Not too many years ago, one could still find a small number of IoT skeptics amongst fluid power professionals. Today, however, it’s become difficult for those last few IoT holdouts to substantiate their apprehension. There are the companies that have embraced IoT potential, and made it a core innovation initiative, and there are those that…
Electrohydraulic drives interface with the IoT, Industry 4.0
Electrohydraulic drives are still largely connected via analog interfaces and centralized closed control loops, but strides are being made to develop future-looking technologies that integrate easily into IoT and Industry 4.0 requirements. Contributed by: Benno Birke, Senior Vice President – Technical, Industrial Hydraulics and Albert Köckemann, Development Manager, Industrial Electronics, Bosch Rexroth, Lohr am Main, Germany…
Filter change proves how costly dirt can be to your hydraulic pump
A pump is the heart of a hydraulic system. When the pump fails, the entire system is down until the pump is operational again. This poses a serious threat to any operation relying on hydraulic systems for productivity. Recently, a hydraulic valve manufacturer was losing 25 pumps a year on their centralized hydraulic system at […]
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A cause for optimism in fluid power?
It’s been the heart of trade show season the last few months, with the triennial IFPE and the annual Hannover Messe and Offshore Technology Conference keeping the fluid power manufacturing community—not to mention us in the media—quite busy. It is always great to get out and see the new technology firsthand, to put your hands […]
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Hydraulic hybrid slashes operating costs
Hydraulic hybrid energy-recovery system in a port material handler raises efficiency by 30%. Mobile material handlers are designed for demanding operations at ports, harbors and marine terminals, as they’re capable of unloading bulk materials like coal or stone or general cargo packaged in sacks or crates. They’re also suited for work in mines, scrapyards and…
How can you keep your mobile machine running efficiently? Part 1
Learning how to properly maintain your hydraulic system with precision will help support a high-performance, well-functioning machine. By Carl Dyke, Contributing Editor Half of the battle in hydraulic system troubleshooting is knowing exactly what ‘normal’ is. It’s hard to diagnose a component or a section of a system without knowing normal parameters, such as: Speeds Pressure Valve […]
Seven reasons why fluid power will fare well
Pundits have been predicting the demise of fluid power for decades, and yet the industry still prospers. Here are seven reasons fluid-power systems will be even better 10 years from now. Digital decade. Top on the list has to be the marrying of hydraulics and pneumatics with digital electronics—as one expert terms it, the electronification of…
Is hydraulic efficiency a myth?
Although many detractors sneer at the idea of hydraulic efficiency, right-sizing components, proper system design and modern technology can go a long way to achieving system efficiency. “Hydraulic efficiency” is a term alluding similar sentiments to “exact estimate” or “scientific belief.” It’s not that hydraulic efficiency is an oxymoron, per se, but these aren’t traditionally two words…
Engineering education: The science vs technology split
Although it’s been more than two decades since I received my engineering degree, it took me this long to fully understand engineering education. My breakthrough came last month when Dan Burklo, Dean of Math, Science, and Engineering Technologies, Northwest State Community College, spoke at a manufacturing workforce conference in Columbus, Ohio, that I attended. Burklo […]
Careful monitoring ensures reliability in high-speed industrial hydraulics
Understanding the complex components and systems that make up high-speed industrial hydraulics is critical to well-maintained, efficient machines. By Carl Dyke, Contributing Editor Control surfaces on the wings of aircraft have to move into position very quickly. Aerobatic or military aircraft pilots may choose to maneuver through the three axes of roll, pitch and yaw simultaneously.…
Death spiral for mining hydraulics?
The once-every-four-years MINExpo show takes place this month and, if you’re a pessimist, the timing couldn’t be worse. The boom-bust cycle in commodities has decimated sales of mining…
Mega trends and fluid power
Most of us focus on our latest project or deadline with a “nose-to-the-grindstone” mentality. It’s also worthwhile to occasionally step back and look at the big picture, says Tom Price, president of Price Engineering. In his keynote presentation at Fluid Power World’s recent Technology Conference in Milwaukee, he pondered some mega trends affecting society, and…
Using your senses to better understand your system
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Sensors used in fluid power are available to measure anything from pressure, flow, temperature, position and more. Understanding their differences will help you…
How does water glycol fluid affect hydraulic seals?
