Ken Korane

Several important trends are affecting the world of fluid power and, specifically, hydraulic power units. According to Axel Schwerdtfeger, CTO of HAWE Hydraulik, based in Munich, Germany, one important area involves digitalization and connectivity in systems. Also, electrification of mobile machines is on the rise, and thus miniaturization and decentralization of power packs — bringing…

Hitachi Construction & Mining, a division of John Deere Construction & Forestry Co., announced the EX2000-7 — its latest EX-7 series mining excavator that is said to enhance efficiency, reliability and durability. Its new Cummins QST30-C engines cut fuel consumption for significant cost savings and lower environmental impact. Hydraulic pumps optimized with electronic regulation, high […]

Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced three new electric compact machines, the L20 Electric wheel loader and EC18 Electric and ECR18 Electric excavators. The units join the current L25 and ECR25 electric offerings, and give Volvo the industry’s largest range of electric-drive machines, according to company officials. Volvo CE’s growing range of electric-drive equipment is said […]

Purdue University researchers have undertaken a $3.2 million Dept. of Energy project to optimize the hydraulic systems that connect tractors and implements. “Fluid power is everywhere,” said Andrea Vacca, professor of mechanical engineering and agricultural and biological engineering, and director of the Maha Fluid Power Research Center, the largest academic hydraulics lab in the country. […]

Pressure regulators, as the name indicates, control the pressure in a pneumatic circuit.  Setting and maintaining pressure in a system is important for safety and energy efficiency of individual actuators, tools and instruments as well as for the complete circuit. A typical manufacturing facility has plant air pressure from the compressor set to around 110 […]

The Cat Next Generation hydraulic mining shovel displayed at MINExpo 2021 is engineered for the future, according to Caterpillar officials. The design fully integrates Cat Electronics and provides a platform to support innovation and technology expansion. The Next Generation shovels will feature five standard technologies, including Hydraulic Optimization, Operator Assist: Enhanced Motion Control (EMC), Product […]

At MINExpo 2021, Komatsu introduced a new underground hard rock drilling machine with several advanced features originating from customer input and collaboration. Unlike previous models, it includes hoseless booms. The ZJ32Bi is a battery-electric, medium-class jumbo which, according to the company, is built on a common platform for increased user adoption and efficient training. A […]

The global mining industry has demonstrated its commitment to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in support of the Paris Agreement, with many major mining companies announcing decarbonization targets over the past 18 months. This increased focus on GHG emission reduction has accelerated the implementation of Liebherr’s existing low carbon systems and triggered future projects to […]

At the September NFPA/FPIC meeting, Peter Bleday, head of Danfoss Power Solutions autonomous vehicles group in Cambridge, Mass., discussed how the mobile industry has embraced more advanced technologies like autonomy, digitization and connectivity. In the process, he explained, Danfoss has had to expand its own product offerings and its PLUS+1 control platform, and also rely […]

Sooner or later, many companies will tell their remote workers to learn to live with Covid, and that it’s time to return to the office. Few are counting on a different kind of virus — ransomware — being part of the back-to-normal routine. As the pandemic forced employees to work from home, their laptops, smartphones…

As part of the ongoing effort to improve hydraulic efficiency in excavators, the Common Pressure Rail Hybrid system by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is yet another innovation improving performance while reducing CO2 emissions, in line with Volvo Group’s net zero carbon ambitions by 2040. A Volvo CE team from Sweden and South Korea worked […]

Siemens has announced the availability of a new enclosed drive system, the SINAMICS G120XE, designed specifically for demanding compressor, fan and industrial pump applications operating in rugged conditions. Built around the popular SINAMICS G120X infrastructure drive, this new enclosed system is suited for fast design and commissioning in industries such as oil-and-gas, mining, petrochemical, refrigeration […]

