By Ron Marshall Jeff had been a maintenance technician long enough to know that low-pressure complaints rarely arrived alone. When one operator reported sluggish pneumatic cylinders, others usually followed with complaints about weak air tools, slow actuators, and inconsistent machine performance. That was exactly what happened one Monday morning in the assembly area, where production […]
Type 625 volume booster provides faster response and stable valve control
ControlAir LLC has released its type 625 volume booster, a compact pneumatic relay designed to improve the speed and performance of pneumatic control valve actuators. These pressure regulation devices use pilot pressure rather than a spring or adjustment thread to provide force balance when opening the supply valve. Installed between a valve positioner and pneumatic […]
Yet another reason hydraulics is superior
If you’re tired of my missives about cars, this is your chance to click away. Conversely, if you enjoyed my article on enshittification (see our October issue and live link here), this example will make you pine for the good old days of automotive technology. “But Josh, what does hydraulics have to do with cars?…
Plant engineer learns why compressed air drying matters
By Ron Marshall, Contributing Editor Fred had been the plant engineer at the packaging facility for nearly ten years, and he thought he understood his compressed air system well. The compressors ran, the machines worked most of the time, and whenever there was a moisture problem someone usually changed a filter or drained a receiver […]
Profiles in Fluid Power: Rahul Deshmukh steers Alkon into the future
For the first time in its history, Alkon has tapped an outsider to lead the company. Fluid Power World’s Mary Gannon sat down with Alkon’s new CEO Rahul Deshmukh, to see where he will be focusing as he takes the helm at the company. Known for its pneumatic fittings, tubing, cylinders, and valves — for…
Learning a thing or two from the auto industry
If you’re a longtime reader, you know I’m a car guy. I love the look and smell of a hot rod, but I grew up on Japanese hot hatches and eventually developed a taste for the power and refinement of German luxury brands. I love discovering great new music while still keeping the soundtrack of…
AutomationDirect adds guided cylinders and pneumatic silencers
AutomationDirect has added Metal Work 12 mm dual guide rod cylinders to its guided actuator lineup for packaging, material handling and industrial automation applications. Available with stroke lengths from 10 mm to 250 mm, the double-acting cylinders include dual guide rods for stability, a magnetic piston for position sensing and integrated sensor slots for switch […]
IoT-ready sensor fundamentals
Sensors are not as talked about as some other Internet of Things technologies, despite their critical role within the Industry 4.0 community at large. Sensors are technologies in fluid power that read, interpret, and transmit data based on one or more criteria important to observe: pressure, temperature, flow, contamination, water saturation, and vibration, to name…
Actuator fundamentals: from ballscrews to cylinders
An actuator is any device that converts one form of energy into physical, linear force. From a fundamental definition of the word, one could assert that motors are also actuators, but from a practical perspective, the machine world agrees on the linear definition. The primary source of energy can be pressurized air or liquid, electricity,…
Donaldson reservoir headspace dryer controls moisure, extends fluid life
Donaldson Company Inc. has introduced the Donaldson Hy-Pro Reservoir Headspace Dryer. The Reservoir Headspace Dryer (RHD) removes free, emulsified, and dissolved water from hydraulic and lubrication fluids in their reservoirs by generating dry air and circulating it through the headspace. The process enables moisture to transfer from the oil to the dry air stream. The […]
O-ring failure modes in hydraulic systems: identification, root causes and prevention
Contributed by Xing Hong, Founder, WRKR Seal Hydraulic systems depend on reliable sealing at every connection point. When an O-ring fails in a hydraulic circuit, the consequences range from minor fluid weeping to catastrophic pressure loss, environmental contamination, and unplanned downtime that costs thousands of dollars per hour in heavy industry. Yet a significant share […]
Bladder accumulator fundamentals
Bladder accumulators are an industry-standard choice, as commonly available as D03 valves or NFPA-style hydraulic cylinders. Your outside sales team is always happy to see them in a factory, because everyone offers an option to either repair or replace them. The big names all make them (or bought companies that make them), but there are…
VERSA introduces C5 NAMUR lockout valve for reliable actuator isolation
Versa Products Company Inc. released the C5 NAMUR lockout valve, a compact, direct-mounted solution designed to provide positive actuator isolation during maintenance and shutdown procedures while delivering dependable performance in demanding industrial applications. Designed for direct mounting to pneumatic actuators, it can be mechanically locked in either the energized or de-energized position. When unlocked, the…
