Galland Henning Nopak, a manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic solutions, custom-designed cylinders, accumulators, and valves, has added an online catalog and CAD model configurator to their site. Built by CADENAS PARTsolutions, the new features include Nopak’s most popular fluid power solutions. The e-catalog and configurator will simplify the design and specification process for engineers by…
Ultra-compact pneumatic cylinder for small movements in tight spaces
Festo adds a new space-optimized product to its line of pneumatic cylinders ‒ the ultra-compact ADN-S – for performing small movements in tight quarters and, in so doing, helping machine designers keep their projects as space-efficient as possible. Festo took the ISO standard ADN double-acting cylinder and shrank the housing length to create a significantly […]
Troubleshooting Challenge: System overheating on drum pusher system
A scrap processing company has a large rotating drum that pushes scrap aluminum components into rotating hammers to pulverize the scrap parts into small pieces. They then press the scrap into large bales for easy shipping. The attached circuit is one of the hydraulic systems that runs three functions on the machine. They had problems…
Hydraulic cylinders keep moon rocket on track
Jacking and equalizing cylinders on NASA’s crawler transporter hold steady the massive launch vehicle. Contributed by Ingo Rühlicke, Head of Project and Export Depts., Walter Hunger GmbH and Co Kg Artemis I is the inaugural moon rocket mission in a program that aims to one day return astronauts to the lunar surface. Perhaps unnoticed, but…
What are pneumatic actuators?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic actuators take advantage of compressed air to provide your machine with quick and powerful actuation of nearly infinite possible functions. Pneumatic actuators may take the form of cylinders, motors, slides, grippers and rotary actuators, each of which receives pressurized and compressed air to create linear or rotational force. The […]
Easy-to-install pitch control in wind turbines
Pitch controls and pitch drives in wind turbines are used to reliably adjust the blade angle to the wind. They also guarantee the best possible energy yield from wind power and must work reliably over the entire service life of the plant. Current development trends show a continuous increase in pitch activity. At the same…
What are pneumatic rotary actuators?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Rotary actuators are devices used to transmit torque through a limited rotational arc. Rather than pneumatic motors, which rotate continuously, pneumatic rotary actuators move a load through a limited range of motion. Some actuators rotate through two discrete positions, while others are capable of positioning at any angle around the […]
Troubleshooting Challenge: System could only build pressure on one end of cylinder
This article was updated on November 10 with the solution to this challenge. By Robert J. Sheaf, Contributing Editor The advantage of using load-sense pumps is that they greatly reduce the pressure drop across flow control devices resulting in less heat buildup. The attached circuit is a good example of a simple cylinder circuit that…
Designing optimum pneumatic systems for food & beverage packaging
These tips not only adhere to food safety guidelines, but also serve to improve machine utilization and performance. By Steve Bain, Food and Beverage Industry Segment Manager, Festo Before describing the four pneumatic automation design tips for food and beverage packaging applications, it is a good idea to answer a fundamental question: Why apply pneumatic […]
Exclusive Q&A: Clippard and Compact Automation executives on the cylinder line sale
Last week, ITT’s Compact Automation announced that it has acquired Clippard Instrument Laboratories’ product lines of interchangeable pneumatic cylinders. The company said that the purchase will expand its offering of air cylinders, as well as linear and rotary actuators used in applications such as robotics, packaging, and automation. For Clippard, the sale was emotional, as…
ITT expands portfolio with acquisition of Clippard cylinder product line
ITT Inc. has announced it acquired Clippard Instrument Laboratories’ product lines of durable, low maintenance, and cost-competitive interchangeable pneumatic cylinders. The product lines include stainless steel, brass and aluminum cylinders and volume tanks. These industry-leading components will expand ITT’s Compact Automation product offering of air cylinders, linear and rotary actuators used in applications such as robotics,…
Bosch Rexroth introduces new CytroMotion self-contained actuator
Bosch Rexroth has expanded its range of standardized self-contained actuators by adding the CytroMotion system solution. With the help of the new compact actuator, linear movements involving forces of up to 110 kN can be achieved in a range of machines and systems in smaller spaces, more efficiently and more sustainably. These benefits can be…
Pneumatic systems: an introductory primer and actuator selection guide
Norgren pneumatics expert Dietmar Grün provides a thorough introduction to pneumatic systems, addressing application areas, core components, the critical role of pneumatic air preparation and treatment products and pneumatic actuators and key considerations for selecting pneumatic actuators. Contributed by Dietmar Grün, Product Manager, Motion Control, Actuator, Norgren Pneumatic systems harness the energy generated by the […]
Precision and control in hydraulics in oil & gas extraction
The extreme pressures and volatile environments in oil & gas require all that hydraulics has to offer — precise control and safety at high pressures. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I love the town of Ithaca in upstate New York. We discovered it years ago in a casual drive in and around the Finger Lakes.…
Hydraudyne relaunches as Van Halteren Technologies Boxtel
As first announced in September 2021, as of June 1, 2022, the Large Projects business of Bosch Rexroth in Boxtel (formerly known as Hydraudyne) has officially been taken over by Van Halteren Technologies, based in Bunschoten, the Netherlands. The new name is Van Halteren Technologies Boxtel. The activities remain unchanged — the development and production…
Is the time right for digital fluid power?
