The triennial IFPE trade show and conference begins next week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Slated for March 7-11, this event features nearly 500 fluid power exhibitors and gives attendees a chance to see the latest in hydraulic pump offerings. Here you can learn how they are constructed and used on mobile machinery. Below, you will […]
How can you keep your mobile machine running efficiently? Part 2
Using a scientific approach to mobile machine maintenance helps technicians have a better handle on the fundamentals of hydraulic components. By Carl Dyke, CD Industrial Group Inc. Last November, we delved into system-specific maintenance tips to ensure the hydraulics on your mobile machine runs at its highest performing levels. We continue this discussion with a look at more […]
Fluid power drives mega dozer
The PR 776 is the world’s largest hydrostatic crawler tractor. Crawler dozers are designed for tough mining, quarry, and construction operations. And like other equipment at these sites, the machines continue to get bigger as producers demand ever-increasing productivity at lower costs. As such, Liebherr, with U.S. headquarters in Newport News, Va., recently unveiled the PR […]
Where should you locate hydraulic filters in your system?
Is there an ideal location for placement of hydraulic filters in an operating system, and if so what is the correct type of filter to use? Is one filter sufficient, or should multiple filters be used? Can different types of filtration be combined? Matt Brown, Product Manager Filter Systems for Schroeder Industries explains that in […]
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Hydraulic wave-energy system operates underwater for over a year
Ocean-energy electric generators like wave- and tidal-power systems hold lots of potential for the future of renewable, carbon-free energy. Among the advantages, waves have a much greater energy density than does wind. Power plants can be relatively small and located near coastal cities, limiting transmission distances. And wave energy is much more predictable than wind…
Doering valves increase safety of industrial machinery
Forum Energy Technologies wanted to incorporate an emergency stop at the front of the tool where the operators work to make the shutdown feature easier to access. Safety is critical in any application where workers interact with machinery and companies need to make these environments as safe as possible. Houston-based Forum Energy Technologies sought to […]
How do you protect hydraulic hose?
Hydraulic hose assemblies rarely operate in controlled, protected environments. Rather, rough and demanding conditions are the norm. Thus, hose is often exposed to flying debris in mobile equipment and the likes of weld spatter and hot metal chips—or even the errant lift truck—in industrial settings. Add to that, hoses subjected to continuous movement and machine […]
Compressed Air Fail: Poor control coordination
A manufacturer of automotive products had a two compressor system that was designed for 100% redundancy—however, this system had never been fully implemented. Two air dryers, two large receivers, and two sets of filters were installed, but only two of the planned four compressors had been purchased. An auditor did a plant walk through and […]
Top global innovators to speak at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 Tech Talks
CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest international gathering in the Western Hemisphere for the construction industries and co-located with IFPE, is offering an exciting line-up of featured speakers for its Tech Talks forum. Speakers will focus primarily on the growing opportunity for applied and blue sky innovation to benefit infrastructure projects and construction jobsites. “We are so proud to […]
Smart pneumatics relies on sensor-driven data to eliminate wires, predict system status
Taking the guesswork out of condition monitoring, operation and maintenance tasks can be done with Aventics Smart Pneumatics Monitor, which offers data acquisition and control of critical components within a pneumatics system. Using a valve bank that communicates via an I/O Link with sensors on the cylinder, pressure sensors, pressure regulators and other sensors, users […]
The creative power of big data
Big Data, for all of it’s being touted across the manufacturing industry, remains somewhat of an esoteric topic. That’s understandable, as the concept of every bearing and every cylinder and every machine part having sensors seems far off or downright bizarre to some design engineers. Sure, sensors are becoming small and cheap and ubiquitous, but […]
Clean systems start with hydraulic fluid storage and transfer
IsoLink Oil Transfer Containers from Des-Case play a critical part in keeping hydraulic fluids contaminant free and dry during small volume transfers from oil barrels to the system. Available in three sizes — 4, 7 and 10 liters, they feature a square design that provides 27% more storage capacity than round containers. These containers are used to transfer […]
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What is nonconductive hose?
