The Offshore Technology Conference marks 50 years, as it returns to Houston April 30 to May 3. OTC 2018 returns to Houston’s NRG Park April 30 to May 3 this year, marking its 50th year bringing together engineers, technicians, executives, operators, scientists, and managers involved in offshore drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. The oil
Hydraulic hybrid powers fuel-efficient tug
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
Engineers take a novel, low-risk approach to marine propulsion with a hydraulic hybrid design. Much like the trend in mobile-equipment markets over the last decade, shipbuilders and their suppliers have made steady, incremental improvements in terms of vessel performance, fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Many in the marine industry are now pushing the next wave
April 2018 Issue: Hydraulic hybrid powers fuel-efficient tug
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
Boston Dynamics talks fluid power, 3D printing at IFK More than 650 fluid power manufacturers, users and academics came to Aachen, Germany last month to talk about the future of hydraulics and pneumatics technology at the 11th IFK. Aaron Saunders, VP of Engineering of Boston Dynamics gave a memorable keynote address. Boston Dynamics is the
Aventics using additive manufacturing to produce small batches
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
What was once just a vision of the future has become reality in many industries: using 3D printing for series production. Aventics is now taking advantage of additive manufacturing in short runs. A company from the beauty industry was looking for a unique solution for an application in compression therapy. “Our focus wasn’t on large […]
Hawe, STW team up for mechatronic control solutions at Hannover Messe
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
HAWE Hydraulik and STW Sensor-Technik Wiedemann are presenting their partnership for integrated mechatronic control solutions for mobile machines at the Hannover Messe 2018. Together, the two partners implement complete systems from hydraulics to automation and cloud-based concepts. With this step, two Bavarian companies and at the same time global players bundle their competencies, which ideally […]
Incoming director shares CCEFP vision
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power recently announced the appointment of Professor Zongxuan Sun to become Director of the CCEFP effective July 1. Professor Sun will succeed current Director, Professor Kim Stelson. We recently spoke with Prof. Sun about the Center’s mission and future direction. FPW: First of all, congratulations on being named
Make room for millennials at the jobsite, says AEM
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
Construction has often been considered one of the last industries to embrace technology. That is starting to change, however, as construction companies look for new ways to change the mindset of those working at the jobsite. Enter the younger generation, otherwise known as millennials. They have grown up with apps and solutions to solve just […]
Festo showcases solution for variable control of flow rate or fill level
April 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
Festo Corp. will introduce a new control solution for infinitely variable flow rate and fill level based on the DFPI linear pneumatic actuator at the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference in Rosemont, Ill., April 24-26. The company also showcases its range of process valve solutions for clean or harsh environments where powders and bulk […]
Schmitz, new IFAS head, talks about opportunities for women in fluid power
April 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
Next month, as part of the 3rd annual Fluid Power Technology Conference, our own Managing Editor, Mary Gannon, will moderate a session on Women in Fluid Power. This powerhouse panel will include Caryes Allan, VP, Higginson Equipment; Céline Cabana, Technical Account Manager, FD-GROUPS America; Dr. H.C. Monika Ivantysynova, Maha Professor Fluid Power Systems, Director, Maha
Heavy duty mini transmitter offers maximum customizability for mobile machinery
April 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
Designed for heavy-duty use, Scanreco’s Mini Transmitter is also compact and easily customized to meet OEM and system integrator requirements. The Mini Transmitter can accommodate 1-6 linear levers or 1-3 joysticks, as well as several pushbuttons and switches. Operator feedback is available via high-performance color display, monochrome display or LEDs, and despite its compact footprint […]
What size of pipe should I used to connect my air compressor?
April 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
Quite often, the compressed air pipe connected to an air compressor is sized to the same diameter as the connection on the compressor outlet. But this can be a mistake because it may lead to excessive pressure loss that can affect the operational efficiency of the compressor. For example, one manufacturer, to save costs, puts […]
Aventics participates in Future Day and Girls Day events
April 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
This spring, Aventics will again sponsor several campaigns aimed at getting young people interested in technology. By participating in “Girls Day” and “Future Day,” the pneumatics specialist hopes to draw the interest of children and youth in compressed air as a technology. On April 12, 2018, Aventics welcomed ten participants to its Girls Day in […]
Echo Engineering to invest $24 million, add jobs to its new Michigan-based location
April 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
As previously announced, Echo Engineering, Indianapolis, recently acquired a Michigan-based plastics injection molder, Ammex Plastics, as it aims to grow its presence in the automotive industry. As a result, Echo Engineering is investing $2.4 million into 60-plus full-time jobs with additional real estate and automated manufacturing equipment in the two facilities in Michigan. The two facilities, […]
New at the FPTC: Pre-conference workshops from IFPS and MSOE
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
New to the Fluid Power Technology Conference are two full-day workshops on Monday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Grohmann Tower. Registration is required. Attendees can choose from the following: Advanced Hydraulics Workshop presented by the International Fluid Power Society’s Tom Blansett — Data gathered from IFPS Hydraulic Specialist
How do I get an air cylinder to use less air?
