By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In part 5 of this series covering hydraulic oil analysis, we move on to discuss acidity. As it pertains to hydraulic oil, we need to know the total amount of acidic substances found within the sample. Most commonly referred to as the Total Acid Number, or TAN for short, the […]
Why is your hydraulic cylinder moving slowly?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If your hydraulic cylinder is moving slowly and you’re reading this article, your cause is not likely a lazy operator. Your situation is obviously one where an expected performance isn’t being met, or there was a sudden and dramatic slowdown of your cylinder velocity. Diagnosing the cause of a cylinder…
Where and when should you use wire-reinforced hose?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses come in many sizes and designs, and the expression of each design is a result of the purpose of that hose. Generally, there are three common locations where a hose is used in a hydraulic system: suction lines, working lines and return lines. Each location has its own […]
4 key considerations when choosing electric motors and equipment
Contributed by Enrique Busquets • Director of Engineering Systems and Components, Bosch Rexroth Fueled by unceasing innovation, electric motors have solidified their position as a catalyst for change, reducing countries’ greenhouse gas emissions (ghg) and lowering total cost of ownership for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles and machinery. The accelerated adoption of electric motors has been […]
Why use point-of-use dryers with compressed air systems?
It is common to see the air in a complete plant dried by a desiccant dryer only to service one small end-use that is subject to freezing temperatures. The purge from a large desiccant dryer is much more costly than that of a small point-of-use dryer, which can be placed on the outdoor feed. The […]
Polyethylene versus nylon tubing — who wins the pressure war?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the bustling battlefield of pneumatic systems’ hose and tubing, two contenders stand ready for combat: polyethylene and nylon tubing. Armed with unique strengths and weaknesses, they prepare to face off in the high-pressure war, so let’s dive into this skirmish and see who emerges victorious. Round 1: The Durability […]
Gain an inside look into aircraft hydraulic systems
Understanding the intricacies of aircraft hydraulic systems provides insight into the engineering marvels that keep aircraft flying safely through varying conditions. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Aircraft hydraulic systems are a special breed of essential components in modern aviation, providing the power and control necessary for various functions that provide the safe and efficient flights…
Which pneumatic technology is best for linear motion applications?
In linear motion applications, pneumatics, servo pneumatics, and controlled pneumatics each deliver unique motion and force capabilities. Contributed by By Frank Langro, Director of Product Market Management, Pneumatic Automation, Festo Pneumatic linear actuators are fundamental for automation because of their low cost, ease of installation and operation, high yet compliant force, speed, compactness, safety in hazardous areas, […]
How to ensure proper hydraulic fitting assembly
Contributed by Gary Molton • BSc, Owner, Engineering Adventures Poor assembly or using the wrong type of fluid power fitting has been shown to increase risk of fluid leakage and industrial injury. Fitting designs have changed considerably over the last 30 years to reduce these risks but this has resulted in a myriad of assembly […]
Comparing electric versus hydraulic motors
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Comparing electrical with hydraulics is one of my favorite topics to write about. When you study both fields, you quickly realize how much the concepts, mathematics and symbology coincide. However, not all readers share my same enthusiasm for the analogy. Many years ago, one LinkedIn member commented that I was […]
When to use (or not use) BSPT fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re not terribly familiar with hydraulic fittings, you may think BSPT is a typo. Is it supposed to be BSPP (British Standard Pipe Parallel) or perhaps NPT (National Pipe Thread)? No, it’s not a typo – we’re actually talking about British Standard Pipe Taper, which is the version of […]
When should you use counterbalance valves?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Counterbalance valves are an ingenious invention used to control runaway loads caused by mass or gravity attempting to push or pull outside of intentional movement. There are many ways to control a load or prevent it from moving, such as flow control valves or pilot-operated check valves. However, a counterbalance […]
Hydraulic oil analysis part 4 — water’s impact
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In Part 4 of the hydraulic oil analysis series, we will tackle one of the most essential qualities of hydraulic oil you must test and understand. Particle contamination, for example, may take months or years to erode critical components to the point of failure, but water infiltrating your pumps, valves, […]
