It’s the age of the digital centaur — are you on board? At last week’s NFPA IEOC, one of the most interesting presentations was not an economic talk at all. Instead, “Technology Frontiers” by Scott Klososky, a renowned futurist, delved into the popular (and somewhat controversial) topic of AI. Less than a year ago, AI…

Staying relevant through times of change Welcome to the 12th edition of the Fluid Power Handbook. This year, we’ve rewritten several articles, including those on hydraulic hose, fittings and couplings, hydraulic motors, and more. We’ve also added new technical sidebars with frequently asked questions, sizing, and specification tips in every category as we are continually…

Fluid power is at its best when experienced first-hand Earlier this year, both my middle school daughters had opportunities to see fluid power in action — and build their own devices powered by it. It was truly an eye-opening experience for them, and they were excited to be enmeshed in my world in a tiny…

IFPE is proof positive that our industry is flourishing My big takeaway after 2-½ days on the IFPE show floor (plus a couple of hours on the CONEXPO-CON/AGG lots), was simply, WOW. The energy and vibe that lived in the South Hall last month was electric (pun intended, with all the talk about mobile electrification).…

Keeping pace with the innovators As we gear up for IFPE 2023 and all that comes with it, it’s good to know we’ll still be riding a positive wave throughout this year. Although many economists have warned of a softening in the fluid power market, so far that softening has been just that — soft.…

Leading in a changing industry As we prepare to head to Las Vegas in March for IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG, it’s clear to see we’re at a crossroads in our industry. Mobile electrification, digitalization, and autonomy are all changing the way mobile machinery is controlled and powered. Fluid power needs to be there leading these changes.…

The future is sustainable and it’s here to stay Last month, organizers for CONEXPOCON/ AGG and IFPE announced that a key focus of the 2023 events will be on next levels of sustainability in construction, highlighting the many aspects of the shows designed to ensure a sustainable future. This is a reflection of an industry…

Robots, cobots, pneumatics, and the future At the National Fluid Power Association’s recent International Economic Outlook Conference, Donna Ritson of DDR Communications shared results of an industry survey done for PMMI that looks at the future of robots and cobots for automation. Ritson’s firm had discussions with the leading robot manufacturers, robot suppliers, and integrators…

Bidding a sad farewell to a friend and legend It was a sad day on June 22, when word came from the Milwaukee School of Engineering that Tom Wanke, CFPE, director of the Fluid Power Industrial Consortium and Industry Relations, had passed away unexpectedly the day before. As a young editor at the beginning of…

Always growing, always educating Welcome to the 11th edition of the fluid power handbook. This year, we’ve incorporated new content on pneumatic actuators, hydraulic valves, hose and more. We’ve also added new technical sidebars with frequently asked questions, sizing and specification tips and more. Fluid power systems are comprised of components that include pumps, cylinders,…

Are hydrogen fuel cells the future for mobile machines? Prioritizing decarbonization is, without doubt, one that most countries agree with almost pure unanimity. Here, in the U.S., the Biden administration has a goal to eliminate carbons from the electric grid system by 2035. Globally, most countries are on similar timelines. But, looking ahead to 2050,…

Ensuring an engaged, educated fluid power workforce Since the pandemic started, there has been many a cry about the skilled worker shortage in industrial manufacturing and engineering. To be fair, as the Baby Boomer generation has come closer and closer to retirement in full, there has already been great concern over who will take over…

Getting back to in-person with FPTC 2022 If there’s one thing I’ve always said about fluid power, it’s that I love the people I work with daily, both in my own circle of employment but also within the companies I cover on a regular basis. In 17 years writing about hydraulics and pneumatics, I’ve had…

A refreshing — and useful — change I’m the first to admit I struggle with change. When something works and it’s already good, I become frustrated when the powers that be feel the need to change things. But change can be welcome. Change that will help others is never a bad thing. But changing just…

When the manufacturing workforce has the upper hand This past August in suburban Chicago, John Manzella, of the Manzella Report, spoke on “Labor, International Trade, and What’s Ahead” at the annual NFPA International Economic Outlook Conference. One of the issues he touched on was the current labor shortage. He explained that we have job openings…

Getting smaller and bigger all at once Lately, it seems a month doesn’t go by where I’m not receiving some news about a merger and acquisition in the industry. Sometimes, it’s one small distributor or repair shop acquiring another to expand their reach. And others, it is the big players getting even bigger. Unless you’ve…

10 YEARS OF FLUID POWER KNOWLEDGE Welcome to the tenth edition of the Fluid Power Handbook. It’s exciting to be part of this milestone, as we continue to update our information on hydraulic and pneumatic components and systems. This year, we’ve incorporated more technical sidebars with frequently asked questions, sizing and specification tips and looks…

Strength ahead, but still some uncertainty Over the last few months, I’ve chatted with several fluid power manufacturers who have stated that their business is busier than normal in any type of recovery mode. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation, where every employee is pitching in and hiring has become a challenge. These were all just passing…

Passing the baton after a fulfilling career As I retire from my career in fluid power media, I want to thank all of the people who have made my career possible. That includes managers, coworkers, and customers. It has been a great run of over 43 years and I feel very fortunate to have had…

Are we on the road to deglobalization? I wrote back in June of 2020, as the country was still reopening in many places, how many manufacturers’ confidence in the global economy had been shaken. Our supply chains had been greatly tested — and we quickly realized how reliance on China was impacting our ability to…

Getting back to in-person? After nine months of Zoom events and virtual meetings, associations seem to be gearing up for a 2021 that may see a return to in-person conferences. With vaccines on the horizon for citizens in the United States, I’m hopeful that this can be accomplished safely. The value we receive from meeting…

We need to do better for our future This year has given us plenty of opportunities to look inward and study who we are and how we treat people. We have been dismayed by the inequality we’ve seen over the years, culminating this summer with multiple protests. From what I’ve heard, most businesses and organizations…

We’re shut down — not broken — and that’s a good thing As he does every year, Alan Beaulieau, President of ITR Economics kicked off The NFPA Industry & Economic Outlook Conference on August 11 — a little differently than his usual dry humor from the stage, but still with his similar upbeat attitude. The…

Keeping You Informed Welcome to the ninth edition of the Fluid Power Handbook. Each year, our editorial staff works hard to add to the detailed information we’ve already accumulated on hydraulic and pneumatic components and systems. Once again this year, we’ve incorporated several new frequently asked questions into many of the Handbook sections, dealing with…

The changing global economy in pandemic times In speaking to a few different fluid power manufacturers recently, one theme seems to run true for many — this COVID-19 pandemic has rattled confidence in the global economy and reliance on far-fetched supply chains may be decreased. Reshoring is a term anyone in the industrial world already…