Tiny particulates in lubricants that are invisible to the naked eye can have costly consequences in hydraulic systems. By Zach Sutton, Chevron Lubricants Industrial & Services Sector Specialist In the world of mechanical maintenance, machinery breakdowns are a reality. Mechanical wear occurs constantly, and moving parts erode in quality over time. According to a study from […]

Manufacturers across all industries seek ways to electrify, digitize, and automate their systems to decrease costs and increase efficiency. Electro-pneumatic pressure regulators and valves enable such efforts while improving pressure and flow rate accuracy. Back in the day, there were only manual pressure regulators that relied on the skill and precision of the human hand. […]

The biannual Scandinavian International Conference on Fluid Power (SICFP) returns to Tampere University, Finland, from May 30 to June 1, 2023. This SICFP alternates between Tampere and Linköping University and is a forum for exchanging information on the latest developments in off-road machinery, robotics, and other applications of fluid power from industry and academia.  Fluid…

As a natural-born tree-hugger, some wonder why I’m an editor for fluid power and manufacturing publications. Wouldn’t a person who values environmentalism participate in more “green” efforts? Yet, I cover mobile machines that cut down trees, hydraulic systems that rely on oil rigs, and automation equipment that expedites manufacturing (and subsequently creates more stuff that…

Every year, the NFPA holds a Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge for engineering students who attend universities around the U.S. The competition combines two technology platforms not normally associated with one another — human-powered vehicles and fluid power. Teams are tasked with designing and building their own fluid power vehicles over the course of a school…

Elgi North America will introduce the AR Premium Series Energy Saving Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers at the annual Association of Independent Compressor Distributors (AICD) conference in Grapevine, Texas, taking place from May 21–23. In addition, Elgi will showcase its expanded range of AB Series oil-free screw air compressors in 15-30 hp, offering a more affordable […]

The Pump & Motor Division Europe of Parker Hannifin has announced the launch of its new disengageable twin flow truck pump, the F4 series, as an innovation for the mobile hydraulics market. The new F4 hydraulic pump merges technology from the successful F2 twin flow pump and F3 axial piston fixed pump series, resulting in […]

IFPS announced that its highly sought-after In-person Hydraulic Specialist Review Training is now available in two new locations. Professionals can join IFPS in Memphis, Tennessee, August 21-25, 2023, or Windsor, Ontario, Canada, November 6-10, 2023, to gain the confidence needed to ace the certification test and take their careers to the next level. A Hydraulic…

Colonial Seal Company formalized the acquisition of SSP Manufacturing of Hackettstown, New Jersey, on April 28, 2023. SSP has been manufacturing and distributing seals and related components to the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, power transmission, automobile, cosmetic, mining, and other specialty industries since 1994. SSP products are sourced only in the U.S., and these products […]

The new Uniflex EM 120 is a hose-cutting machine for hydraulic and industrial hoses with outside diameters of up to 135 mm. The EM 120 is the first fully electric cutting machine on the market. The hose is pre-bent and locked while the blade moves up through the hose. All users need to do is […]

Too often, manufacturers treat hydraulic fluids as commodities instead of critical system components. But with rising costs and the need for optimization, fluid cleanliness and efficiency should be top of mind. At IFPE 2023, Zach Sutton, Chevron Lubricants Industrial & Services Sector Specialist, shared insights with Fluid Power World on how Chevron is taking the…

Duplomatic MS, part of the Daikin Group, will be exhibiting at SPS 2023, the industrial automation fair to be held May 23-25, 2023 (stand F043 — hall 5) at Fiere di Parma, Italy. The company will showcase its linear motion solutions developed by the Mechatronics Business Unit and the inverter-controlled hybrid systems, according to the…

Pirtek USA saw strong growth at the beginning of 2023 with five openings and 15 new franchisee signings. The new franchise agreements exceed the growth numbers for all 2022 and signal the growing demand for top-tier hydraulic and industrial service providers nationwide. Since January, Pirtek has opened five locations in Atlanta; National City, California; Covington, […]