Bosch Rexroth’s new Subsea Clamping Cylinder protects valuable offshore systems against premature wear, without requiring diving work or a power supply. The device takes into account the complete life cycle of riser systems, whether for transport and storage on the seabed, commissioning and reliable use, or removal and reuse. The Subsea Clamping Cylinder for fully…

Much has been said about the manufacturing skills gap, the disconnect between capabilities manufacturers expect from their workforce, and the knowledge and expertise that workers actually possess. However, another skills gap is emerging and is likely to impact virtually all industries — the electrical skills gap. With more emphasis than ever on digitalization, electrification and…

The AirFlowSaver supplies energy- and cost-optimized compressed air based on unique SmartValve technology. Contributed by Wolfgang Teichmann, CEO and Markus Koenig, CSO, KTW Technology, Wehr, Germany nad Andy Pott, Vice President, PHIR Technologies, Hartland, Wisconsin For well over a century, compressed air has been commonly used across many industries because it is a simple, flexible and […]

Far-reaching hydraulics powers a show-stopping display. Contributed by Paolo Leutenegger, General Manager  •  Duplomatic Motion Solutions, Parabiago, Italy  Expo 2020, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, opens October 1 in Dubai. The world’s fair, set to welcome 190 participating countries with an estimated 25 million visitors from across the globe, aspires to increase awareness about the…

Many companies talk a good game when it comes to climate change but for most, it’s not a top priority. Pneumatics manufacturer SMC, in contrast, is incorporating sustainability across its entire business, from the products it makes and how they are manufactured to reorganizing production facilities to minimize waste and CO2 emissions. According to Global…

The AirFlowSaver from KTW Technology, Wehr, Germany, is an integrated system that reduces compressed air consumption while improving productivity in many industrial applications, including blow-off, drying, degreasing, cleaning, material handling and certain pneumatic control tasks. It works by converting continuous air flows into sharp and powerful pulses that increase output force. Thus, it cuts air […]

The recent U.S.-China mini summit in Alaska brought to mind Wyatt Earp and the Clanton brothers. But instead of lead flying, it was insults. The U.S. delegation lambasted China’s oppressive actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, saber-rattling against Taiwan, cyberattacks on the U.S. and economic coercion toward allies — all which threaten global stability. China…

Here are some tips to reduce losses, right-size components and streamline circuits, all of which can lead to sizable cost savings. Phil McElroy, Product Sales Manager and IFPS-Certified Fluid Power Pneumatic Specialist, Norgren Most industrial facilities depend on compressed air for a range of operations, performed by everything from simple air tools to far-more-complicated pneumatic […]

In hydraulic systems, proportional flow control valves ensure that flow rates remain virtually constant. In doing so, they have to meet a large number of performance criteria that extend beyond their core function. According to engineers at Bucher Hydraulics, manufacturers and operators of mobile machines are increasingly placing a special emphasis on energy efficiency. Flow […]

The 2020 financial year proved to be a challenging one for Festo, but it also offered a year full of opportunities. According to Dr. Oliver Jung, chairman of the management board, the company proved to be economically stable and has weathered the pandemic well. The Festo Group had to cope with a 7.5% decline in […]

Modern mobile machinery requires compact and robust hydraulic components. And according to engineers at ARGO-HYTOS, this also applies to hydraulic tanks, as lack of space and cost pressure often lead to a reduction in tank volume. With a simultaneous increase in performance in the form of higher volume flows, the requirements for return filters are […]

FDX Fluid Dynamix, located in Berlin, Germany, has developed the OsciLeak compressed air leak-detection system. It’s based on the company’s proprietary next-generation nozzle technology. Compressed air is commonly used as an energy source, especially in industrial plants. According to FDX officials, it is estimated that 30% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used […]

Atlas Copco has developed what they call the world’s first completely solid desiccant for air dryers. The material, termed Cerades, will be initially used in its CD 20⁺-335⁺ series of dryers. Company officials said the new product will revolutionize compressed air drying. Adsorption dryers have previously used containers filled with thousands of tiny desiccant beads […]