Hydraulic technology has been helping people work for thousands of years in its various forms. Early use of water to power our world saw the discovery of the watermill, using the hydrodynamic properties of water to turn a water wheel. Water-powered technology offers methods to increase our capacity to process anything from flour or paper…
How do you select pneumatic hose and tubing?
Imagine you’re in charge of automating a factory or warehouse. You need to move products quickly and efficiently from one point to another and consider pneumatics as a solution. Pneumatic systems need plumbing, lots of it. The most popular plumbing conduit for air systems is synthetic plastic or rubber tubing or hose. However, with so […]
Do special hydraulic fluids require special filters?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic systems play a critical role in various industries, powering heavy machinery and equipment with precision and efficiency. The performance and longevity of these systems heavily rely on the cleanliness and quality of the hydraulic fluid. Contamination in hydraulic fluid can cause significant damage to the system, resulting in reduced […]
How to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness outside of filtration
Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is crucial for hydraulic systems’ reliable operation and longevity. However, while filtration is critical in keeping hydraulic fluid clean, it is not the only factor that impacts fluid cleanliness. This article will discuss some tips to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness aside from the obvious filtration itself. One of the most important steps […]
How can metric fittings provide hydraulic system leak protection?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We use metric fittings to connect and seal hydraulic valves, pumps or actuators to their respective plumbing in a metric-based circuit. They prevent leaks in hydraulic systems by providing a leak-free seal at the component’s fluid port. There are several types of metric fittings, including compression fittings, flare fittings, bite-type […]
What are the different standards for metric hydraulic fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Several standards for metric hydraulic fittings exist, including DIN 2353, ISO 8434-1, ISO 6149-1, and BS EN ISO 12151-2. Each of these standards has its unique features and specifications, which are essential to know. They ensure that the fittings used in hydraulic systems meet the required standards and are compatible […]
How do you install metric fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are no secrets here, but installing metric hydraulic fittings depends on the type of fitting being used. You will need several tools to install them. Generally, you will need various wrenches, a hose cutter (if you’re making metric hose assemblies), a deburring tool, and, in some cases, thread sealant. […]
What are the least common symptoms of contamination?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic oil contamination may cause significant damage to hydraulic systems and components, leading to reduced performance and productivity and increased maintenance and repair costs. Therefore, it’s crucial that you identify the symptoms of hydraulic oil contamination to prevent further damage and ensure optimal hydraulic system operation. Regular readers know how […]
What are metric hydraulic fittings and how do you specify them?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I vividly remember visiting my stepfather’s auto shop as a kid, where he’d worked on what was primarily American iron. Being the 80s, most vehicles were American-made, so his familiarity with imperial nuts, bolts and tools was understandable. When Japanese cars permeated the market, he was ill-prepared in both knowledge […]
Making sense of hydraulic manifold mazes
Learn how three manifold designs — the common hydraulic integrated circuit, stackable bar designs, and simple passageways for pressure or return — are manufactured for hydraulic designs. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When discussing manifolds, your mind will go to one of two places — bar manifolds with sandwich valves mounted atop or integrated circuits with a…
How do you select pneumatic cylinder seals?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Although pneumatic cylinders operate in many conditions, their capacity to withstand the pitfalls of those conditions often comes down to the chosen sealing technology. The performance and longevity of pneumatic cylinders depend on the quality of their seals. A seal’s primary purpose is to contain the compressed air within the […]
Why do hydraulic valves fail?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor No matter how well engineered or manufactured, no product has infinite reliability, including hydraulic valves. Valves are critical components in hydraulic systems, responsible for controlling the flow, direction, and pressure of the hydraulic fluid circulating to transmit work. When a valve fails, it can cause system downtime, decreased productivity, and […]
What impacts hydraulic hose life?