Singer Industrial recently joined forces with Hotsy Industrial Systems, which will operate within Singer Industrial’s Fluid Power Division and increase the company’s North America footprint to approximately 85+ locations with over 1,000 employees. Hotsy Industrial Systems, established in 1994, has been owned and operated by Christy Thomas since 2015. Since purchasing the business, Christy has…

I don’t know if it was the Las Vegas rain or the underground Tesla shuttles, but IFPE 2023 felt like an alternate reality. With more than 1,800 exhibitors spanning 2.8 million square feet, the joint CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE event was larger than life and full of energy, technology, and — best of all — people.…

Compressed air quality is crucial for aerospace manufacturing, as aircraft components and tools must be of the highest quality and precision. This demanding standard for component quality urges aerospace manufacturers to utilize compressed air with specific requirements. The air must be clean, dry, and unvaried under pressure. If the air becomes dirty, moist, or varies […]

In recreational boating, hydraulic power units (HPUs) provide the muscle behind critical operating machinery used to transport, launch, or secure small craft, including lifts, trailers, and jacks. For boat lifts alone, OEMs produce a variety of configurations, such as bottom standing, piling mount, floating, and shore mounted. These machines and configurations rely on hydraulic systems […]

Vacuum gripper technologies provide many advantages for machine and OEM payload handling. Designers find that modular gripper system kits are a versatile and rapid way to create handling solutions, with other benefits such as internal vacuum routing. By Pat Phillips, AutomationDirect Manufacturing equipment, pick-and-place systems, robotics, and other machinery typically need to reliably grip products, […]

Parker Hannifin showcased a variety of technologies at IFPE 2023. The booth featured new and evolved products in their smart electrification technology portfolio aimed at enabling battery-powered machines. Though Parker is known for hydraulics, the company has been creating electric components and integrating hydraulics into electric systems for almost 40 years. At IFPE, Parker displayed…

For years, Coxreels has supplied heavy-duty reels with triple axle supports and solid ¼-in. plate bases for demanding applications and environments. But sometimes heavy duty or industrial duty is not enough for applications in mining, heavy equipment, lubrication, and other off-road industries with demanding remote environments and extreme conditions. Coxreels recently introduced a new addition […]

As a new editor of Fluid Power World, I’m granted the privilege of meeting people and attending industry events with fresh eyes. I’ve heard stories of this tight-knit fluid power community and how passionate everyone is about the industry. Though I arrive with an open mind and eagerness to learn, my expectations continue to shatter…

Piab has continued to evolve its piCOBOT program by adding a larger version, the piCOBOT L. Developed for customers who work with small industrial robots and cobots, its high payload and low building height enable maximum capacity usage. The piCOBOT family consists of two pump units and a selection of grippers. Optionally, a tool changer with […]

Sometimes, a small change can make a big difference. In this case, small means a 1 x 1 in. sticker that holds hydraulic cylinder nameplate information. Milwaukee Cylinder’s new self-adhesive Electronic Service Tag allows customers to download nameplate information, such as the serial number and cylinder properties, and request a seal kit or duplicate cylinder quote with a…

Forest machine manufacturer Ponsse is launching the new HH360 rotator, which lets the harvester head freely rotate 360° without limitations. The harvester head speeds up wood processing, makes the operator’s job easier, and reduces hose failures. The product was developed in close cooperation with hydraulic motor and rotator manufacturer Black Bruin, and Ponsse has exclusive […]

Danfoss Power Solutions has named Carina Christine Skovmøller as director of its Center for Sustainability, a newly created role. Based in Copenhagen, Skovmøller reports directly to Andreas Schumacher, senior director, Centers of Excellence. Skovmøller and her team will support the organization in its ESG (environmental, social, and governance) journey, focusing primarily on sustainability. She’ll be responsible…