Paul Heney

VMAC has announced the release of its G30+GEN gas powered rotary screw air compressor/generator, which combines two convenient forms of power into a single, innovative system. VMAC’s G30+GEN provides 25 CFM of compressed air at 100 psi and is designed to maintain max CFM 100% of the time. Operators can quickly switch from compressor mode […]

The triennial fluid power megashow returns to Las Vegas from March 14-18. The fluid power industry’s biggest event returns to the Las Vegas Convention center this March, with 375 component manufactures expected on the show floor. Exhibitors will include those focused on electrical & mechanical power transmission, industrial hydraulics, mobile hydraulics, pneumatics, and water hydraulics.…

Compressed air and vacuum technology is continuously being digitalized, but is digitalization really a panacea when it comes to sustainability and energy efficiency? The international CEO Panel on Compressed Air and Vacuum Technology at Hannover Fair will provide the answer to this question. On April 20, CEOs from global leaders in the industry will discuss […]

In fruit picking, flexibility is key. A suction cup able to handle items with difficult surface and various shapes is needed for reliable processes. Piab’s new detectable fruit suction cup FCX50 is all this: Flexible bellows for off-axis grips and adaptation as well as multi-lip design for the surface ensuring good sealing. With its innovative […]

Years ago, in the North American compressed air market, it was a free-for-all when it came to compressor ratings. Some questionable efficiency numbers were published, leading customers to believe that they were making good choices in purchasing the most energy efficient compressors. However, as time went on, it was gradually discovered that some published numbers […]

Piab’s new ECX36 egg suction cup, with its stable design and multistage actuation, provides easy control over the product release. It impressively reduces the risk of damaging eggs in the process, thus enabling high speed applications in egg handling. Thanks to the low vacuum required in the operation, energy is saved — a growing necessity […]

Hydra Service, manufacturer of Dynapower pumps, motors, and turbine starters, announced that the company has been purchased by a local manufacturing investment group, led by business professional Mick Webber. The team has manufactured thousands of units in its 40 years of service, many remaining in service for decades. Now, the new ownership and existing management…

After receiving approval from the antitrust authorities, Bosch Rexroth has completed the acquisition of hydraulic specialist HydraForce on February 3. The acquisition of the Lincolnshire, Ill.-based company was announced in July 2022. It strengthens Bosch Rexroth’s footprint in North America and expands its distribution network to provide customers with a wide range of compact hydraulics…

Hallite has promoted Flavia Richards to global marketing director, to support the company’s robust business and technical strategy. Richards, previously the company’s global marketing manager, brings several achievements within the company and more than a decade of international marketing experience to her expanded responsibility for global marketing strategy and implementation. Before joining Hallite, Richards was […]

A building products company had constantly overheating bearings on some large fans induced draft in their process and decided to use compressed air to provide some extra cooling. On one fan bearing they installed a spare air wand and tied it in position with wires, so the nozzle pointed directly at the hot bearing, this […]

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announced that Patty Andersen from Delkor Systems is the 2023 Chairperson of the Board — the first time a woman has held the position at the association. As co-owner and VP of human resources and after market services at Delkor Systems, Andersen plays a pivotal role in […]

A farm implement manufacturer had a system of three large 150-hp compressors that were air-cooled lubricant-injected screw compressors. To control these compressors — two of which were needed for peak duty on any given day — the compressors were set up in a cascaded pressure band arrangement, with each unit running in load/unload mode. In […]

Elobau will again be represented as an exhibitor at this year’s ConExpo. In South Hall 4, S85221, the German manufacturer of operator controls for machinery and operator controls will present its multifunctional 225 MA midi modular armrest. Elobau, a global manufacturer of non-contact sensor technology, level measurement and operator controls for off-highway equipment with headquarters […]

Danfoss Power Solutions will showcase its range of hydraulic, fluid conveyance, and electrification products and services at the 2023 International Fluid Power Exposition, March 14-18, in Las Vegas. At its booth, S80515, the company will demonstrate how it is “Powering the future of machine performance.” “Autonomy, electrification, connectivity, and digitalization aren’t just buzzwords. They’re enabling […]

A wood products company had some troubles operating its compressed air system in the coldest winter months. Maintenance workers found that the pressure at various points in their plant would fall to very low levels, especially after weekend plant shutdowns. The plant had a system of lubricated screw compressors with refrigerated air dryers to condition […]

A metal processor had a four-compressor system that was well controlled by a compressor sequencer. System operation was very well monitored by a system of pressure, power, and flow instruments that fed system operating characteristics back to the maintenance supervisor. One day before the Christmas holiday, the supervisor noticed that the variable speed drive (VSD) […]

Have you ever wandered through your plant on a down day and found that it sounded like a pit of vipers with noticeable compressed air leaks hissing away constantly?  Have you wondered how much money you are losing because of the leaks?  Now you can answer that question armed with a simple trash bag and […]

In the compressed air world, there are quite a number of energy savings features available to be installed on air compressors and air dryers. Often, these cost a premium to buy — but will very quickly pay for the added cost through reduced electricity bills. A recycling facility purchased an energy efficient heated blower style […]

By Ron Marshall Compressed air is one of the most expensive ways to supply energy to facility tools and equipment. This is due to the inherent inefficiencies in the process of compressing air — the biggest product is heat and the secondary output is compressed air. While this is disappointing, there are still things that […]

When controlling screw compressors, the goal is to try to keep all the running compressors fully loaded except one. And the one running partly loaded (called trim) is selected as the one having best part load efficiency characteristics. When there are only two or three compressors in a group, it is quite easy to set […]

Question: I need your advice about how to adjust the dew point for the dryers which are equipped with a dew point controller. Also, for those not having a controller, how can we determine which dew point is the best setting — -40 or -70? Answer: This is a complicated question. The method for adjusting […]

A plastics manufacturer was having constant trouble with his desiccant air dryers. No matter what he did, they would constantly set off dewpoint alarms, which was very annoying. He called in a compressed air auditor to have a look. The auditor shot temperatures and found that the discharge of the compressors was too hot. Outputs […]

In May, Piab acquired Joulin, a global leader of vacuum gripping solutions. Now, the company has integrated three of Joulin’s gripper ranges into its existing Kenos portfolio. However, solutions for heavy-duty industries will continue to be marketed under the Joulin brand. As the market for material handling solutions is growing rapidly, Joulin has been a […]

John, the maintenance manager of a wood products company, was very proud of his Number 3 compressor. It has been operating for years, racking up more than 200,000 run hours — and was so trouble free, it was almost scary. Of course, John kept it maintained, changing oil and filters on a regular basis, fixing […]

Registration is now open for NAHAD’s 39th Annual Meeting & Convention, which will take place from April 29 to May 3, 2023, at the beautiful Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Much is in store next year with top business speakers, speed networking, first timers/emerging leaders roundtables, industry workshops, networking, and the always-popular showcase of hose […]