If all cylinders but one are moving in a system where multiple cylinders are hooked to the same manifold, what is the most likely cause?

In a pneumatic system where multiple cylinders are connected to the same manifold and all but one cylinder is moving, the most likely cause of this issue is a stuck directional control valve (DCV) spool.

The directional control valve is responsible for directing compressed air to the appropriate cylinder to enable its motion. If the spool within the valve is stuck in a position that does not allow air to flow to the specific cylinder, that particular cylinder will remain stationary while others continue to function normally. This situation can arise due to several reasons, such as dirt or debris interfering with the valve's movement, wear and tear causing the spool to stick, or a malfunction in the valve's actuator.

In contrast, a failed pneumatic supply would typically affect all cylinders, not just one, as they all rely on the same compressed air source. A faulty cylinder may also prevent movement, but that would apply to the cylinder itself as opposed to the control mechanism directing air to it. Insufficient air pressure might lead to all cylinders underperforming, but it would not typically result in the isolated issue of only one cylinder not moving while the others are operational. Hence, the interaction between the DCV and the individual cylinder is crucial to understanding why a stuck DCV spool represents the most