Hydraulic hoses are critical components of any hydraulic system, and their lifespan is essential for the system’s efficiency and longevity. Several factors impact hydraulic hose life, from environmental conditions to maintenance practices. If you heed the tips below, you can enjoy long life from your hoses. One of the most critical factors impacting hydraulic hose […]
How can you prevent pneumatic tube failure?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic systems are common in various industries, including automation, food & beverage, and packaging. They’re preferred over other systems for their simplicity, efficiency, cleanliness and versatility. Pneumatic systems rely on hoses to transport compressed air from the compressor to the devices that use it. There are many types of hose, […]
How do you repair pneumatic cylinders?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ve seen many pneumatic cylinders in my fifteen years in fluid power. From pancake to ISO and from NFPA to compact round line, there are as many types of air cylinders as there are applications for them. With so many cylinders and ways to use them, there are many ways […]
Why do pneumatic cylinders fail?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor It would be easy to assume all cylinders fail in the same fashion — that hydraulic cylinders bypass and air cylinders experience bent rods. However, it’s a false assumption because the nature of their operation and intended application differ. Sure, a hydraulic cylinder can bypass but not as easily as […]
Preventing noise and vibration in industrial hydraulic systems
Learn how to reduce the damaging side effects of noise and vibration caused by hydraulic power units in industrial settings. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There’s nothing quite like the high-pitched racket emitting from a hydraulic power unit. The combination of noises originates primarily at the hydraulic pump, but secondary harmonics and reverberations contribute to…
Six simple ways to improve your compressed air system
By Ron Marshall Compressed air is one of the most expensive ways to supply energy to facility tools and equipment. This is due to the inherent inefficiencies in the process of compressing air — the biggest product is heat and the secondary output is compressed air. While this is disappointing, there are still things that […]
When should you use O-ring fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Some objects are universal by their very nature, mattering not where you reside or if you’re part of a colonial legacy. No matter where you travel, a wheel is a wheel because it’s so absolutely perfect for the job that it leaves any other method of moving heavy objects obsolete. […]
5 reasons why hydraulic drive service matters
Risks versus rewards of complete hydraulic drive maintenance practices Contributed by Timothy McCrea, market segment manager, aftermarket, pulp & paper, Hägglunds – Bosch Rexroth Corp. Hydraulic direct drive systems are a crucial part of industrial recycling operations. Engineered for reliable performance under demanding conditions, recyclers and other users of these systems will sometimes postpone critical…
How are encoders used in hydraulic actuators?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Encoders are electronic devices manufactured to relay movement and position. For example, for fluid power applications, the decoder relays an electronic signal to a PLC or other electronic device for the positional measurement of hydraulic cylinders or motors. In most cases, encoders use a light shone through a coded plate […]
How do you adjust dew point on air dryers?
Question: I need your advice about how to adjust the dew point for the dryers which are equipped with a dew point controller. Also, for those not having a controller, how can we determine which dew point is the best setting — -40 or -70? Answer: This is a complicated question. The method for adjusting […]
Why should you use return filters in your hydraulic system?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The venerable return filter is just as crucial to your hydraulic system as your kidneys are to your body. Could your hydraulic system survive with no return line filter? Sure, I suppose in the same way you could survive without kidneys if you strapped on the dialysis machine for five […]
How to prevent case drain failure
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Most variable displacement hydraulic pumps create and use internal leakage. The leakage is a function of the pump, designed from the factory to lubricate wear components, provide hydrostatic bearing pressure and offer pilot energy to critical functions like pressure compensators. Without controlled leakage, a variable pump would stop working at…
Why modern equipment can benefit from higher-performance hydraulic fluids
Today’s hydraulic fluids are forced to operate in hotter environments. But the right formulation can help reliably moderate temperatures, creating significant operational benefits for end users. By Blayne McKenzie, Technology Development Manager, Industrial Products, The Lubrizol Corp. Mobile and stationary hydraulic systems have gone through major changes in recent years. Widespread efforts toward higher efficiency […]