At last week’s 2022 Maha Fluid Power Conference at Purdue University, Chris Williamson of Danfoss presented Digital Fluid Power Systems: Challenges, Opportunities and “Critical Mass.” In his talk, he discussed some of the basics and offered his thoughts on the industry’s readiness for digital systems. Let’s start with the idea of critical mass, said Williamson.…
How important is bearing design for hydraulic cylinders?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Bearings are mechanical components designed to bear the load from a complimentary part, such as a shaft. Any shaft in fluid power subjected to loads perpendicular to the axis of movement requires a bearing. In most cylinder examples, one-piece bushings are best suited to support loads, offering exceptional surface area…
Festo introduces NFPA-compliant DSNB Actuator
Festo introduces the rugged, versatile, and economical DSNB actuator for NFPA mounting applications. The DSNB is ideal for sorting, stacking, insertion, loading, lifting, dispensing, clamping, and gate applications on converting machines. Customers can order the DSNB in 7 bore sizes, 11 variations, and 15 different NFPA mounting configurations, offering maximum flexibility and the advantage of […]
How to select the right interchangeable pneumatic actuator
Contributed by Troy Sanders | National Sales Manager | Fabco-Air When your operation calls for a pneumatic actuator, you’ll find a wide range of products available from various manufacturers. But because no two applications are alike, you must weigh several considerations before selecting and ordering an actuator. This article will discuss the different cylinder types […]
Troubleshooting Challenge: Rod gland keeps failing on a large bore cylinder
This article was updated May 8, 2022 with the solution to this challenge. By Robert J. Sheaf, Contributing Writer Troubleshooting Challenge is a new regular column in which Sheaf will highlight a situation where he was called to consult on a malfunctioning system or machine, provide a circuit to highlight the machine’s functions and ask…
Pneumatic cylinders with automatic mechanical end stroke locks
End Lock pneumatic cylinders from Camozzi Automation are fitted with automatic mechanical end stroke locks which guarantee the safe and secure holding of the cylinder rod in both the fully retracted and fully extended positions. The locks activate and release automatically, without the need for external signals or commands and cylinders Series 63 comply with […]
How can you prevent hydraulic cylinder drift?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Drift is the unintentional movement of a cylinder when it’s meant to be held in place by directional, PO check or counterbalance valves. The objective of many cylinder applications is to move a load to a predetermined position and maintain that position for various lengths of time. For example, a…
Where are single-acting pneumatic cylinders used?
By Frances Richards, contributor Pneumatic cylinders are a clean and cost-effective option for achieving reliable linear motion in many industrial environments. Because they are lighter weight and lower maintenance than their hydraulic and electric counterparts, they are an excellent choice in applications from factory automation and transportation to packaging and life sciences. Two main styles […]
Hydraulic “Infinite” cylinder upgrades timber logistics
The Hydraulic Infinite Linear Actuator offers a new way to generate mechanical linear motion. Contributed by Magnus Landberg, Landberg Solutions AB and Magnus Sethson, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden In the forestry industry, robust and power-dense hydraulics have long played an important role in successful and cost-effective operations. Today, there is also a trend towards larger timber […]
Reliable lifetime clamping
Bosch Rexroth’s new Subsea Clamping Cylinder protects valuable offshore systems against premature wear, without requiring diving work or a power supply. The device takes into account the complete life cycle of riser systems, whether for transport and storage on the seabed, commissioning and reliable use, or removal and reuse. The Subsea Clamping Cylinder for fully…