Hydraulic cylinder It is an essential component of the hydraulic system in busbar processing machines. In routine maintenance, we often disassemble hydraulic cylinders for cleaning or other purposes. If proper installation procedures are not followed during reassembly, the hydraulic system may be damaged. So, how should a hydraulic cylinder be installed correctly?

　　1. The hydraulic cylinder and its surrounding environment shall be kept clean. The oil tank must be sealed to prevent contamination. Piping and the oil tank should be thoroughly cleaned to remove scale and other debris; during cleaning, use lint-free cloths or specialized paper, and do not use hemp thread or adhesives as sealing materials. In accordance with the hydraulic fluid’s design specifications, monitor changes in oil temperature and pressure. When the system is idle, loosen the vent bolt to bleed air.

　　2. Pipe connections must not be loose.

　　3. The base of the hydraulic cylinder must have sufficient rigidity; otherwise, the cylinder barrel will bow upward under pressure, causing the piston rod to bend.

　　4. Before installing the hydraulic cylinder into the system, compare the parameters on the cylinder’s nameplate with those specified in the order.

　　5. For a cylinder with a fixed foot, the central axis should be concentric with the line of action of the load to prevent lateral forces, which can lead to premature wear of the seals and damage to the piston. When installing a hydraulic cylinder that moves an object, ensure that the cylinder remains parallel to the direction of motion of the moving component along the guide rail; the parallelism should generally not exceed 0.05 mm/m.

　　6. Install the sealing gland screws on the hydraulic cylinder, ensuring that the piston moves smoothly through its full stroke without binding or uneven weight. Over-tightening increases friction and accelerates wear, while under-tightening can lead to oil leakage.

　　7. For hydraulic cylinders equipped with air vents or bleed plugs, these components must be installed at the highest point to facilitate air removal.

　　8. The axial ends of the cylinder must not be rigidly fixed; one end should remain free to allow for thermal expansion. Due to hydraulic pressure and thermal expansion within the hydraulic cylinder, axial expansion and contraction occur. If both ends of the cylinder are fixed, all sections of the cylinder will deform.

　　9. The clearance between the guide sleeve and the piston rod shall meet the specified requirements.

　　10. Ensure that the cylinder and the guide rails are parallel and straight; the deviation should be within 0.1 mm over the full length. If the overall datum line of the hydraulic cylinder exceeds the tolerance, scrape the bottom of the cylinder bracket or the machine tool’s contact surface to bring it into compliance. If the lateral datum line is out of tolerance, loosen the hydraulic cylinder and its mounting screws, remove the locating pin, and adjust the lateral datum line to achieve the required accuracy.

　　11. When dismantling the hydraulic cylinder, take care not to damage the threads at the top of the piston rod, the threads at the cylinder port, or the surface of the piston rod. Do not strike the cylinder barrel or the piston surface with a hammer. If the cylinder bore or the piston surface is damaged, do not attempt to sand it down; instead, carefully lap the hydraulic cylinder and its surrounding areas using a fine oilstone. The reservoir must be sealed to prevent contamination. Pipework and the reservoir should be thoroughly cleaned to remove scale, debris, and other foreign matter. Clean with lint‑free cloth or dedicated cleaning paper. Do not use hemp yarn or adhesives as sealing materials. In accordance with the hydraulic fluid’s design specifications, monitor changes in oil temperature and pressure. With the system unloaded, loosen the bleed screw to vent air.

　　When the hydraulic cylinder is not in use, do not leave it outdoors; instead, store it properly. However, most people do not follow standard storage practices. Now, let’s introduce the proper methods for storing hydraulic cylinders.

　　After use, clean the hydraulic cylinder with diesel or kerosene, then apply a lubricant or spray diesel on both its inner and outer surfaces. Finally, wrap it in cloth or oil‑impregnated paper and coat it with rust‑preventive oil.

　　Then, place the cylinder in a wooden crate and store it in a dry environment free of corrosive substances. This storage method helps extend the service life of the hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder should be stored vertically to prevent bending or deformation of the cylinder body.