By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Here at Higginson Equipment, we produce a line of cylinders for the dump truck industry known as EconoMAX. On any given year, we produce between 7,000 and 8,000 of these for tailgate latch, air tarp systems, and tailgate high-lift applications. Each cylinder contains a T-seal for the piston, two end […]
How to optimize space in mobile hydraulics
Contributed by Hallie Riley & Victoria Lower • IC Fluid Power When you step onto the floor of an industrial plant, the vast scale and constant hum of activity are undeniable. Massive hydraulic presses and intricate pipework stretch across the floor with the kind of freedom this scale allows. Space is abundant and equipment can […]
Engineering.com podcast: why hydraulics are still relevant
This week, Fluid Power World’s Editor-in-Chief, Mary Gannon, joined Engineering.com’s Jim Anderton to have a candid discussion about fluid power — why it’s still relevant and where it’s headed in the future. Anderton worked with hydraulics of the past and remembered it as leaky and dirty, but Gannon discusses modern efficiency news as well as…
Contamination: still the biggest problem for fluid power systems
Industrial systems, whether pneumatic or hydraulic, must prevent a variety of contamination sources to run reliably. By: Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Fluid power systems experience many problems. Poor designs, inferior quality components, maintenance neglect, severe climate, and operator error can all inflict trouble on your innocent machine. However, most of these problems are rare cases…
Outlining processes ensures skills are understood, step-by-step
Editor’s note: In this multi-part series, Devin Purcell continues to tackle the skills shortage that the fluid power industry is facing and offer creative solutions to address this challenge. See part 1 and part 2 here. Contributed by Devin Purcell • Technical Trainer If you have been following this series over the last few months,…
Compressed air fail: Big/small comparison
During an audit, a compressed air professional noticed an interesting characteristic. While a 300-hp compressor was used to supply an average of 800 cfm during production activity, he noticed the compressed air flow to the plant fell to about 130 cfm during non-production times on weekends. He also noticed that the plant had a 75-hp […]
Safety valves ensure hydraulic functional safety
Contributed by Mattia Monteggia, Technical Sales Engineer & Area Manager, Atos Machine safety is crucial for fluid power systems, as anytime you are dealing with highly pressurized fluids you must take extra special care. To this end, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC outlines the safety requirements for machinery and equipment in the European Union. The directive…
When should you use brass fluid power fitting materials?
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a multi-part series on materials used in fluid power fittings. We will cover carbon steel, stainless steel, brass and plastic. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Brass is an alloy primarily made of copper and zinc, and depending on the formulation, it may also contain small amounts of lead […]
Harvesting reliable machinery in farming
Agricultural machinery is up against a variety of harsh environmental conditions, so proper protection of the hydraulic systems is necessary. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The agricultural industry is unique in many ways, not the least of which is the source of nourishment for billions of people, which is not something mining or forestry can […]
Compressed air fail: Heat wasted
In cold climates, compressor rooms that draw 100% outside air for ventilation face a challenge: how do you prevent freezing temperatures from damaging equipment? The common solution is to install electric heaters. But while it seems simple, relying on electric resistance heating to temper a compressor room is often a costly mistake — especially when […]
Where do I mount my hydraulic pump?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Where you mount your power unit’s hydraulic pump plays a role in performance, reliability, price and real estate. Some configurations are effective for performance but challenging to maintain, while others ensure reliability while taking up acres of floor space. This guide will help you decide what method to mount your…
What is compressed air heat recovery?
