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 […]
Creating a compressed air leak management plan
Measuring and repairing compressed air leaks can easily reduce energy costs by 10 to 20%. Compressed air is used in factories all over the world to control machines, processes, and pneumatic equipment. It is a safe and easily available medium and can be used in all possible places via hoses and pipes. However, compressed air […]
A primer on hydraulic hose bend radius
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hose bend radius, quite simply, describes how tightly circular a hydraulic hose can bend. More importantly, designers and technicians wish to know the minimum bend radius a hose handles while maintaining integrity. Although one might easily force a hose into a tight radius during installation, its design and construction […]
What is burst pressure for hydraulic hose?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are designed to withstand much higher pressure than expected during regular operations, which everyone will agree is good. Should your machine’s working pressure fall within a typical 3,000 psi, you’d be little comforted by a hose designed to burst at 3,100 psi. The slightest pressure spike would lead […]
A primer on hydraulic oil analysis
This article is the first in our series on hydraulic oil analysis programs. Hydraulic oil is the lifeblood of your hydraulic system, circulating primarily as a power transmission medium but also acting to lubricate, cool, seal and help remove contamination. Without oil, your hydraulic system is just a comatose pneumatic system, lying lifeless with no […]
When should you use hydrostatic pumps?
The term hydrostatic refers to the fundamental concept we hold dear in fluid power, which is that confined hydraulic fluid under pressure exists in equilibrium and balance. Although hydraulic fluid does no more than hold objects stationary without the active application of force through a pumping device, the concept is entirely different than hydrodynamics, which […]
Industrial hydraulic maintenance tips
Spring is around the corner, although if you’re located near the Great Lakes, you might need convincing that winter ever came this year at all. Regardless, the page on my desktop calendar is March, which makes a perfect time to schedule a spring maintenance session for your industrial hydraulic equipment. Even if you enjoy a…
Is it possible to max out pressure?
I’ve written much about pressure lately, discussing subjects such as the upper reasonable limits in hydraulics to shockingly high-pressure fuel injection systems. Regarding current or conceivable limits, I see no reason we can’t exceed 7,000 bar with commercially available machinery, such as water jet cutters. For the sake of simplicity and lower digits, I’m expressing…
7 signs your hydraulic valve has failed
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are very few hydraulic systems operating without directional valves, and aside from modern technologies that can make do with a servo-driven pump and a single actuator, you’ll be hard-pressed to think of a way to control actuators without them. They are responsible for managing the flow and direction of…
Distributed electro-pneumatics streamline equipment designs
Machinery builders and OEMs save space and improve functionality by applying electro-pneumatic I/O and solenoid systems throughout their equipment. By: Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect For machine builders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) alike, there is an increasing push to deliver smarter, more modular, and physically compact systems. Among the many design choices required to make this […]
Safety tips for connecting and disconnecting hydraulic hose
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are crucial in various fluid power industries, helping power heavy machinery and equipment by providing the very conduit through which hydraulic fluid flows. The integrity of these systems relies heavily on the proper connection and disconnection of hydraulic hoses, as mishandling hydraulic hoses can lead to severe accidents […]
Where are hydraulics used in aviation?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the dynamic and intricate world of aviation, where precision and reliability are paramount, hydraulics plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of various aircraft systems. Hydraulics, the science of transmitting force through liquids, finds extensive application in aviation due to its ability to generate powerful and controlled…
A primer on when to use pneumatic vacuum pumps
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Vacuum technology is the quintessential method for safe and careful material handling in various industries, from packaging to glass manufacturing. Vacuum cups and pads are gentle and soft, lifting even the largest material while barely contacting the surface. By creating a vacuum inside the cup, the pressure differential draws the […]
Is the sequence valve obsolete?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We don’t hear much anymore regarding sequence valves, and probably for good reason. A sequence valve is like a self-regulating inline relay that opens when work pressure overrides the spring setting. It’s a form of hydraulic automation that provides sequential operation for two or more functions using one fluid supply…
What is a lubricated compressor banana curve?
If you are carefully selecting your new compressors by looking at Compressed Air & Gas (CAGI) data sheets, you should be commended. Use of these sheets are a great way to compare compressor energy and flow characteristics between brands of compressors. In this way, you can choose the most efficient machine for your use and […]
What is the difference between industrial and hydraulic hose?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Technically speaking, hydraulic hose is often also industrial hose, but for the sake of this article, I will define what makes them different in both construction and application. We could call out industrial hose for its use in mobile machinery as well, although I’m not here to make beef, so […]