Easy way to fix binding? 4

[MechvsManu]

I have a welded frame with 4 Festo air slides to lift a product. It's worked fine for months but now seems to bind and jamb more and more. I've had maintenance do all the usual suspects - oiling, check air line, etc.
I'm assuming because it's a weldment that the cylinders are just fighting each other due to misalignment so my solution is to replace the bolts with shoulder bolts that will give the cylinders a chance to move a little and hopefully solve any binding issues.

Is there something basic I'm missing?

 

[MechvsManu]

Thanks for the input.

1. It's an odd situation in a separate small plant with a handful of people working there. The workers say it sticks and they have to help it up. They say it's a pain but they'll keep doing it and are decent about the whole thing. The maintenance guy just thinks they need to be replaced but I went there today and oiled them (auto-oiler wasn't functioning I guess) and they move much better now.

2. I haven't reached out to Festo but that's a good plan, I'll do that Monday.

3. I agree with that, I'll look into that next week.

 

[MechvsManu]

Valid points.
The frame is 7ft square. It lifts about 8" high. The valves are setup such that if the air is disconnected they stay up.

Adter a cleaning and oiling it seems to be functioning again, I'd just like it to be more robust. Maintenance has been given a new procedure.

We have a safety department and they're fine with the function after many tests.
If you pull the air line directly out of the cylinder (all 4) due to the exit flow control it doesn't even drop.
If all 8 lines (4 inlet and 4 exhaust) simultaneously ripped the container would fall 3" due to a tether, nobody working there would be close to getting hit.

 

[Heaviside1925]

OP,
Instead of going back and forth about the merits of rigid mounting, see below from Festo. For the way you are mounting the actuator you need a flat rigid surface, which you do not have. If you know of an alignment issue, then fixing that would be a good idea but I wouldn't make things worse by making the actuator looser in hopes of self-alignment.

 

[dvd]

Are these units supposed to be oiled? What type of linear slide bearing is employed - roller/plain bearing? Your problem may be maintenance related. What is the actual Festo model/part no.? Are you following recommended maintenance/operating instructions? It would seem appropriate to get a Festo rep involved.

 

[mfgenggear]

OP
It is lifted all at once., the issue with the fixture its not robust enough.
Strengthen, and make more robust.
There is a safety issue.

 

[MechvsManu]

This is a great point. I'll work on fixing this issue first and get it going for now. Then work on a redesign while they get by with what they have for now.

Thanks for the input.

 

[MechvsManu]

Yes, lifted all at once is the goal. It's working now and lifts evenly after we did some basic maintenance.

 

[mfgenggear]

Op
This will not resolve the inherent issues of this design. It's a temporary fix.
The old automobile hoist hat one large ram lifting an automobile, yet the mechanic had access under
The vehicle.

The new lifts, lift at 4 points, and is safe.
Research that design. They sell them rather
Affordable. Maybe it could be modified.
Don't reinvent the wheel and learn from others.

 

[mfgenggear]

Op
Similar to this link

https://magnamtuning.com/product/l2...r-auto-truck-hoist-220v-or-110v/?gad_source=1

 

[MechvsManu]

Yes, as I said it'll keep the line moving while we redesign the mechanism.
Right now I'm thinking of a similar design with pins to keep it in the up position incase all 8 airline get severed at the same time. We'll also add rack and pinion to ensure they all lift evenly.

We use those mechanics lifts at other parts of the factory for much bigger lifts. They're great but far too large for the room we're in and quite slow for the speed the line moves through this area. They're also rated for 10,000lbs and we only have to lift 400ish max.

 

[mfgenggear]

Op
Yes redesign a smaller one. With less capacity.
But the same basic design.
B good luck