By Ron Marshall If you’re running air compressors in your facility, you might be sitting on a gold mine of wasted energy — literally. Up to 94% of the electrical energy used by an air compressor is converted into heat. The good news? Most of that heat is recoverable. The better news? You can turn […]
A primer on hose fittings materials
By: Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Editor’s Note: This is the first in a multi-part series on materials used in fluid power hose fittings. We will cover carbon steel, stainless steel, brass and plastic. Fittings and adapters used in fluid power are manufactured using various materials selected by designers to suit the specific needs of the […]
Where are strain gauges used in fluid power?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Most of the articles I write are assigned to me by super-editor Mary Gannon, and this article on strain gauges is no different. Oddly enough, I helped our Amtec Hydraclamp division technician assemble and test high-pressure spring clamps just yesterday, which we tested using a strain gauge. These clamps are…
हाइड्रोलिक प्रतीक विज्ञान 304 – कंडीशनिंग और मॉनिटरिंग
हाइड्रोलिक प्रतीकों का उपयोग एक पूरी हाइड्रोलिक प्रणाली के कामकाज को विस्तार से समझाने में आपकी सहायता के लिए व्यापक रूप से किया जाना चाहिए। हाइड्रोलिक मशीनें केवल पंप, वाल्व और एक्चुएटर्स तक ही सीमित नहीं होतीं, भले ही ये अक्सर मुख्य घटक होते हैं। लेकिन यदि इन्हें उपयुक्त कंडीशनिंग और मॉनिटरिंग उपकरण न मिलें,…
What types of high-pressure vane pumps are available?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When someone mentions a high-pressure hydraulic pump, the vane pump is not likely to come to mind. Vane pumps are often limited to 2,000 psi or less because of the physical limitations of their inherent design. Vanes must reciprocate inside slots while pushing on the cam ring, and when fully […]
Hydraulics help mobile cranes soar — safely
Hydraulics are predominantly used in most mobile crane designs, from the cylinders for lifting, to valves for holding, and more. By: Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We’ve all seen those crane yards when driving along highways near towns and cities. You know, the ones with their booms reaching high into the sky, proudly advertising the location […]
QCC keeps machines running sustainably
In a world of cutting emissions and designing sustainable machines, it’s often the shiny new innovations that get all the headlines. But one aspect of fluid power that’s often overlooked is its part in the circular economy. Legacy components still have a place in the mobile and industrial machines that may be running for decades.…
Keeping it clean in food & beverage with pneumatics technologies
Pneumatics technologies offer the clean designs and reliable operation required in food and beverage processing. By: Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The food & beverage industry is unique in many ways, not the least of which is the obvious observation that it’s the only industry providing us with the nourishment for life. Unless you’re living off […]
Cylinders: the power behind automotive manufacturing
Hydraulic — and even pneumatic — cylinders are used massively throughout auto manufacturing, providing the power, precision and durability needed. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re (un)lucky enough to sell and service hydraulics in the automotive manufacturing industry, you understand life in the belly of the beast. The automotive manufacturing industry is not for…
Compressed air fail: Blowing
A company producing vinyl siding was using a lower pressure blower to blow water off the product as it came out of its production machine. But the blower failed, and the staff quickly rigged up some compressed air nozzles consuming about 50 cfm. An air auditor noticed this misuse and flagged it as an inappropriate […]
What’s the difference between seamless and welded hydraulic tubing?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are two major players in the hydraulic tubing game, and depending on who you ask, there might be two and a half, but I’ll get to that later. If you’re like me, you’ve heard of both seamless and welded tubes yet had no idea what made them different. Hopefully, […]
How should you store hydraulic hose?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Proper storage of your training and test stand hydraulic hose is crucial to maintaining its performance and longevity. Neglecting best practices can lead to premature hose failure, inconvenient leaks, and even safety risks. This article outlines the key considerations and recommendations for storing hydraulic hoses effectively. Because hydraulic hoses are […]
Avoid hydraulic system downtime with better critical spare management
Contributed by Joe Jelinek • Connector Sales Director at MCE Automation Premature failure of your equipment’s hydraulic system poses significant risks to the oil and gas industry — including unplanned downtime, costly repairs, environmental hazards, and compromised worker safety. Avoid costly downtime with prevention tips and guidance on managing critical spares. Oil rigs and fracking…
How do you check for hydraulic leaks?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pretty much the only time it’s easy to check for hydraulic leaks is when the power unit and machine are spanking new. The pristine, glossy epoxy paint used on power units makes an excellent canvas for the soft amber sheen of hydraulic oil. And to be fair, testing and startup […]