Ken Korane

Modern mobile machinery requires compact and robust hydraulic components. And according to engineers at ARGO-HYTOS, this also applies to hydraulic tanks, as lack of space and cost pressure often lead to a reduction in tank volume. With a simultaneous increase in performance in the form of higher volume flows, the requirements for return filters are […]

FDX Fluid Dynamix, located in Berlin, Germany, has developed the OsciLeak compressed air leak-detection system. It’s based on the company’s proprietary next-generation nozzle technology. Compressed air is commonly used as an energy source, especially in industrial plants. According to FDX officials, it is estimated that 30% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used […]

Atlas Copco has developed what they call the world’s first completely solid desiccant for air dryers. The material, termed Cerades, will be initially used in its CD 20⁺-335⁺ series of dryers. Company officials said the new product will revolutionize compressed air drying. Adsorption dryers have previously used containers filled with thousands of tiny desiccant beads […]

Bosch Rexroth’s new CytroForce, introduced at this week’s Hannover Fair, takes hydraulic linear drives to a whole new level, said company officials. The evolutionary concept manages to squeeze previously bulky structures into a smart compact axis for power, movement and positioning tasks. The out-of-the-box system consisting of flow-optimized standard modules reportedly sets new benchmarks in…

As of June 30, Christian Kienzle will hand over the operational responsibility of the ARGO-HYTOS Group, based in Baar, Switzerland. Mr. Kienzle has led the company as CEO since 1989. As of July 1, he will focus on the organizational and strategic orientation of the Group as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the highest…

Energy efficiency has become a hot topic. There are worldwide initiatives to rein in CO2 emissions and limit climate change. Consumers are becoming critical and demand products that are produced in a sustainable way. Furthermore, many production plants are more aware of the huge cost reductions involved with energy savings. As a result, firms are […]

The SmartValve from KTW Technology, Wehr, Germany, is a new type of flow-control valve that relies on a magnetized ball as the fluid-control element. This ultrafast switching valve is designed for high-speed pulsing of airflow, making it well suited for compressed-air blow-off, cooling, cleaning and drying applications where it reportedly brings higher efficiency and performance. […]

Timmer GmbH, a manufacturer of pneumatic, vacuum and fluid-handling products based in Neuenkirchen, Germany, has revamped and expanded its vacuum-lifting product portfolio and rebranded it as the timLIFT family. According to company officials, the new timLIFT designs are significantly more ergonomic and quieter than previous versions. Three model ranges include: • quickLIFT — for one-hand […]

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers represents more than a thousand companies involved in the construction and ag industries, including many suppliers of fluid power components and systems. These firms contribute over $288 billion a year to the U.S. economy and support 2.8 million high-paying jobs. So it goes without saying that AEM carries a bit […]

In a recent 2021 Fluid Power Technology Conference — Virtual Series presentation, MSOE University’s Tom Wanke took an in-depth look at Pump and Motor Troubleshooting, Failure Modes and Analysis. One problem that drives engineers and maintenance technicians crazy is when a hydraulic pump underperforms or runs erratically, but doesn’t completely fail. Sorting out the root […]

Open and flexible IIoT systems can pinpoint leaks and faults, reduce downtime, increase throughput and, ultimately, improve the bottom line. Contributed by Nils Beckmann, Product Marketing Manager IIoT Integration • Emerson From food and beverage processing to packaged goods and factory automation, manufacturing facilities are turning to smart pneumatics for improved energy efficiency. In compressed air […]

Last year when it became clear that in-person trade shows were not possible, Festo built its own stand for organizing virtual exhibitions and virtual customer meetings. “One of the most valuable exhibits is the Productivity Master, which helps customers deal with the global challenges of today,” said company spokesman Christopher Haug. It will be at […]

In a preview of their offerings at this year’s digital Hannover Fair, scheduled for April 12 to 16, Emerson takes a pragmatic look at today’s IoT landscape and discusses a number of new edge computing and analytics products that help manufacturers turn data into actionable insights. “We are 30 years into the concept of ‘big […]