Increasing hydraulic efficiency outside of pump selection
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Let’s be clear that pump selection is the quickest way to increase hydraulic system efficiency, as one can easily improve your energy ROI by 15% or more simply by upgrading from a gear to a piston pump, for example. But pumps aren’t the only way to increase your efficiency, thereby…
How CAN makes mobile hydraulic control more reliable and precise
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the realm of mobile hydraulics, we must prioritize efficiency, reliability, and precision to remain competitive against other technologies. In many cases, hydraulic advancements come from partnerships with competing technologies, and one of the most important in recent years is Controller Area Network (can) networks. CAN networks revolutionize mobile hydraulics […]
What are the common hydraulic hose specification standards?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We tend to walk through life enjoying what seems to be infinite consumer and commercial goods without consideration for the vast technological achievements that led to their existence. Every new technology rides on the shoulders of a previous advancement in either materials, construction, technology, or process. Very little in our […]
Hydraulic oil analysis – measuring and controlling particle contamination
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Particle contamination is the proverbial lord of the contamination cartel. Particles get all the attention in this world, and rightfully so. Particle contamination-related failures likely outpace water, varnish and heat combined (yes, heat is a form of contamination). It would come as no surprise, then, that the primary driver of […]
Where are buffer seals used on hydraulic cylinders?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Sometimes, there’s a practical and propitious device that’s been around forever, only to be discovered by happenchance, yet it provides immense value and serendipity. I have been known to use hyperbole in my writing, and maybe so here. Still, if this article convinces just one reader to use this simple […]
How are hydraulics utilized in stadiums and large-scale events?
Contributed by Andy Harding, National Technical Sales Manager, Pirtek Hydraulics have been a vital component in stadia and events for several decades. From playing their part in elaborate stage designs at live music concerts to significant contributions to a stadium’s functionality and safety, the modern age of live sports and events would not be possible…
Where are air springs and actuators used in industrial systems?
When we delve into the realm of linear actuators used in industrial fluid power, our minds often gravitate towards the familiar, such as NFPA and mill-type for hydraulics, or compact round-line or extruded-aluminum body cylinders for pneumatics. These are the tried and tested construction styles. However, a lesser-known yet highly innovative player in this field […]
Hydraulic oil analysis – determining viscosity
Last month, we discussed how vital an oil analysis program is for the reliability of your hydraulically powered machinery. This article is the second in the series where I discuss the many important qualities a competent oil analysis lab can identify for you. Oil viscosity is a primary driver in the oil selection process and […]
What is the proper torque for hose assemblies?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When installing hydraulic hose assemblies, if tight is good, then tighter is better, right? To be sure a hydraulic hose never accidentally loosens during operation, should we get the biggest pry bar we can find to help lock that hose fitting in for good? Not precisely — torquing your hose […]
Wear rings get no respect in cylinder function
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When buying a cylinder repair kit, you generally expect to open a plastic bag filled with O-rings, rod seals, end seals and other synthetic rubber bits used to freshen up an old air or hydraulic cylinder. Often, we call such an assembly of parts a seal kit, which completely forsakes […]
How do three-way hydraulic valves work?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Three-way valves, common and versatile tools in fluid power, demonstrate their precision by effectively diverting, selecting, or mixing three flow paths as the circuit requires. These valves, available in lever or solenoid actuation, are widely used for directional control. Their construction style varies, ensuring suitability for diverse applications. The three-way…
12 tips for leakage prevention through proper sealing design and selection
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Seals used for fluid power applications are highly varied and specific to each component and application. From simply sealing pressurized air from atmospheric air for pneumatic valves to preventing hydraulic oil from leaking into waterways from the rudder cylinder on watercraft, there are few conditions in which a fluid power […]