Registration is now open for the 2021 Industry & Economic Outlook Conference. Making a return to an in-person format, the event will take place August 16-18, 2021 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. This year’s schedule is packed with an outstanding lineup of industry experts and networking opportunities, and, as always,…
HRV-HP inline pressure relief hydraulic valve
Doering’s hydraulic inline pressure relief valves are an easy way to protect any hydraulic system from pressure spikes. Easy to install and durable for a long life. HRV-HRVF-HRVM High Pressure direct-acting relief valves are normally closed, pressure-limiting valves used to protect hydraulic systems from pressure spikes. When the pressure at the inlet reaches the pressure […]
Compressed air fail: Dryer size
A testing building within a large industrial complex required compressed air for general uses in the processing of the materials to be tested for purity. The load on the compressed air systems is mostly compressed air powered hand tools and processing equipment, but a small amount of air is used within a laboratory where sensitive […]
Swagelok enhances online purchasing at swagelok.com
Swagelok has made numerous upgrades to its swagelok.com website, in order to improve visitors’ product browsing, researching, and buying experience. Powered by SAP Commerce, the update makes it more intuitive for visitors to navigate the website, find products that meet their application needs, determine accurate pricing and availability from local authorized Swagelok sales and service centers, and efficiently place…
Compressed air fail: Water shut-off valve
A large industrial complex used water-cooled compressors to supply 115-psi compressed air to its processes. The cooling water temperature was quite low throughout the year and provided compressed air at lower-than-normal temperatures. This took moisture load off the air dryers, but these cool temperatures also caused problems. The plant had been designed with redundant compressor […]
Compressed air power transfer efficiency
How much are you getting out of your compressed air system? Well, the answer might disappoint you. Most users consider compressed air as a free unlimited resource and rarely hesitate to hook any extra demands to the system without first considering the financial impact. Consider a typical compressed air powered vane motor that provides a […]
Bosch Rexroth reveals fast, power-dense Hägglunds Atom hydraulic motor
The smallest of the Hägglunds hydraulic motors from Bosch Rexroth has been transformed. The Hägglunds Atom takes over from the existing Hägglunds CAb — supplying not only more revolutions per minute, but also far more power than motors of similar size. The result is a tiny, power-dense package suitable for mobile, marine and recycling applications. […]
Festo recognized for digital 3D CAD product catalog
Festo SE & Co. KG was awarded the Golden Catalog Seal by CADENAS GmbH for its comprehensive digital 3D CAD product catalog. Festo has been successfully using the digital product catalog based on the eCATALOGsolutions technology from CADENAS for many years, creating the basis for digital twins of its products. The Festo product catalog fulfills […]
Save the date for NFPA’s 2021 IEOC in Chicago
2021 Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC) August 16 – 18, 2021 Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort Oak Brook, Ill. The Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC) is NFPA’s highly anticipated economic event for everyone in the fluid power supply chain – NFPA members and non-members alike are all invited to attend. The 2021 event…
Linde Hydraulics gets new CEO, new Americas President
Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG has appointed a new CEO. As of July 1st, 2021, Dr. Matthias Schreiber will take over the position as CEO. Schreiber has many years of experience in development and sales and was most recently SVP at MAN Truck & Bus SE. This experience is an important basis for the […]
Innovation here and abroad
Innovation in fluid power has had its fits and starts, at least here in the U.S. There have been countless stories of soldiers coming back from WWII to start fluid power manufacturing companies here. But in the decades that followed, it seemed that much of the high-level research in the industry was happening in other…
Where is the compressed air pressure drop?
A rule of thumb used in the compressed air industry is a compressor consumes 1% more energy for every 2 psi in extra pressure at the discharge. When reducing the energy consumption of a compressed air system, we must pay detailed attention to pressure differentials at various points in the system. These pressure drops all […]
How do you test compressed air flow?