Engineers and technicians specifying hoses for hydraulic circuits routinely consider factors like pressure ratings and flow capacity. But in some instances, electrical shock is a potential risk to equipment and operators, and that demands hydraulic hoses that ensure safety when machines operate near high-voltage sources like power lines. Thus, nonconductive hydraulic hoses are recommended for […]
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Brass fittings from Anderson Metals are suitable for a variety of harsh environments
Although not one of the most common fittings used in fluid power applications, brass fittings are extremely useful in corrosive environments for both hydraulic and pneumatic hose and tubing applications. Anderson Metals offers a variety of fittings, including 45° flare fittings, pipe fittings, and push-on hose barbs for a wide range of temperatures. The SAE 45° flare […]
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NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge moves to the final competition
About a decade ago, Parker Hannifin launched its Chainless Challenge, which tasked college engineering students with creating a chainless bicycle that was powered by hydraulics or pneumatics. In the past year, The NFPA took over the event, dubbed it the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge and honed its program to make it a workforce development […]
Hydraulic filters at IFPE 2017
A reliable and efficient hydraulic system starts with the fluid. Keeping hydraulic oil conditioned and free of contaminants, air, water and heat is critical to ensuring that all system components run as they are meant to. To ensure this dependability, proper fluid filtration is required and should be taken with great care. Contamination often enters […]
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What is rubber hydraulic hose?
Rubber hydraulic hose is a common and important element in countless industrial and mobile machines. It serves as the plumbing that routes hydraulic fluid between tanks, pumps, valves, cylinders and other fluid-power components. Plus, hose is generally straightforward to route and install, and it absorbs vibration and dampens noise. Hose assemblies—hose with couplings attached to […]
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Remote service with augmented reality decreases maintenance downtime
A unique virtual reality tool from Bosch Rexroth provides hydraulics maintenance and service professionals with immediate advice from product and application experts. The company’s Hägglunds Insight Live service uses augmented reality to give customers access to a Bosch Rexroth service expert easily, without waiting, travel or high costs. Using either a smart phone or a […]
High-performance controllers for real-time hydraulic control
The IQAN-MC4x family of master controllers from the Electronic Controls Div. of Parker Hannifin is designed for hydraulic systems in vehicles and machinery using a 12/24 Vdc power supply. Three different versions handle a wide range of system requirements. The IQAN-MC41 is for economical task-oriented control; the MC42 for mid-size applications and I/O distribution; and […]
The 6 best cavitation videos
Cavitation is one of the most damaging things that can happen in your fluid power system. It’s a great way to shorten the life of your components, thanks to the relentless pitting it can exact on metal parts. While there are countless videos online that discuss cavitation, these six are our favorites … [Click links […]
Pressure transducers at IFPE 2017
Every three years, the fluid power world comes together at IFPE. This year’s event will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 7-11, and it will offer designers the opportunity to see what’s new with pressure transducer technology. Here you can learn how they are constructed and used on mobile machinery. Below, you […]
Top 5 things fluid power needs
The world of fluid power is awesome, but it’s not perfect. There are some things I would wish for, but may or may not become reality. Still, a boy can dream, can’t he? And since I’m dreaming, I may as well dream big. Here is my list of Top 5 things fluid power needs: 5. […]
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CCEFP and the power of working together
In case you hadn’t noticed the story this week, the DoD announced a new Advanced Robotics Manufacturing center in Pittsburgh. It’s great news, for sure, but you may not be aware of the interesting role that fluid power played here. According to Kim Stelson, Director of the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), the grant will […]
Leadership in Engineering: Dr. Dava Newman leads engineers toward teamwork
NASA’s Deputy Administrator Dava Newman has a vision for the future of humankind on Mars and on earth. She advocates for an inclusive approach to garner top talent for math, science, art and design fields encompassed in STEAMD programs—and thinks that understanding engineering as an integrated field for problem solving will ultimately serve the industry […]
Is chemical analysis all I need to maintain my hydraulic fluid?
Often, users of hydraulic fluid will confuse a chemical analysis with a complete fluid analysis, which provides particle count of contaminants, amounts of water, and more. Oil samples that are sent off to a lab without specific instructions will return with valuable data but not all the data points you require. In most cases, the […]
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