Engineering Basics

By Robert J. Sheaf, Contributing Editor I use the attached hydraulic circuit in most of my training classes to see how well the students understand what is going on when the press is in neutral, extending or retracting. The design was used by an OEM who builds several presses. One requirement this particular customer insisted…

Despite years of warnings — and the development of OSHA standards — there are still many dangerous compressed air blow wands in service at facilities throughout the world. Countless injuries and even deaths could have been prevented if safer devices were used or the blowing eliminated altogether. Fig. 1 shows a wand used to clean […]

If you are shopping for a refrigerated air dryer, it is a good idea to consult the Compressed Air & Gas Institute (CAGI) published data from the manufacturer before you buy. If you buy a non-cycling air dryer, the unit will consume about the same power no matter what — even if the associated air […]

Understanding the hydraulic system is critical when choosing work tools and attachments for mobile machines. George MacIntyre and Ted Polzer, Product Managers, Case Construction Equipment, Racine, Wisconsin Skid steers and compact track loaders (CTLs) are two of the most useful pieces of mobile equipment, and adding attachments makes them all that much more versatile when […]

Both electropneumatic pressure regulators and flow control valves can be utilized in controlling vacuum systems. By using an electropneumatic pressure regulator, the designer develops a system which the suction force of the vacuum cup can be precisely controlled. The function of the electropneumatic flow control remains the same when controlling the flow of air in […]

Braking systems take advantage of the textbook offerings given by hydraulics — power, controllability and safety. Hydraulic brakes are fairly simple on the cover, requiring a hydraulic pump and a brake actuator. Vehicle braking systems may get by with only what are essentially two cylinders, one at the pump and the other at the brake. […]

Flow dividers provide a unique solution to a specific problem in hydraulic applications — splitting flow while limiting its tendency to take the path of least resistance. Without a flow divider, any time you wish to split flow to two or more downstream subcircuits, the path with the lowest pressure will steal most (if not […]

Contributed by Justin Fluegel An electro-pneumatic pressure regulator is an ideal option to control the force, tension, or torque within a system. The pressure within a system directly correlates to the amount of force available to the actuator — lower pressure results in a lower force and vice versa. For the controller to regulate the […]

Tubing, when done well, is highly reliable and maintenance-free. The only time you change tube is typically when a modification or upgrade is done to the machine. Tubing resists motion or vibration that, although possibly transmitted, doesn’t cause it to shake or move the assembly itself. However, the inherent flexibility of hose permits chaffing, rubbing […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Bearings are mechanical components designed to bear the load from a complimentary part, such as a shaft. Any shaft in fluid power subjected to loads perpendicular to the axis of movement requires a bearing. In most cylinder examples, one-piece bushings are best suited to support loads, offering exceptional surface area…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There isn’t much in the fluid power world taking a unique spin on a familiar concept. Pumps, valves and actuators operate and look much the same as decades ago, especially if you ignore electronic advancements. Hydraulic components like the internal gear pump and electrohydraulic actuator are certainly worth your time […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Environmentally friendly fluids, corrosion resistance, and fire- and explosion-proof technologies are just some of the design options necessary in offshore use. Offshore oil and gas applications are one of the most demanding environments for a machine of any name, let alone hydraulic equipment. Offshore describes the open water, of course,…

Contributed by Mike Kreklau, Technical Sales at Tsunami Compressed Air Solutions Downtime and inefficiency don’t have to be your production line’s worst enemy. You want shop equipment that comes with no strings attached — no downtime and no maintenance. Maybe that’s a pipe dream, but there are ways to fix many air-related symptoms of an inefficient […]

Are you still using open ended compressed air blowing?  Are these blowers simply controlled by a ball valve?  Did you know these tools can turn into dangerous uncontrolled projectiles if accidently dropped when the valve is wide open? They cause noise pollution and present a risk of eye injury when chips of debris are sent […]

Many industrial sites measure their compressed air quality, or think they do.  When asked to show the dew point of a system with refrigerated air dryers, the compressor operators will typically point to the air dryer display, not knowing that the reading is not really dew point, but the temperature within the air dryer itself.  […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pressure compensated pumps, pressure compensated flow controls or even just straight-up pressure compensators – these terms are thrown around constantly. But unless you’re a hydraulic specialist, you may not know what these are, let alone what they do. Of course, you’ve probably heard of systems analysts and cartographers too, but […]

Contributed by Troy Sanders  |  National Sales Manager  |  Fabco-Air When your operation calls for a pneumatic actuator, you’ll find a wide range of products available from various manufacturers. But because no two applications are alike, you must weigh several considerations before selecting and ordering an actuator. This article will discuss the different cylinder types […]

You might be surprised to hear that oil and water do mix. Of course, they won’t mix when poured together in a glass and stirred with a spoon. But forces at play to destroy your hydraulic system find ways to allow much more water to saturate and emulsify with your innocent hydraulic oil. Heat, oxidation […]

This article was updated May 8, 2022 with the solution to this challenge. By Robert J. Sheaf, Contributing Writer Troubleshooting Challenge is a new regular column in which Sheaf will highlight a situation where he was called to consult on a malfunctioning system or machine, provide a circuit to highlight the machine’s functions and ask…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor A clutch is a mechanical device that disconnects a driveshaft from its input shaft, pausing output torque. Clutches — hydraulic or otherwise — often use friction to engage the input and output ends of the assembly. The friction material is not unlike the compound employed by vehicles for their brake […]

NBR is an acronym for nitrile butadiene rubber but goes by many other names, such as nitrile or buna. NBR is a synthetic rubber compound made from acrylonitrile and butadiene. Buna is renowned for its natural resistance to oils, fuels, water and many other chemicals. You may use NBR for most hydraulic applications, especially those […]

By Ron Marshall What is my compressed air’s electric bill percentage? This is a difficult question to answer, because rarely are there any energy meters installed on typical compressed air systems. But there are some hints if we do some research. Years ago, the USDOE did a detailed study of motor systems and found that […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Every hydraulic hose must first be cut to length before assembly, and one would think all cutting methods are equal. The truth is quite the opposite actually. Any safe, reliable hose assembly requires a perfectly cut hose tip to allow the ends to fit snug before crimping. Any amount of […]

In our recent Engineering Week, I sat down with Carl Dyke, founder of LunchBox Sessions and CD Industrial, to talk about hydraulic system troubleshooting. In this multi-part series based on that conversation, we’re going to look at why hydraulic systems fail, how system maintainers can prevent failures, and tips and tricks to troubleshoot problems and…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants, as far as the hydraulics industry is concerned, are fluids offering a reduced impact on the environment. EAL fluids are especially a concern for machinery operating on or around waterways, where the disastrous impact of potentially hazardous and toxic oil is most severe. Many environmental regulations require […]