Automated Testing of Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders

The end use of high-pressure, telescopic, hydraulic cylinders for hoists requires that they undergo integrity testing, an exacting and laborious process. By integrating the mechanical structure and hydraulic power of the test stand with personal computer control and data acquisition, cylinder test data can be directly archived for permanent storage. Automated testing in the cylinder production process has proven to result in greater test repeatability, secure data archival, and reduced test time. The features and benefits of an integrated test stand are discussed, with general information on testing, mechanical design, and computer logic included for insight.