Comprehensive testing of water glycol fluids on common seal materials reveals temperature-related issues. By: James Simpson and Eric Bucci – Trelleborg Sealing Solutions The polyglycol is a water-soluble polymer thickener that can be formulated to cover a wide range of viscosities. The resulting viscosity-temperature properties give water glycols good low-temperature cold-start pump wear protection and…
How are hydraulic components rebuilt, repaired or remanufactured?
WHEN fluid-power components like pumps, motors, valves and cylinders fail, the overriding goal is to get a system up and running again as soon as possible. One option is simply to purchase and install a new replacement part, but a repaired or remanufactured component is often the more economical option. Depending on the unit, almost…
Fluid power fights back: a review of green technology
In many ways, green fluid power technology is just starting to hit its stride. Twenty years ago, a green, efficiency-minded design was little more than a feather in the cap of a fluid power system. If the fluid power industry wasn’t actively fueling its dirty technology reputation, it wasn’t working too hard to fix it…
The hydraulics of injection molders
Carl Dyke • Contributing Editor Precise metering and responsive force control are the name of the game in this specialized fluid power application. Plastics injection molding machines feature a hydraulic system that must provide reliable performance through many years of continuous, around-the-clock production cycling. There are a number of motion control sub-circuits for closing the…
When is the last time you sat in on a hydraulic safety awareness class?
By J. Eric Freimuth, Hydraulic Training Associates Most fluid power literature is written for product information only, despite the fact that the sale of fluid power components in the world market is in the billions. Hydraulics has little recognition for being an occupational hazard. Hydraulics is not recognized as a licensed trade nor listed as an…
Electrohydraulic controls improve ship stability
Richard Meyerhoefer • Regional Applications Specialist • Delta Computer Systems Even the roughest seas are no match for the power density, speed and accuracy of hydraulics. For more than a century, large ships have used stabilizing fins to smooth out their ride through rolling seas. The force that fins produce is related to the angle…
The basics of hydraulic circuitry
David Marlowe • Owner/CEO • DMAR Technical Training and DMAR Business Centers USA To date, we have discussed everything up to the discharge side of the hydraulic pump. In the last article we discussed the importance of a thoroughly thought-out, planned and executed proactive maintenance program and the benefits of maintaining the system instead of…
Offshore hydraulics is key to electricity from the sea
Innovative offshore hydraulics improves the efficiency and economics of wave-energy converters. As the world slowly embraces renewable energy, most efforts today focus on solar and wind. But tapping the power of the oceans could be the next forefront of “green” energy. For one reason, the payoff could be huge. According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, harnessing…
Hydraulic fixed-displacement pumps: Review
By David Marlowe • Owner/CEO • DMAR Technical Training and DMAR Business Centers USA In my continuing series on a mechanic’s guide to a hydraulic system, we have already discussed the importance of the fluid’s viscosity, cleanliness, flow rate, cooling and reservoir level to ensure a positive head pressure (NPSHA) to the suction side of…
Follow these 5 simple tasks for efficient hydraulic fluid management
Just having a hydraulic fluid management plan in place doesn’t mean that you are doing it correctly. Managing your lubrication properly is critical in maintaining clean, efficient hydraulic systems, said Jason Kopschinsky, CMRP, director of reliability services for Des-Case. “Not approaching lubrication in a holistic manner, including lubricant specifications, education, contamination control, preventive maintenance optimization,…
Hydraulic efficiency grows with variable speed drives
Combining hydraulic pumps with variable speed drives increases efficiency while reducing noise and environmental impacts. With any fluid power system, efficiency is always top of the mind, so components and advanced technology that can improve energy consumption are increasingly necessary. To that end, the NFPA last year commissioned a survey to examine the current and potential…
CCEFP opens funding to new universities
As it aims to continue its growth, The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP) is currently reviewing funding proposals for 10 new research projects for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. The CCEFP is opening funding for the first time ever to universities outside the original seven research universities that…