Rachael Pasini

Purdue University welcomes engineers and fluid power professionals to the 2024 International Maha Fluid Power Conference, held September 3-5, 2024, at the Stewart Center. The conference will include technical presentations, keynote lectures, and social events for attendees to network, exchange ideas, and discuss recent research trends in fluid power and motion control technologies. For the […]

The International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) honors individuals who have proven their commitment to the fluid power industry and have significantly contributed to technological advancements. At Fluid Power World, our editorial team is thrilled that contributing author Robert Sheaf has been inducted into the Fluid Power Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Sheaf is best…

Once again, the NFPA successfully completed its annual Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge to help university students gain real-world experience solving fluid power problems. The competition combines human-powered vehicles and fluid power — two technology platforms that are not generally associated with one another. Teams design and build their own fluid power vehicles and then compete […]

Lumber processing technology has come a long way and requires attention to achieve precision and speed. To stay competitive as lumber demand increases, industry expert Carl Dyke shares guidance on how to keep sawmill hydraulic systems running optimally. As part of its Timber Products Output (TPO) mill survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service…

Sometimes, the smallest change makes the biggest impact. Here’s why one machine builder no longer adjusts proximity switches on pneumatic actuators. Proximity switches are used to monitor and control the position of pneumatic actuators. They include sensors that detect the presence or absence of an object within a specified range without making physical contact with […]

Hydraulic motors and pumps with outward-extending shafts can be connected to various driven components, such as pulleys and gears. Overhung loads created by these connections can exert significant radial and axial forces on the hydraulic unit’s shaft and bearings. Overhung load adapters (OHLAs) provide support for these shafts, reducing the load on the internal bearings […]

Flowcopter has successfully demonstrated its heavy-lift utility uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), the FC100, in outdoor flight trials at the UAS Denmark Test Center at Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense. The FC100 was born out of the need for robust, heavy payload uncrewed platforms with greater endurance in markets traditionally requiring helicopters, such as search […]

Industry 4.0 aims to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, and sustainability while optimizing supply chains and workforces. It sounds like a tall order, but as more manufacturers adopt the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), edge devices, and cloud-based technologies, the more such efforts are realized. Of course, one of the fundamental challenges is extracting and leveraging […]

Emerson recently announced its new Aventics Series 625 Sentronic Proportional Pressure Control Valves. With a control deviation of less than 0.5%, the new valves are designed to deliver highly accurate, electronic proportional pressure control and provide the flexibility needed to support sophisticated pneumatic control engineering applications. Data acquisition software (DaS) software included with Series 625 […]

The other day, I smelt burning in my house and figured my husband’s soup bubbled over and cooked on the stovetop. But when he asked, “What’s that smell?” I knew we were in trouble. We followed the scent like hound dogs and traced it to the washing machine, where the laundry had congregated on one…

Cranes lift heavy loads, and precise control of the lifting process is paramount for safety and efficiency. Proportional valves fine-tune the hydraulic pressure applied to the lifting mechanism so that operators can control speed and force while lifting and lowering. In 2021, Australian crane manufacturer Franna sought to improve the performance of its MAC 25 […]

Tipco Technologies and Hose of South Texas (HOST) announced their partnership today. With a shared vision based on people, partnerships, and innovation, Hose of South Texas will be joining Tipco in its mission to become the largest independent distributor of fluid conveyance and sealing solutions in the United States. HOST will continue to operate under […]

Clippard’s high flow pinch valve provides the same functionality as the standard series but with the added benefits of a longer stroke. This makes it suitable for applications that require greater flow or those that use viscous or particulate-laden media. As with all Clippard pinch valves, each valve comes pre-installed with 12 in. (30 cm) […]

Energy professionals reconvene at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston’s NRG Park, May 6-9, 2024. Since 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has gathered thousands of experts from the oil and gas, solar, wind, hydrogen, and marine industries to discuss global energy advancements and needs. Last year, the theme was “Delivering the Future of […]

To ensure the safe operation of hydraulic systems, lubricants and hydraulic oils must be protected from unwanted particles. With hydraulic and lubricating oil filters from Eaton, operators are able to protect their machinery and maximize its operating potential through long service life. Tank-mounted filtration solutions are now complemented by the BR210 Dirt-Gate and BR110 H2O-Gate […]

Pneumatic grippers are revered for being an economical, easy-to-maintain solution with high force density. However, force control and precision can prove challenging, especially when handling delicate parts and parts of different sizes. Sensory feedback is essential in such applications to measure parameters such as the force applied, object position, and speed. Position sensing is especially […]

No one wants air compressor oil contaminating production. And in food processing applications, quality and safety are essential. E2M Kitchen, a fresh and ready-to-eat meal provider, knows this all too well. The Charlotte-based company significantly evolved its food preparation and packaging process for creating gluten-free, dairy-free, and preservative-free meals. Every tool used in its production […]

It’s no secret that the construction industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As such, engineers and researchers constantly explore new technologies that align with sustainability goals while increasing productivity and reducing manual labor. Take dry stone wall construction, for example. This manually intensive task dates back thousands of years and was historically […]

Over the weekend, I attempted to repair my seven-year-old’s battle-smashing toy. Though it’s designed to withstand rough handling and abuse, one of the key features stopped functioning, which degraded the toy’s allure. However, there was no way I would surrender my investment and chalk it up to, “Well, honey, that’s what happens when we play…

Machinery builders and OEMs save space and improve functionality by applying electro-pneumatic I/O and solenoid systems throughout their equipment. By: Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect For machine builders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) alike, there is an increasing push to deliver smarter, more modular, and physically compact systems. Among the many design choices required to make this […]

anyseals is pleased to announce the implementation of a new bulk pricing structure for its valued customers. This exciting change is a result of the company’s substantial investments in warehouse automation. The new bulk pricing structure aims to benefit wholesale distributors. This change incentivizes larger purchases by rewarding long-term anyseals partners and customers with high […]

Piab’s clever end-of-arm-tool piCOBOT has so far had almost a decade of prosperity on the market for cobot equipment. The success relates to the unit’s compact yet user-friendly design, precision, and capacity. Despite its limited weight, only 1.5 lb (720 g), this EOAT is able to lift objects of up to 15.4 lb (7 kg). […]

anyseals has announced the promotion of Tina Schulte to Vice President of Operational Excellence, effective January 2, 2024. In this new role, she will manage warehouse staff and continue enhancing warehouse performance through automation. She will report directly to Chief Operating Officer Toby Rose. anyseals is a global wholesale industrial sealing supplier founded and headquartered […]

Efficient farming is top of mind for the agricultural industry, but not at the environment’s expense. Though net-zero targets tend to push OEMs toward fully electric and even autonomous machines, there are ways to partially electrify without overhauling a design. HAWE Hydraulik provides examples of how to increase efficiency by electrifying functions strategically. Electrify work […]

I recently asked ChatGPT what “intelligence” means. It told me that intelligence is a complex and multi-faceted trait, generally consisting of three key aspects: cognitive abilities (learning, reasoning, and problem-solving), emotional intelligence (empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation), and practical intelligence (street smarts or common sense). It also informed me that since its last knowledge update…