Mary Gannon

The Equipment Service Association (ESA) is pleased to announce the three winners of its annual scholarship drawing. The winners were picked during a live drawing on Zoom with ESA members and students in attendance. The winners are Jennifer Bustamante, Shandale Howard, and Corey Valleroy. “ESA is proud to offer this opportunity to our members and…

The new DSNU-S round cylinder is the latest response from Festo to the need of machine designers for smaller versions of standard components so they can shrink the footprint of their machines or production lines accordingly. The DSNU-S, part of Festo’s core product range of always-in-stock components, is up to 40% slimmer, 35 mm shorter, […]

To increase reliability, life, and efficiency of systems, the hydraulic Filtration Division of Eaton introduces the optimized version of IFPM 33 mobile, off-line fluid purifier system. The fully-automated, PLC-controlled purifiers effectively remove free, emulsified and dissolved water, free and dissolved gases, and particulate contamination down to 3 µm from light transformer oils to heavy lubricating […]

Coval’s new LEMAX IO series of mini vacuum pumps with IO LINK communication integrate all the required functions for optimized vacuum management in a compact package. Via their IO-Link communications interface, the mini vacuum pumps communicate permanently with the environment and thanks to ASC (Air Saving Control) technology, combine productivity with energy savings, adapting to […]

Festo recently introduced VPPI, a new family of proportional pressure regulators. Highly dynamic to 30 Hz, VPPI offers precise and stable operation in vacuum applications as well as tasks up to a pressure range of 12 bar. Coupled with an IO-Link interface as well as a fieldbus connection for controlling the valves via a Festo […]

PIRTEK USA has launched a new product line of industrial hose to enhance available products and services to clients in mining, petro-chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The new industrial hose will expand PIRTEK USA’s range of product offerings and will create the ability to service additional types of machinery and equipment through all of its franchise […]

Contributed by Frances Richards Pneumatic cylinders, also called air cylinders, pneumatic actuators, or pneumatic drives, are relatively simple mechanical devices that use the energy of compressed air and turn it into linear motion. Lightweight and low maintenance, pneumatic cylinders generally operate at lower speeds and less force than their hydraulic or electric counterparts, but are […]

Dayco, an engine products and drive systems specialist for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, has launched a crimper program for customers in North America that stock hydraulic components. Designed to introduce all industrial customers to the benefits of using a premium Dayco crimper, the company’s new hydraulic crimper program helps simplify the process of […]

Webtec’s new HPM7000 hand-held hydraulic data logger meets the demands of a broad user profile, including those involved in hydraulic system diagnostics, test stands, pre-dispatch inspection or research and development. With the highly versatile HPM7000 portable hydraulic data logger, which is the successor to Webtec’s popular long-standing HPM6000 model, users can obtain quick answers to…

The RPEI electrohydraulic inverse proportional pressure relief valve is a new high-capacity pressure control that provides smooth, precise speed control in fan drive applications. Designed for use in fan drive applications, the RPEI combines attributes of an electro-proportional adjustable pilot stage valve and a high-capacity main stage valve to provide precise pressure control inversely proportional […]

ESA, in partnership with the International Sealing Distribution Association and the FPDA Motion & Control Network, will  welcome members and industry colleagues to Florida for this year’s Industry Summit. Registration for the three-day event, which will be held October 3-6, is now open. The event will be held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort […]

Last month, I reported on NFPA shipments with thoughts from Peter Alles, VP of Member Services and Marketing for the NFPA, and how the industry is recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Current data still shows that shipments are starting to even out, as they are greater than at the start of the pandemic but…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The line that separates the performance of servo and proportional valves has blurred in recent years. Some may consider a servovalve to be any valve capable of accurately positioning your actuator with closed-loop control. However, in everyday hydraulic circles, many industry professionals describe a servovalve as a valve with a […]

The use of GPS technology, coupled with the power and precision of hydraulics, ensures modern farming success. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor It’s challenging to find an industry older than agriculture. Humans have been farming for over twelve millennia based on current estimates, making agriculture easily more mature than all other industries outside of carpentry. […]

Contributed by Darryl Powell, Doc’s Hydraulic-Pneumatic Training LLC When specifying pneumatic cylinders, you may think that the most important information needed is the bore size and stroke. While these details are certainly important, the application’s requirements are more critical. For example, several questions should be considered: is the cylinder in a wet environment (maybe salt […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Most consider a hydraulic hose to be maintenance-free. They’re often installed and forgotten until they need replacement, hopefully not under conditions of catastrophic failure. Contrary to popular belief, hydraulic hose does not enjoy infinite service life. Like any component manufactured from metal and rubber, you may undoubtedly expect failure in […]

Contributed by James Czegledi, Engineering Manager Quality-built hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders are designed to last for long life, and when installed and maintained properly, cylinders are expected to meet or exceed projected lifecycles. However, misalignment and/or side load on the rod bearing and/or the piston can cause premature damage leading to cylinder failure. Cylinder side…

Last month, Pirtek announced that it had added eight new franchise locations, as demand continues to increase throughout the pandemic. I spoke with Nick Ridgway, Director of Franchise Development of PIRTEK USA, to learn more about this growth and what the mobile hose company expects for the near future. FPW: Can you detail the type […]

Parker Hannifin has announced that its mechanical flange system for machines and plants (with working pressures of up to 420 bar) — “HPF – Parker High Performance Flange System” — has gained DNV GL approval for marine applications. The DGUV approval certifies the use of Parker’s HPF in hydraulic systems for injection moulding machinery as […]

Schroeder Industries is pleased to announce the launch of Schroeder Service at WasteExpo 2021. Over the last couple of years, Schroeder has been building the Schroeder Service program and all of its offerings. What started as a basic contamination audit now includes a more in-depth contamination auditing service, a rental equipment program, a sensor calibration service, […]

Reliable Plant 2021 is set for October 19-21 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. Currently, registration is 50% off until Friday, June 25. Reliable Plant is the place where reliability and maintenance professionals come together to learn from experts, see the latest technology and meet leaders in the industry. The event features four jam-packed […]

Argo-Hytos is launching new sophisticated and versatile proportional electronic control units for hydraulic applications. The EL7 control unit offers multiple types of analog input signals (nine) and also gives the user the option to switch to the CAN bus interface. Everything is easily parametrizable via Bluetooth using the ARGO-HYTOS app, which is free to download […]

Distributed automation options have been improving for many years. Networked electro-pneumatic solenoid banks give machine builders smart and convenient choices. Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer, AutomationDirect Most automated machines and systems incorporate some number of enclosures and panels for housing controls components. However, these centralized devices typically must interconnect with many more field sensors and […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Viton is actually a registered trademark of Chemours Company (previously of DuPont) and is a synthetic rubber used in seals. Viton is a family of fluoropolymer elastomers also identified as FKM, but the family offers various copolymers. Often green or brown, Viton finds itself used in various hydraulic applications requiring […]

Following the announcements that Chicago’s McCormick place will hold events starting in July and that the state of Illinois lifted capacity limits and social distancing requirements on June 11, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show continued the positive momentum by unveiling the floor plan for IMTS 2022. “IMTS 2022 will once again occupy all…