Components Oil Coolers

By Ron Marshall The short answer is “as cool as possible, but not below freezing.” The practical answer is uncomfortably cool, in the range of 50° to 60° F. Keeping the temperature low reduces the amount of condensed moisture in the discharge air and makes things easier for the air dryer. Compressors generate significant heat […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor As the last article in the series on laboratory-based hydraulic oil analyses, we thought we’d provide a single article to recap the tests in one convenient location. For the past six months we’ve discussed just as many topics important to your predictive maintenance program. Each one of these parameters is […]

A compressed air auditor was performing his work at a large mining operation. He and the site electrician were opening up the various machine electrical panels to enable power factor testing. Within seconds of opening one compressor panel, the electrician jumped back with fright and informed the auditor he was going to be a while. […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulics is a venerable technology as mature as any competing force transfer system outside of straight mechanical conveyance. Most recent hydraulic advancements aren’t from any fundamental changes in the pump, valves and actuators used in hydraulic systems but rather from the implementation of increasingly advanced electronic technology. Early fluid power […]

When working with desiccant-style compressed air dryers, there are several factors to consider, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Desiccant dryers rely on two towers filled with desiccant material that alternately dry the air and regenerate, to maintain continuous operation. The regenerative purge is essential to removing the moisture collected by the desiccant, but it […]

Preparing an industrial compressed air system for cold winter conditions is essential to ensure reliable operation, prevent equipment failures, and avoid costly downtime. Cold weather introduces unique challenges, such as moisture buildup, freezing, and increased system stress — all of which must be addressed to keep the system running efficiently. Proactive preparation can safeguard your […]

When performing leakage detection on your compressed air system with your ultrasonic leak detector (if you don’t have one, good grief, run out and get one!), you will run across various leaks in piping and equipment. Many of these are small, so roughly less than $100 value per year. But quite often, you will find […]

When specifying belly box remote controls for mobile hydraulic machines, considering all the possible factors improves both operational efficiency and user safety. Belly box remote controls, often used in crane trucks, stone slingers, and other mobile hydraulic systems, provide the operator with wireless control over the machinery from a safe distance with often improved sightlines. […]

Leybold’s new Duradry is a dry screw vacuum pump designed for medium-harsh industrial production processes where high temperatures, high oxygen contents and corrosive conditions prevail. Its features make it suitable for applications like crystal pulling, plasma cleaning, heat treatment, coating and battery production. “The pump’s main advantages are its ease of operation and low maintenance […]

Last week, Festo introduced its Controlled Pneumatics, a digital closed-loop control strategy for delivering energy efficiency, high dynamic response, and precision movement. Controlled Pneumatics is a suitable solution for web tensioning; welding; surface processing; flexible gripping, including vacuum gripping; dispensing and pumping; PET bottle blowing; and diaphragm pump control. See a technical overview on how […]

Following its introduction in 2022, the heavy-duty yet compact Webtec CTA series flow monitor for hydraulic systems now features a 4-20 mA output. While this device can already monitor and transmit oil flow and temperature data via a J1939 CAN-bus interface, the addition of a 4-20 mA (3-wire loop) analog output for flow reporting facilitates […]

Danfoss Power Solutions has launched its Editron EM-PMI375 690-V electric motor. Based on synchronous reluctance assisted permanent magnet technology, the EM-PMI375 functions as both a motor and a generator. It is designed to work with the Editron EC-C1700B inverter, offering a system solution for 690-Vac and 1,050-Vdc applications such as winches, cranes, marine vessels, and […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are three ways to plumb a hydraulic system — rigid systems, flexible systems or a combination of the two. Rigid systems include pipe and various forms of tube, while flexible systems are assembled using only hydraulic hose. Most machines today are created using a combination of fixed plumbing, where […]

Continental today announced the X-LifeTM XCP5 hose, a new flexible braided hose for high-pressure hydraulic applications requiring extra abrasion resistance. The hose is part of the company’s initiative to offer a premium braided hose portfolio that is also ISO 18752 compliant. The new X-Life XCP5 is designed as a premium hose with braided construction for […]

Do you know how much air your compressed air system is consuming? How about the level of waste during non-production? If you don’t, it may be time to purchase a flowmeter to find out the answers to these questions. Recently during a leak assessment, a compressed air auditor was surprised to see 46 cfm flowing […]

Piab has launched its new piGRIP FLC interface that expands the usability of all existing Piab suction cups. “Regardless of application, this product helps handling height differences and off-angle-picking in a simplified yet sophisticated waym,” said Lennart Ryberg, Product Manager of Piab Vacuum Automation Division. FLC stands for ‘Flexible Level Compensator’ and is designed to […]

Festo introduces an innovative suite of safety products, including its new CIP safety module, that ensures the safe operation of pneumatic systems and lowers the risk of injury and system and product damage.  Festo pneumatic safety solutions are compatible with the top industrial Ethernet protocols – EtherNET/IP, PROFITNET, and EtherCAT – which gives them near […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Although a hydraulic machine could run off highly crude forms of hydrocarbons, without a complement of additives, the performance and longevity of your hydraulic machine would suffer. Welcome to Part Seven of the Hydraulic Oil Analysis series, where we dig deep into the various additives that are always or usually […]

Norstat now offers the P.Trace, an industrial pressure transducer with a high degree of accuracy and short response time that is suitable for a wide range of applications. The P.Trace industrial pressure transducer from M-P Sensors is an ultra-compact, stainless steel transducer that has the unique ability to measure liquid, gaseous or viscous fluids from…

Danfoss Power Solutions today announced the launch of its PLUS+1 Autonomous Control Library (ACL) 3.2 software for off-highway machinery. PLUS+1 ACL 3.2 consists of new and updated blocks that enhance machine self-guidance capabilities through improved obstacle and hazard detection and environmental landmark identification. Danfoss PLUS+1 ACL software comprises preprogrammed and pretested software blocks covering areas […]

The typical piping installed in industrial plants and shops is made of steel, and as a result may be subject to rusting and contamination. Fig. 1 and 2 show what was found at a heavy industrial plant with the air compressors taking in polluted air. Rusting and contamination in compressed air system piping can lead […]

Danfoss Power Solutions launched its Editron EM-PMI540B electric motor. Based on synchronous reluctance assisted permanent magnet technology, the EM-PMI540B functions as both a motor and a generator. Designed for electric or hybrid drivetrains in demanding applications, such as off-highway machinery and marine vessels, it offers high efficiency, non-stop continuous power, and a high operational altitude. […]

Festo has expanded its vacuum generation solutions to include for the first time a multistage generator and a multistage cartridge. These new vacuum components offer exceptional performance on porous materials, such as paper and corrugated board. The OVPN multistage vacuum generator and the OASP vacuum generator cartridge are ideal for such applications as overhead palletizing, […]

Norway has a long tradition of catching and processing fish. The country ranks second in the world for exports behind China. To ensure the high quality of their freshly caught products, Norwegians pay particular attention to an unbroken cold chain. One company that contributes to a high level of food safety is Atlantic Styro. Based […]

Festo introduced the new VTUX flagship valve terminal, which can serve as I/O, remote I/O, and decentralized I/O. These compact and rugged IP65/67-rated terminals can be located anywhere on a machine that boosts operational performance and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation productivity. VTUX modularity results in less inventory and lower overhead costs. VTUX is both […]