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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Is it worth buying dew point control for an air dryer?
April 13, 2018 : 0 Comments
Dew point controls on desiccant dryers should definitely be considered. If not controlled, the purge air circuit on a desiccant dryer will consume constant flow even through it might not be required. This represents a significant area of waste in your compressed air system, but something can be improved with a retrofit. Purge air is […]
NAHAD Convention comes to South Florida
April 12, 2018 : 0 Comments
One of the best fluid power events of the year is coming up, as NAHAD, the Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution, hosts its 34th Annual Meeting and Convention at the JW Marriott Marco Island Resort in southwestern Florida. Located about an hour south of Fort Meyers, Marco Island is a popular winter destination and […]
What are common locations of pressure loss in compressed air systems?
March 30, 2018 : 0 Comments
A small fiberglass manufacturer had a problem. There tools were not performing adequately; they would stall when production workers tried to really work them, reducing production throughput. A compressed air auditor was called in to investigate, he found that the air compressors were running at 140 psi, as high as they could go, but the […]
If your cylinder is about to fail or starting to fail, how do you know?
March 28, 2018 : 0 Comments
If you have a pneumatic cylinder that is leaking, you may see reduced performance and speed. If you have a piston that is leaking you may have bypass going. You try and activate it on the cap side and air’s just flowing right across the piston to the rod side. In some cases, you may […]
RMC200 motion controller expands I/O options
March 27, 2018 : 0 Comments
Delta Computer Systems Inc. has announced its new high-density 8-channel Voltage Output Module (CV8) for use with the RMC200. The RMC200 is the latest and most advanced of Delta’s closed-loop electro-hydraulic motion controllers, capable of directing up to 32 axes. This new add-on module allows for configurations that handle more axes while consuming less panel
3 things to know about 3D printing of construction equipment
March 27, 2018 : 0 Comments
If you were at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017, you may have seen the unveiling of the world’s first 3D-printed excavator at the event’s inaugural Tech Experience. It was more than just an attention-getter. 3D printing has slowly but surely developed into a disruptive technology poised to have far-reaching effects on the equipment industry. The Association […]
How do I set up a VSD compressor to run with a fixed speed?
March 27, 2018 : 0 Comments
If you have a variable speed drive (also called variable frequency drive) compressor installed in your system and want it to work correctly with your fixed speed compressors, then things need to work a little bit differently that normal. A VSD compressor should be taking the partial load, with the fixed speed units either running […]
Why are pneumatic cylinders used over hydraulic ones?
March 27, 2018 : 0 Comments
Air cylinders are used primarily for their quick rate of cycling. By cycling I mean the rate at which they can cycle back and forth. The nature of pneumatics is that air cylinders will accelerate quickly, and move at a high velocity. For a given cylinder and plumbing size air moves more efficiently than does […]
Boston Dynamics’ VP of Engineering talks fluid power, 3D printing
March 23, 2018 : 0 Comments
More than 650 fluid power manufacturers, users and academics have come here to Aachen, a small western German city, to talk about the future of hydraulics and pneumatics technology, as well as current R&D projects. However, last night, what everyone was talking about was robots. The closing keynote on Tuesday evening was an all-too-short talk
A tour of the RWTH Aachen IFAS fluid power labs
March 20, 2018 : 0 Comments
I had a very interesting tour of the IFAS (Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems) research labs, as part of the 11th IFK Fluid Power Conference in Aachen, Germany. IFAS, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is also undergoing a large change at the top, with a new leader. “It’s a very interesting time
Autonomous Solutions tech being used in New Holland, Case pilot programs
March 14, 2018 : 0 Comments
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) technology will be used in two pilot programs with large scale commercial growers in California. A partnership agreement has been announced between ASI, New Holland Agriculture, and E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest family-owned winery in the world, to operate the autonomous vehicles in their vineyard operations. Similarly, there has […]
Five companies reach milestone anniversaries with NFPA
March 14, 2018 : 0 Comments
Each year, the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) acknowledges fluid power industry companies that have reached a significant membership milestone with the organization. This year was no different; the recognized companies value the benefits they receive as NFPA members and see the importance of long-term support. Founded in 1953, NFPA is the only trade association […]
