TSB
screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: ericheartsu on January 07, 2013, 07:42:23 PM
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we picked up a used gauntlet, and just got it set up and running, but there are a ton of air leaks. Is there an easy way to find air leaks? or should i just bite the bullet and re-hose the entire press?
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Feel around the lines and fittings for air movement. Small leaks can be found by spraying a soapy solution or windex, simple green, etc on the fittings, bubbles will appear at the leaks. Sometimes the end of the tubing where it enters the fitting will be deformed causing a leak and you can cut an inch off, reconnect and it will be fine. If the fitting is bad just replace with a new one.
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How about the same liquid plumbers use to ID gas leaks in gas lines or simply take some soapy water suds it up and place the suds on the suspect area, if there is an air leak you will see it in the disturbance in the suds or giant bubblels.
By the way air leaks are a huge waste of horsepower therefore operating costs.
mooseman
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my only concern is how to identify holes in the airlines, that are inside the head?
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You can disconnect each one at the center of the press and do a leak down or vac test.
Leak down you would make a rig out of fittings. Using a pipe tee, ball valve at one side, pressure gauge on the second and connect the air line you are testing to the third. Apply air pressure through the ball valve until you reach the desired pressure, shut off valve and watch the gauge. If it starts to drop that line or what ever is on the other end of the line is leaking.
Vac test you hook a hand operated vac pump to the end of the line, draw maybe 15" of vac and watch the gauge to see if it drops. Same as above if it drops the there is a leak in the line or what ever is at the other end.
If the cylinder is leaking at the end of the line you may have to plug the line to get a good test.