Festo simplifies decentralized I/O design with configurable digital I/O module
As automated machines become more capable, increasing amounts of decentralized I/O are needed. Conventional approaches often rely on multiple dedicated input and output modules, increasing hardware, commissioning, and additional components that machine builders and system integrators must engineer, stock, and support. Festo addresses this challenge with a new configurable digital I/O module for the CPX-AP-I […]
Fundamentals of tube bending for hydraulic power units
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ve been in the fluid power industry for over two decades, and I’ve made precisely one hydraulic tube, which was an assignment for one of my hydraulic classes at Mohawk College. Despite my personal lack of man-hours bending tubes, every hydraulic professional should understand the principles of tube bending. I’m […]
Making magic happen with variable-displacement pumps
Optimizing industrial systems can be done easily with variable-displacement axial piston pumps. As industrial manufacturers continue to focus on improving efficiency, controllability, and energy usage, variable-displacement axial piston pumps have become an increasingly important technology for optimizing hydraulic system performance. While the core technology has been established for decades, continued advancements in pump controls, variable…
Technology shmechmology
Some inventions are just so damn good that no matter how much AI and data centers you throw at bettering them, modern technology simply cannot replace the simple, legacy equipment we enjoy today. There will be no better method to close your pants than a zipper, nothing superior to an umbrella for a sudden shower,…
TIPCO expands gasket manufacturing capacity across U.S.
TIPCO Technologies, a provider of fluid conveyance, sealing solutions and industrial supply chain services, is expanding its gasket and sealing platform through investments in manufacturing equipment and regional production capabilities. The company has installed new gasket cutting equipment at its Glen Burnie, Maryland and Corpus Christi, Texas facilities. It is also expanding manufacturing capacity in […]
Suction cup adapter solution from Sommer-Technik
The combination of suction cups and matching adapters from Sommer-Technik creates a system which combines maximum flexibility with high performance. Whether in high-speed automation processes or when handling delicate workpieces, these components are designed to grip reliably, move safely, and position accurately. One key advantage lies in the variety of materials: from HighTemp HT to […]
Your compressor may not be the problem — but your data might be!
By Ron Marshall When a compressed air system struggles, the compressor usually gets blamed first. Pressure is dropping at the far end of the plant. Production tools are slowing down. Another compressor is running more often than expected. The energy bill is climbing. The first reaction of management is often predictable: “We need a bigger […]
Q&A with Domenico Traverso following Danfoss’ acquisition of Alfagomma
Last month, Danfoss finalized its acquisition of Italian hose and fittings manufacturer, Alfagomma. I sat down with Domenico Traverso, President, Fluid Conveyance, Danfoss Power Solutions, to learn what this means for both companies going forward and what customers will expect as the combined Alfagomma and the Danfoss Fluid Conveyance division would create a massive leader…
AutomationDirect adds Ashcroft T4 mechanical temperature switches
AutomationDirect now offers Ashcroft T4 series mechanical temperature switches which provide reliable temperature monitoring and control for demanding industrial applications. These rugged switches feature high 15A SPDT switch contacts that can directly control larger loads, reducing or eliminating the need for external contactors or interposing relays. The T4 series offers field-adjustable setpoints over a wide…
Why proactive hose inspection matters
Preventing downtime before it starts is crucial to safe, cost-effective and reliable hose assemblies. By Trey Travis, Vice President of Operations, Southeastern Hose In manufacturing environments, reliability is everything. Production schedules and worker safety all depend on systems operating as intended. While pumps and control systems often receive significant attention during maintenance planning, industrial hose […]
FRLs for compressed air prep and care
When a pneumatic system suffers a catastrophic failure, such as a blown seal, a ruptured airline, or a seized cylinder, the maintenance team must respond instantly to treat it. These unexpected ailments reduce productivity, increase costs, and work your millwrights ragged. Many pneumatic systems experience chronic unwellness, much as we humans do with cardiovascular disease; […]
Is your compressor room like a sauna?
Contributed by Ron Marshall Richard, the maintenance manager at a plant that manufactures powdered coatings, was used to dealing with heat. The curing ovens in the facility ran hot, and summer months always made the production floor uncomfortable. But one area of the plant seemed especially unbearable — the compressor room. Every time Richard stepped […]