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At last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, John Deere put on an impressive hybrid press conference to announce its fully autonomous tractor. This isn’t some concept machine or a test vehicle. We’ve seen plenty of those over the years from OEMs; this is one that’s ready for large-scale production. The machine combines Deere’s […]

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies are placing compressed air systems front and center, despite usually being in the shadows. Contributed by Graham Coats, Sales Director at CMC Until very recently, the air compressor has been nothing but a workhorse; a key tool in the manufacturer’s toolbox, certainly, but one that’s kept away in the […]

Hydraulic drives and effective maintenance strategies are key to success in demanding offshore environments. By Collins Bioseh, Market Segment Manager — Hägglunds Marine & Offshore and Tom Shickel, Business Development Manager — Marine & Offshore, Bosch Rexroth Corp. Workboat and offshore environments often involve lifting, moving or operating heavy equipment, especially within tight space constraints. And,…

Doosan Bobcat has introduced its new, all-electric Bobcat T7X compact track loader at the CES 2022 show in Las Vegas. The T7X is said to be the first machine of its kind to be fully electric and, according to company officials, offers the benefits of eliminating hydraulic systems, emissions and vibrations while providing cleaner, quieter […]

Given the heightened attention on climate change and growing regulatory attempts to rein in CO2 emissions, the push toward electrification of mobile equipment is gaining momentum. Mobile OEMs are in the infancy of a major transformation toward electric-powered systems, but success in large part hinges on more-efficient fluid power systems. Why does hydraulic efficiency matter? […]

At the NFPA’s recent economic update meeting in Cleveland, Jim Meil of ACT Research Co., LLC talked to attendees about what’s ahead for the industry, from an economics perspective. Meil sees a COVID recovery through 2021, and “into 2022-2023 and beyond,” which is good news for fluid power manufacturers. Meil sees some definite problems in…

Registration is open for the Thursday, December 2, NFPA/FPIC Quarterly Conference on “Advanced Technologies for Eco-Friendly Fluid Power Systems.” This program will be a live webinar using the Remo Online Conference Platform and features a look at several innovations in fluid power. The half-day event begins at 8 a.m. with a brief welcome and icebreaker…

As it came up on the three-month mark for its acquisition of Eaton Corp., I spoke with Eric Alström, president of Danfoss Power Solutions, about how the merger is going between the two companies and what the future holds. The conversation was positive, echoing the continued growth of the company that was highlighted over the […]

IoT-enabled crimpers can improve crimp production, keep track of data and simplify maintenance and troubleshooting. Contributed by Thomas Carpenter, Gates Global Product Line Manager – Connected Platforms Although the process of hydraulic hose crimping has been around for decades, in the last few years technology has changed the landscape, completely redefining what is possible in the […]

Anyone who has worked underground or in surface mines knows that it’s a hard and dirty job. And the process of extracting ores and minerals usually has a negative environmental impact. For instance, consider the haul truck. According to “Pulling the weight of heavy truck decarbonization,” a report published by the Rocky Mountain Institute, globally […]

Contributed by Paul Kundinger   •  President, Kundinger Inc. Achieving longevity as a company is what any organization aims to do, but it’s not an easy process. Kundinger Inc. was founded on the belief that it would provide the best service possible and that’s helped the company achieve 60 years in business this year. Great…

Micro-PLCs with support for Wi-Fi and industrial communication protocols make it possible to add IIoT to any type of machinery in an easy and incremental manner. Bill Dehner, technical marketing engineer, AutomationDirect Pneumatically- and hydraulically-operated equipment is found worldwide in machine shops, factory floors, and production sites. While these heavy-duty systems excel at manufacturing and…

Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced three new electric compact machines, the L20 Electric wheel loader and EC18 Electric and ECR18 Electric excavators. The units join the current L25 and ECR25 electric offerings, and give Volvo the industry’s largest range of electric-drive machines, according to company officials. Volvo CE’s growing range of electric-drive equipment is said […]

Purdue University researchers have undertaken a $3.2 million Dept. of Energy project to optimize the hydraulic systems that connect tractors and implements. “Fluid power is everywhere,” said Andrea Vacca, professor of mechanical engineering and agricultural and biological engineering, and director of the Maha Fluid Power Research Center, the largest academic hydraulics lab in the country. […]

The Cat Next Generation hydraulic mining shovel displayed at MINExpo 2021 is engineered for the future, according to Caterpillar officials. The design fully integrates Cat Electronics and provides a platform to support innovation and technology expansion. The Next Generation shovels will feature five standard technologies, including Hydraulic Optimization, Operator Assist: Enhanced Motion Control (EMC), Product […]

The global mining industry has demonstrated its commitment to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in support of the Paris Agreement, with many major mining companies announcing decarbonization targets over the past 18 months. This increased focus on GHG emission reduction has accelerated the implementation of Liebherr’s existing low carbon systems and triggered future projects to […]

At the September NFPA/FPIC meeting, Peter Bleday, head of Danfoss Power Solutions autonomous vehicles group in Cambridge, Mass., discussed how the mobile industry has embraced more advanced technologies like autonomy, digitization and connectivity. In the process, he explained, Danfoss has had to expand its own product offerings and its PLUS+1 control platform, and also rely […]

Sooner or later, many companies will tell their remote workers to learn to live with Covid, and that it’s time to return to the office. Few are counting on a different kind of virus — ransomware — being part of the back-to-normal routine. As the pandemic forced employees to work from home, their laptops, smartphones…

As part of the ongoing effort to improve hydraulic efficiency in excavators, the Common Pressure Rail Hybrid system by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is yet another innovation improving performance while reducing CO2 emissions, in line with Volvo Group’s net zero carbon ambitions by 2040. A Volvo CE team from Sweden and South Korea worked […]

Lately, it seems a month doesn’t go by where I’m not receiving some news about a merger and acquisition in the industry. Sometimes, it’s one small distributor or repair shop acquiring another to expand their reach. And others, it is the big players getting even bigger. Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past…

By integrating pneumatics technologies, consumer packaged goods companies can reduce their carbon — and equipment — footprint. Contributed by Mark Densley, Director Business Development Factory Automation, Emerson Customer demand, as well as a sense of environmental responsibility, is driving consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to drastically reduce their carbon footprint. While many companies seek ways to make […]

Much has been said about the manufacturing skills gap, the disconnect between capabilities manufacturers expect from their workforce, and the knowledge and expertise that workers actually possess. However, another skills gap is emerging and is likely to impact virtually all industries — the electrical skills gap. With more emphasis than ever on digitalization, electrification and…

Last month, I reported on NFPA shipments with thoughts from Peter Alles, VP of Member Services and Marketing for the NFPA, and how the industry is recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Current data still shows that shipments are starting to even out, as they are greater than at the start of the pandemic but…

Far-reaching hydraulics powers a show-stopping display. Contributed by Paolo Leutenegger, General Manager  •  Duplomatic Motion Solutions, Parabiago, Italy  Expo 2020, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, opens October 1 in Dubai. The world’s fair, set to welcome 190 participating countries with an estimated 25 million visitors from across the globe, aspires to increase awareness about the…

Many companies talk a good game when it comes to climate change but for most, it’s not a top priority. Pneumatics manufacturer SMC, in contrast, is incorporating sustainability across its entire business, from the products it makes and how they are manufactured to reorganizing production facilities to minimize waste and CO2 emissions. According to Global…