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
An air cylinder’s compressed air use can often be accomplished by reducing pressure or use of other measures. Air cylinders are common devices in pneumatic assemblies and are used to transmit linear force and motion. The basic parts use a piston assembly connected to a rod within a tube. The force produced by the air […]
New Terex Utilities manufacturing HQ in South Dakota will simplify operations, add capacity
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
Terex Utilities announces plans to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on a 55-acre site in Watertown, S.D. Here, Terex Utilities will house all of its assembly, fiberglass, paint, and installation for the company’s aerial devices, digger derricks, and auger drills. By consolidating from ten facilities to one, Terex Utilities aims to enhance its production efficiencies […]
AEM wins ‘Gold Circle’ marketing excellence award for IFPE/CONEXPO-CON/AGG
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership has selected the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) for a Gold Circle Award, which recognizes excellence, innovation and achievement in association/nonprofit marketing, membership and communications programs. AEM is one of 14 Gold Circle Award honorees nationwide in 2018, winning for its IFPE/CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 marketing campaign. ASAE noted that the […]
Autonomous Solutions named 2018 Edison Award Gold Winner for autonomous tractor concept
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
The Edison Awards announced that Autonomous Solutions Inc. (ASI) was voted a Gold winner in the 2018 Edison Awards for its work in the development of the Autonomous Tractor Concept with CNH Industrial and its brands Case IH and New Holland Agriculture. The Edison Awards, celebrating 31 years of honoring the best in innovation and […]
FPTC Hot Technologies: Ductile iron for manifolds and high-strength materials
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
Dura-Bar will be showcasing its series ductile iron for manifold applications and its new Solution Strengthened Ductile Iron at this year’s Fluid Power Technology Conference at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Visitors can see this and other Dura-Bar technologies at booth 203 at the FPTC May 15-16. Better under pressure: Dura-Bar’s ductile iron for manifold applications Pressure ratings […]
Hydraulic system contamination: causes and solutions
April 19, 2018 : 0 Comments
Overlooking these common causes of hydraulic system contamination could mean catastrophic machine failure. Vigilance is key in maintaining a clean machine. By Carl Dyke. CD Industrial Group Inc. I picture several things when I think of a mobile hydraulic system malfunction: damaged control wiring and connectors a scored valve spool stuck in place a pressure valve […]
Fluid Power Technology Conference returns to Milwaukee
April 18, 2018 : 0 Comments
Now in its third year, the FPTC—slated for May 14 to 16 at MSOE’s Kern Center—boasts expanded session offerings for design engineers and MRO professionals. The third annual Fluid Power Technology Conference offers an expanded three-day program, with technical presentations geared towards OEM design engineers and after-market professionals in the maintenance, service and repair sectors.
Hydraulic unit expands beyond home factory
April 18, 2018 : 0 Comments
MJC Engineering is a custom machine tool builder in Huntington Beach, Calif., specializing in metal-spinning machines for sheet spinning, flow forming, wheel spinning and others. MJC machines typically use large volumes of hydraulic power in operation. About three years ago, the president at MJC, Carl Lorentzen, began investigating the configuration of the hydraulic units used
FPTC Hot Technologies: CEJN’s ultra high-pressure hydraulic couplings and flat-face designs
April 18, 2018 : 0 Comments
CEJN North America will be showcasing its series 140 ultra high-pressure hydraulic couplings and its series 217 flat-face couplings and nipples at this year’s Fluid Power Technology Conference at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Visitors can see this and other CEJN coupling technologies at the FPTC May 15-16. Featuring a non-drip design and safety ring to […]
Komatsu America is second large OEM to move headquarters to Chicago
April 18, 2018 : 0 Comments
Komatsu America Corp., a leading global heavy equipment manufacturer, today announced plans to move company headquarters to Chicago, IL in 2020. This follows on last year’s announcement that Caterpillar was also moving to Chicago. The new site at Triangle Plaza, 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., will feature a new, open floorplan, designed to foster more […]
New accumulator cylinder from Freudenberg
April 18, 2018 : 0 Comments
The larger a tractor’s footprint, the less it compacts the soil. To minimize compaction, global machinery manufacturer CLAAS has introduced a tractor with a track drive that integrates newly developed accumulator cylinders from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. They combine the functions of a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic accumulator in a single system. This makes installation […]
