At the Danfoss Distributor Meeting in September, Eric Alstrom, president of Danfoss Power Solutions, said the company has seen significant growth with a 50% increase in core business revenues since 2017, but noted there’s still room for improvement in understanding and meeting customer expectations. He underscored current market challenges, such as economic uncertainties, geopolitical influences,…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor One of the few disadvantages of hydraulics is the mass added to components capable of withstanding thousands of pounds of pressure. Of course, the raison d’ệtre of hydraulics is the transfer of pressurized fluid to achieve work. But do high-pressure components have to be high mass, especially on mobile machines? […]

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the four phases of electrifying mobile machinery — swapping diesel for batteries, optimizing hydraulics, recuperating energy, and going completely electric and eliminating hydraulics. Mobile machinery power transmission is rapidly evolving, driven by regulatory pressures, growing demands for greener technologies, and reduced operational costs. In this article, we delve into […]

MinExpo 2024 returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center September 24-26. With all the big players already announcing major machine developments, it’s clear that MinExpo promises to be a return to its pre-covid self with massive machinery setting the stage. MINExpo, owned and produced by the National Mining Association, brings professionals, experts and decision-makers from […]

My father was from Ireland, and I’ve spent many a summer enjoying all this beautiful country has to offer. I am now introducing my own children to the joys of a couple of weeks spent in simpler pleasures — long walks along the bay hunting for sea life, mooing and baaing at cows and sheep,…

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…

An LR 1750/2 hydraulic crawler crane lifted the Endeavor space shuttle orbiter into launch position at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Preserving humanity’s accomplishments keeps a record of our existence and our exploration of the vast unknown. The Endeavor space shuttle orbiter, which flew 25 missions from 1992 to 2011, was one such […]

As professionals rev up for MinExpo International 2024 in Las Vegas, here’s a look at some mining innovations released since the last gathering. Electrified vehicles, battery storage, and autonomous technology are top of mind across the mining industry, as all companies strive for net-zero targets and more sustainable operations. One glaring challenge is providing fast charging […]

Contributed by Mike Marks, Founding Partner of the Indian River Consulting Group In recent years, the supply chain has become unpredictable, and manufacturers and distributors alike must make bold moves to continue growing. One such move is to invest in and implement new technological solutions — especially those powered by artificial intelligence. AI isn’t just…

Last week, Flowcopter participated in the inaugural Offshore Drone Challenge (ODC) taking place at the National Experimental Test Center of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt, Germany. Sponsored by energy giant EnBW in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the ODC has been created as an opportunity for leading drone manufacturers to showcase their aircraft…

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…

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 […]

Hydraulic motors and pumps with outward-extending shafts can be connected to various driven components, such as pulleys and gears. Overhung loads created by these connections can exert significant radial and axial forces on the hydraulic unit’s shaft and bearings. Overhung load adapters (OHLAs) provide support for these shafts, reducing the load on the internal bearings […]

The third iteration of the U.S.-based IvT Expo returns August 21 and 22, to The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. IvT Expo USA continues to grow, as more than 130 exhibitors will display the latest components, materials, systems and technologies in Chicago later this summer. The focus is on next generation off-highway vehicles, […]

By Robert Sheaf  •  Founder of CFC Industrial Training In this month’s challenge, we visit a small concrete supplier. Its mixing truck would run fine when loading and mixing concrete for a customer’s job site. However, when the drum rotation was reversed to discharge the concrete at the job site, the hydrostatic system would start…

Flowcopter has successfully demonstrated its heavy-lift utility uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), the FC100, in outdoor flight trials at the UAS Denmark Test Center at Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense. The FC100 was born out of the need for robust, heavy payload uncrewed platforms with greater endurance in markets traditionally requiring helicopters, such as search […]

NFPA members are encouraged to attend the Automate trade show this week, May 6-9, in Chicago, especially for a panel discussion put on by the organization. As part of its efforts to provide an effective forum for members to connect with key end markets in fluid power, NFPA has organized a panel discussion on “Digital…

At Hannover Messe this week, Bosch Rexroth announced that it has developed a scalable portfolio of servohydraulic drives for compressors in the power range between 10 and 280 kW in partnership with others from the hydrogen industry. Hydrogen produced from renewable energies plays a key role in achieving global climate targets. It is a CO2-free […]

If you noticed a theme throughout Fluid Power World this month, you’re not imagining things. With our April issue, we are introducing a new concept to our readers — blockbuster issues that take a trend in fluid power and examine it from several angles. A few years ago, Paul Heney, our VP, Editorial Director, mentioned…

  By Robert J. Sheaf, Founder, CFC Industrial A customer of mine has a machine that threads both ends of a straight piece of rod stock which then is fed into a second machine to bend it in a “U” shape. This creates a clamp for various round pipe sizes. They had a problem with…

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 […]

Electrohydraulic actuators are standalone, self-contained systems that perform powerful tasks without external piping. They typically include an electric servomotor driving a hydraulic pump — often an axial-piston unit. Other components include a hydraulic cylinder, tank, valving and charging circuits. Because they are fitted with their own closed fluid circuit, they require only a small amount […]

Wave-generated power can be more reliable and consistent than other forms of alternative energy. Here, we look at how they work. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The need to address climate change by creating and implementing alternative energy projects remains the most critical objective of our generation. Traditional sources of energy, especially those producing electrical…

As most users of fluid power technologies know, one of the most vulnerable systems for leakage is within hose assemblies. This is not because hose, fittings, and couplings are poorly designed but, most often, the result of improper assembly design and maintenance. That’s why XonKen, a Chinese manufacturer of hydraulic hose and fittings, has developed […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re considering a career in fluid power, you must weigh all your options. There are solid arguments on both sides of the courtroom, so I will pitch my side of the debate to help you out. Here are my top 7 reasons not to pursue a career in fluid…