ALIGNMENT
MISALIGNMENT CAN BIND AND DAMAGE THE THRUST TUBE
AND POWER SCREW, AND CAUSE THE ELECTRIC CYLINDER
TO STALL AND EVEN JAM UNDER LOAD. WHEN MOTOR
POWER IS MAINTAINED IN THE STALLED CONDITION, DAMAGE
CAN OCCUR TO BOTH THE ELECTRIC CYLINDER AND MOTOR.
1. CAUTION! If at any point in the installation and alignment
procedure, any sight or sound of misalignment or binding
occurs, immediately cease any attempts at movement and
correct the source of the misalignment or binding.
2. Prior to installation, check the mounting arrangement and
attachment arrangement to ensure the electric cylinder path
of travel will be unobstructed. The mounting surface or
surfaces MUST provide a flat, aligned foundation plane to
prevent any binding or cocking of the entire mounting
arrangement. Also check to ensure the planned attachment
line of travel is square and perpendicular to the mounted axial
center line ( Illustration A ) of the electric cylinder.
Illustration A
3. Locate the mounting arrangement and install mounting bolts
or fasteners without tightening completely.
4. Extend the electric cylinder sufficiently to allow the
connection of the attachment arrangement and complete the
connection.
5. Completely tighten mounting bolts or fasteners.
6. Fully retract the now completely mounted and connected
electric cylinder. Make certain there are no signs of evident
misalignment or binding.
7. From the completely retracted position, extend the electric
cylinder to the fully extended position.
8. At all points of travel, especially at the fully retracted and fully
extended positions, there MUST be NO CONTACT OR
INTERFERENCE between any part of the electric cylinder or
any unintended attachment portion of its attachment
mechanism with ANY OTHER PART OR SURFACE. Carefully
check the base or throat of any clevis or attachment
component ( Illustration B ) to ensure there is clearance at all
points of travel.
Clearance ( No Binding )
Binding
Illustration B
9.
Fully and completely support the load in the fully extended
position to prevent any shifting or movement of any kind.
10. Disconnect the attachment arrangement checking for any
undue binding or misalignment that may indicate a nonaligned path. The attachment arrangement should
disconnect without excess effort if the load is supported
properly and there is no alignment problem.
11. Fully retract and extend the electric cylinder to the
supported load attachment. The attachment arrangement
should re-align with no interference if the cylinder path and
load path are aligned properly. Re-connect the attachment
arrangement.
12. Fully retract the now completely mounted and connected
electric cylinder. Make certain there are no signs of evident
misalignment or binding.
13. From the completely retracted position, extend the electric
cylinder to approximately one-half the fully extended
position.
14. Fully and completely support the load at one-half the fully
extended position to prevent any shifting or movement of
any kind.
15. Disconnect the attachment arrangement checking for any
undue binding or misalignment that may indicate a nonaligned path. The attachment arrangement should
disconnect without excess effort if the load is supported
properly and there is no alignment problem.
16. Fully retract and extend the electric cylinder to the
supported load attachment. The attachment arrangement
should re-align with no interference if the cylinder path and
load path are aligned properly. Re-connect the attachment
arrangement.
17. If necessary, repeat Steps 7 through 14 until the entire
procedure can be completed without binding or
misalignment.
18. Alignment is achieved and confirmed once the cycle of
a) extend, b) support and disconnect, c) retract, d) re-extend,
and e) reconnect, can be accomplished at both the fully
extended and half extended positions with no further need
for adjustment and with no sign of binding or misalignment
at either position.
19. In the event misalignment cannot be totally eliminated, or if
some angularity between the line of travel and the attachment
arrangement persists, consideration should be given to
replacing the attachment arrangement with some form of
spherical bearing attachment arrangement, such as a
standard RACO rod end.