's leadership, MasterMac2000 has been servicing the industry since 1988, with 5 full-time sales representatives covering northern rivers NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, and PNG. The company prides itself on providing the best-priced solutions to all customers in the marketplace.
View Stuart’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about his expertise in pneumatics and process equipment.