Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly

Pneumatic Systems Maintenance Training

SAQA US 253361 | NQF 4 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to maintain pneumatic systems effectively. It covers systematic inspection, fault diagnosis, and repair procedures to ensure optimal performance and safety. Learners will gain practical competence in interpreting system schematics and applying maintenance schedules.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply safe working practices and identify hazards associated with pneumatic systems.
  • Interpret pneumatic circuit diagrams and component specifications.
  • Demonstrate systematic fault-finding techniques on pneumatic systems.
  • Perform routine maintenance tasks including component inspection and replacement.
  • Implement appropriate repair procedures to restore system functionality.
  • Analyze system performance data to recommend preventive maintenance actions.

Target Audience

This course is designed for maintenance technicians, millwrights, and engineers responsible for the upkeep of pneumatic systems in industrial settings. It is also suitable for apprentices and tradespeople seeking formal recognition of their skills.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Pneumatic Systems

Objectives:
• Understand the principles of pneumatic systems
• Identify components and their functions
• Interpret pneumatic symbols and schematics
• Apply safety procedures in pneumatic work

Topics:
• Overview of pneumatics vs hydraulics
• Basic physics: pressure, flow, force
• Major components: compressors, cylinders, valves, actuators
• Reading pneumatic circuit diagrams
• Safety precautions and lockout/tagout

Day 2: Pneumatic System Components and Operation

Objectives:
• Describe operation of compressors and air treatment
• Explain function of directional control valves
• Understand cylinder types and applications
• Troubleshoot common component failures

Topics:
• Air compressors: types, filters, regulators, lubricators
• Directional control valves: 2/2, 3/2, 5/2, 5/3
• Cylinders: single-acting, double-acting, rodless
• Flow control and speed regulation
• Component failure modes and diagnostics

Day 3: Pneumatic Circuit Design and Analysis

Objectives:
• Design basic pneumatic circuits
• Analyze circuits using cascade method
• Implement safety circuits
• Calculate force, speed, and air consumption

Topics:
• Circuit design principles
• Cascade method for sequential control
• Safety circuits: two-hand control, emergency stop
• Force and speed calculations
• Air consumption and sizing

Day 4: Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Objectives:
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks
• Diagnose faults using systematic approach
• Repair or replace faulty components
• Document maintenance activities

Topics:
• Preventive maintenance schedules
• Common faults: leaks, contamination, wear
• Diagnostic tools: pressure gauges, flow meters
• Step-by-step troubleshooting guide
• Repair techniques: seal replacement, valve rebuild
• Maintenance documentation

Day 5: Advanced Applications and Integration

Objectives:
• Integrate pneumatics with PLC controls
• Optimize system performance
• Apply energy efficiency measures
• Prepare for SAQA assessment

Topics:
• Electro-pneumatic interfaces
• PLC programming for pneumatic control
• System optimization: pressure reduction, leak detection
• Energy efficiency and cost savings
• Review for unit standard assessment

Practicals

16 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Hands-on practicals are essential for learners to apply theoretical knowledge to real pneumatic systems. Learners will assemble circuits, perform maintenance tasks, and troubleshoot faults under supervision, ensuring competency in safe and effective pneumatic system maintenance.

Practical Activities
  • Practical 1: Component Identification and Circuit Assembly — Learners identify pneumatic components and assemble basic circuits on training panels using schematic diagrams. (4h)
  • Practical 2: Preventive Maintenance and Component Replacement — Learners perform preventive maintenance tasks including filter replacement, lubrication, and seal replacement on cylinders and valves. (4h)
  • Practical 3: Troubleshooting and Fault Finding — Learners diagnose and rectify common faults such as leaks, stuck valves, and pressure drops using systematic troubleshooting. (4h)
  • Practical 4: Electro-Pneumatic Integration — Learners connect pneumatic circuits to PLC outputs and program basic sequences using ladder logic. (4h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Fri 23 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,863 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $3,834 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,592 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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