A common question when looking at optimization of a compressed air system is; How much air am I wasting? Often, inappropriate uses consume significant amounts of flow, and savings can be gained if the operation can be supplied more efficiently through optimization measures. To be able to initiate improvement projects, we must first calculate how […]
Compressed air fail: Costly drying
A phone call was received from a corporate energy manager. He reported in a frustrated tone that he was monitoring power consumption of all his compressors and dryers and had noticed a problem. He could see on his monitoring system an air dryer connected to a compressor permanently removed from service was still running! When […]
Compressed air fail: Lubricant choice
A maintenance technician was tired of paying a high price for his screw compressor lubricant. His buddy down the road had just picked up some hydraulic oil at only $80 a pail — and he was recommending using this instead. At first glance, the oils looked the same … what could it hurt, he reasoned, […]
U.S. college students: Apply by May 31 for ASCO Engineering Scholarship
Emerson reminds U.S. college students to apply, by May 31, to its 2021 ASCO Engineering Scholarship Program. The merit-based scholarships reward excellence in education and service, and the potential for leadership and contributions to the engineering, instrumentation, systems, and automation professions. In its 14th year, the scholarship program is a key part of Emerson’s strong commitment to supporting quality, […]
Eaton’s new X3 pump+motor delivers performance in compact package
Power management company Eaton today announced the launch of its X3 medium-duty pump and motor portfolio, including a new two-speed cartridge motor paired with single or back-to-back pump configurations. Combining improved package size, precision and efficiency, Eaton’s latest plug-in variable piston motor solutions are designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) improve machine control, productivity […]
Bosch Rexroth launches new Pre-Compensated Valve Platform for mobile machines
Flexible and adaptable, the Pre-Compensated Valve Platform makes it easier for mobile machine builders to selectively combine a range of hydraulic control valves into a single, integrated, multifunctional control solution to match specific operational and performance requirements. With the Pre-Compensated Valve Platform, Bosch Rexroth has engineered a solution that combines multiple valves with minimal need […]
Compressed air fail: Breathing air problems
An automotive manufacturer had various paint booths in which they prepared their products. The painters working in the booths used compressed air for breathing inside pressurized suits to protect against fumes. When the facility was built, a large breathing air purifier was installed to condition against carbon monoxide poisoning, should the air compressors ingest the […]
Why can compressed air hose reels be a leakage source?
It is very common to find retracting style hose reels installed in locations that use hand tools. These items are installed for convenience and make it easy to put the air hoses away, reducing trip hazards — but they have some commonly found problems that can increase compressed air costs and lead to performance problems: […]
Compressed air optimization — 5 basic demand side measures
A compressed air system can have superior efficiency on the supply side, but yet waste a large portion of what its compressors produce. Here are five common items of demand side improvement for any system: Fix leakage — Typical compressed air leakage levels are between 15% and 30% of average flow. Some outlier plants leak […]
Piab announces launch of the piSAFE program
While maintaining market leading vacuum performance thorough Piab’s patented COAX technology the flexible design and ease of maintenance makes it a perfect choice for challenging robotic applications and ergonomic handling devices where safety is a key concern. Whether you want a centralized or decentralized vacuum gripping system, interfaces towards common (industrial standard) EOAT systems or […]
APEM Inc. introduces new ergonomic handle option for XD Series joystick
APEM Inc. has announced the launch of its new RT handle, an ergonomic grip offering a wide combination of pushbutton and Hall effect thumbwheel combinations. Designed exclusively for APEM’s XD series joystick, the RT grip provides IP67 above panel sealing and is suited for vehicle applications requiring dedicated right hand operation. Using detailed “voice of […]
VMAC sponsors four scholarships for engineering students
VMAC is pleased to provide four $1,000 scholarships for Vancouver Island University (VIU) students entering the second year of either the Engineering Transfer or Engineering Technologist program. VMAC has committed to the scholarships as part of a pledge to invest in the local community. VIU is a public university located in the city of Nanaimo, […]
How do you select compressed air hose sizes?
True story: a fiberglass parts plant was having air pressure problems in their plant, so much so that they had turned their air compressor up to 140 psi. This was the highest it could go, which made it consume 15% more power. But still, their most critical air tool was having performance problems. An air […]