When does CYPRES need to be maintained?
A CYPRES needs the factory maintenance 4 years and 8 years after the date of production (e.g. the unit is produced 08/93: 1st maintenance is due 08/97, 2nd maintenance is due 08/2001). The total lifetime is 12 years + max. 3 months, so the units do not need a 3rd maintenance.
However, to avoid any inconveniences, there is a leeway of plus/minus three months in which the maintenance will be performed. This means that the maintenance for a CYPRES manufactured in 08/93 can be performed in 05/97 at the earliest and 11/97 at the latest. Should the maintenance date be missed, we are able to perform it at a later date. However, returning a CYPRES for maintenance at a date later than the due date has no advantages. The subsequent maintenance will still be due at a four year interval from date of manufacture. (i.e. if a CYPRES manufactured in 08/93 is not returned for its maintenance until 08/97 - the subsequent maintenance will still be due in 08/2001).
Why is the CYPRES maintenance necessary?
The CYPRES is a very compact and sophisticated electronic device, which - during a 4 year time period - was probably subjected to all possible mechanical and thermal stresses. It is a possibility that the CYPRES had been left in the trunk of a car for days, the rig lay in the sun when packing, a landing was not so good and/or the unit may have been subjected to great temperature differences if jumping in cold areas. In addition, certain components age and need compensation even if the unit is not used or switched on. As with other rig components, CYPRES performs its task on every jump - and not only if an activation occurs. A possible activation is the end of a continuous work process. To ensure that the unit performs this work - even after a long period of time - as precisely as a new unit does, it needs a thorough check periodically. This is why the maintenance is necessary.
How long does the maintenance take?
Airtec needs around 14 working days at the factory for all the maintenance and test procedures to be done. Sometimes (more often at the second four years check) additional work is necessary and this, unfortunately, may extend this time frame. Whenever work has to be performed on a unit, tests are necessary to ensure that the work was successful and that it had no negative influences on other areas. These tests sometimes take days (i.e. temperature tests) and definitely cannot be shortened. Nevertheless, the price always remains the same.
Will the battery be replaced?
Choose Maintenance with battery if its life time is up, or will end in less than 3 months. You get a large discount on a new battery when ordered with the maintenance (only an additional $70, usually $132)
If a new field replaceable cutter is desired, is this included in the maintenance charge?
No, this will be charged in addition to the maintenance cost. We are often asked if we can exchange the old-style cutter to the new field-replaceable type. This is not an update and is not included in the maintenance procedure. An existing old-style cutter cannot be modified to the new field-replaceable type. However, should a customer specifically request that we do exchange the cutter, then we are able to remove the old cutter and install the new one. Should we do this, it is necessary for us to charge the cost of the new cutter to the customer.
New units have been equipped with the field replaceable cutter in the 1-pin version since February 1995 and the 2-pin version since May 1999.
How is the maintenance completion noted on the unit?
For CYPRES 1 a small round silver seal on the left side of the unit
200x
Airtec
Check
signifies successful completion of the maintenance procedure.
In detail, what is performed on the maintenance?
When we receive a unit for its maintenance, its details are first recorded in our data base. All relevant data - such as serial number, current owner, reason for returning, etc. - is entered. With all units, the complete history is stored in this data base.
All cables are visually and electrically inspected for wear or damage. The next step is to open the casing. From here the unit runs through the individual stations. The plastic processing unit case is split apart and the internal metallic electromagnetic shielding unsoldered and removed. If updates (technical improvements) are applicable on the unit, they are automatically performed. Every unit is subjected to extreme heat and cold conditions in climatic chambers.
During this, all functions and power consumptions are tested and measured under all possible conditions. A great number of simulated test flights are performed, where the unit must NOT activate. Also, the unit is subjected to simulated conditions which cause it to activate, thus testing the activation programming and data (electronic cycle, precise duration and magnitude of activation impulse).
The technical data is compared with that from the original production phase. Any deviations or discrepancies are analysed and appropriate action taken
Additionally, the data is compared with data from other units from the same manufacturing period. This is the reason why we request the CYPRES units to be returned for maintenance at the due date -plus or minus the leeway of 3 months.
The cutters are also comprehensively checked - both visually and electronically. The plastic slip which the loop is routed through is checked under the microscope.
Once the unit goes through all tests successfully, it is re-assembled. When this is done, the unit goes through the testing procedure again to ensure that the rebuilding of the unit has had no influence on the unit's function.
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