Volvo Construction Equipment’s ECR25 Electric compact excavator and Volvo L25 Electric compact wheel loader were first unveiled at the Bauma 2019 expo in Munich. Two Norwegian companies, K Baugerød Anlegg and Veidekke, were among the first to take delivery of the new machines, which took place at a socially-distanced handover event to comply with local […]

Komatsu D51i-24 (131 hp) and D61i-24 (168 hp) dozers are now available with Komatsu’s intelligent Machine Control (iMC) technology. According to the company, the iMC 2.0 system can help quickly transform construction job sites into highly efficient, highly productive operations. iMC incorporates a host of advanced machine controls, software and components. For example, 3D design […]

High Pressure Equipment Co. (HiP) of Erie, Pa., a subsidiary of Graco Inc., has introduced new triple pump models for its PT2020 Automated Pressure Testing Controller System for air-driven high pressure hydraulic pumps. Said to be the first of its kind, the triple pump PT2020 controller is designed to provide automated pressure control for a…

In a recent Fluid Power Technology Conference – Virtual Series session, Brandon Richards, CEO of PANOLIN America Inc. presented “Where and when should you use environmentally acceptable fluids?” He provided an overview of EALs, including their biodegradability and low toxicity, as well as benefits in terms of performance, durability and affordability versus mineral-based lubricants. With […]

In our recent story, “Basics of static sealing,” Thomas Braun and Christoph Meissner with the Prädifa Technology Div. of Parker Hannifin’s Engineered Materials Group discussed the fundamentals of O-rings and back-up rings. And while rubber O-rings are probably the most common type of static seal, they indicated there are numerous other options design engineers should […]

An innovative design based on proven hydraulics and sophisticated controls ensured reliable and efficient performance. Prinoth Panther tracked vehicles are used on challenging worksites around the world. The rubber-tracked crawler carriers minimize damage to the underlying terrain thanks to their low ground pressure and superior stability while carrying payloads of up to 23 tons. They’re […]

Static sealing elements are used practically everywhere in daily life, although they typically go unseen. And while sealing technology expertise is limited to a relatively small group of specialists, mechanical and fluid-power engineers must be able to apply the fundamentals to ensure successful designs. In a recent webinar, “Sealing Solutions for Static Applications,“ Thomas Braun […]

All indications are that mobile and industrial systems of the future will be more automated and more digitally connected. And many experts contend future systems will also increasingly be low-carbon and electrified. Some construction equipment OEMs, for example, are committed to autonomous control and cloud-based maintenance systems, and next-generation machines that reduce the environmental impact […]

For more than 85 years, rupture disks have served as an effective passive safety mechanism to protect against overpressure or potentially damaging vacuum conditions. The disk, which is a one-time-use membrane typically made of metal, is designed to activate within milliseconds when it experiences a predetermined differential pressure. They can be used as standalone devices…

Volvo Construction Equipment and Finland’s Norrhydro have developed a digital hydraulic actuator that reportedly boosts productivity while radically cutting fuel bills and CO2 emissions in construction applications. If widely adopted, it could help the mobile-equipment industry meet its sustainability ambitions while at the same time revolutionize machine hydraulic performance. While the full details of the […]

As interest in climate-change mitigation continues to grow around the world, many industry and technology leaders say that the efficiency of manufacturing processes must improve. One target is to replace conventional drives with highly efficient electrically powered systems. For years, manufacturers of energy-saving electromechanical drives have been trying to displace hydraulic drives from applications requiring…

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, bauma China will open this Tuesday in Shanghai. More than 28,000 exhibitors and 130,000 visitors are expected, and a number of U.S. and European-based fluid-power companies will have local representation at the show. Here’s a look at several new offerings for the fast-growing Chinese mobile market. Danfoss Power Solutions will […]