Winners of the 2021 LEAP Awards (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) were announced this afternoon in a digital ceremony, with products across 12 categories. This annual competition saw a record number of submissions, as it aims to celebrates the most innovative and forward-thinking products serving the design engineering space. This year’s winners were chosen by […]
Modular and block control valves for excavator use
Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG has introduced a new generation of control valves for use in wheeled excavators. The new valve block VW 22/18 M5-03 for the open circuit is characterized by its modular system, while the monoblock with five sections plus pressure relief section represents the basic set-up. Optionally, three additional sections can […]
When should you use check valves?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Check valves are the most basic form of directional valve. In their simplest form, a check valve has the singular task of allowing flow in one direction while blocking flow from returning in the opposite direction. These valves are not only simple in their operation but also simple in their […]
Achieve a greener packaging line with pneumatics technologies
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 […]
Pneumatic double valves for external monitoring
The M35 series valve from Ross Controls is designed to supply air to a zone or entire machine/system until signaled to shut off and exhaust residual downstream pneumatic energy from the machine. This reduces the hazards associated with the presence of residual energy during employee access and/or minor servicing. The safety function of the M35 […]
When should you use cartridge valves?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Cartridge valves are a type of compact hydraulic valve that slips or screws into the machined cavity of a ported manifold or block. Unlike other valves, such as monoblock lever valves or stackable industrial valves, the manufacturer leaves the porting for you to decide. Cartridge valves still use poppets or […]
Electrohydraulic inverse proportional pressure relief valve for fan drives
The RPEI electrohydraulic inverse proportional pressure relief valve is a new high-capacity pressure control that provides smooth, precise speed control in fan drive applications. Designed for use in fan drive applications, the RPEI combines attributes of an electro-proportional adjustable pilot stage valve and a high-capacity main stage valve to provide precise pressure control inversely proportional […]
Pulsed air boosts pneumatic efficiency
The AirFlowSaver supplies energy- and cost-optimized compressed air based on unique SmartValve technology. Contributed by Wolfgang Teichmann, CEO and Markus Koenig, CSO, KTW Technology, Wehr, Germany nad Andy Pott, Vice President, PHIR Technologies, Hartland, Wisconsin For well over a century, compressed air has been commonly used across many industries because it is a simple, flexible and […]
What are the differences between proportional and servovalves?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The line that separates the performance of servo and proportional valves has blurred in recent years. Some may consider a servovalve to be any valve capable of accurately positioning your actuator with closed-loop control. However, in everyday hydraulic circles, many industry professionals describe a servovalve as a valve with a […]
The Roof Wing Opening System of the UAE Pavilion
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…
Electronic control units for hydraulic valve control
Argo-Hytos is launching new sophisticated and versatile proportional electronic control units for hydraulic applications. The EL7 control unit offers multiple types of analog input signals (nine) and also gives the user the option to switch to the CAN bus interface. Everything is easily parametrizable via Bluetooth using the ARGO-HYTOS app, which is free to download […]
Distributed electro-pneumatics maximize machine automation options
Distributed automation options have been improving for many years. Networked electro-pneumatic solenoid banks give machine builders smart and convenient choices. Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer, AutomationDirect Most automated machines and systems incorporate some number of enclosures and panels for housing controls components. However, these centralized devices typically must interconnect with many more field sensors and […]
HRV-HP inline pressure relief hydraulic valve
Doering’s hydraulic inline pressure relief valves are an easy way to protect any hydraulic system from pressure spikes. Easy to install and durable for a long life. HRV-HRVF-HRVM High Pressure direct-acting relief valves are normally closed, pressure-limiting valves used to protect hydraulic systems from pressure spikes. When the pressure at the inlet reaches the pressure […]
Festo launches online KVZA Butterfly-Valve Configurator
The new Festo KVZA Butterfly-Valve Configurator lowers overhead by speeding up and simplifying procurement of manual and automated butterfly valves. In only minutes with the configurator, engineers will have the price, estimated delivery date, data sheet, bill of material, 2D CAD data, 3D CAD models, and certificates of the optimum butterfly valve for the application. […]
Hydraulic and pneumatic Colorflow valves adapt to digital age
Contributed by Mike Giammo, product sales manager, and Mitch Eichler, business development manager, Parker’s Hydraulic Valve Div. Parker Colorflow valves have been a global standard in industrial and mobile applications for more than 60 years. The exclusive colored rings found on metering, flow control and needle valves provide users highly visible checkpoints that allow for […]
Festo adds manual and mechanical pneumatic valves
Festo recently introduced the manually operated VHEF and the mechanically operated VMEF pneumatic valves. These small, durable, and versatile valves are core Festo products and guaranteed to ship within 24 hours. Whether the valve is triggered by a workpiece, a component, or a person, manual and mechanical valves are the most direct way to control […]
Double selector six-way hydraulic valves provide flow direction to two circuits
The DS-Double Selector hydraulic valve from Doering is a two position, six-way, double selector valve which directs the flow of hydraulic fluid to two separate hydraulic circuits within your hydraulic system. This flow divider valve allows the operation of two double-acting cylinders with one four-way control valve or four single-acting cylinders with two-three-way control valves. It […]
On-board electronics helps parameterize and read out hydraulic valves
With the newly developed generation of digital on-board electronics for hydraulics, Rexroth allows economical scaling between analog components and those with a fieldbus/Ethernet connection. It takes advantage of the economic benefits of digitalization with no additional cabling. The new generation provides the open interfaces Bluetooth and IO-Link. In conjunction with a suitable app, commissioning engineers,…
Cordis electronic flow controllers offer precise, linear flow in closed-loop systems
The Cordis flow controller utilizes an extremely fast-reacting mems technology sensor upstream from a proportional valve, with the option of a DR-2 regulator for accurate and precise pressure control in a small package. Unlike other mass flow controllers that require a 30-minute warm-up time, large differential pressures, and limited flow ranges, the Cordis requires less than […]
Bosch Rexroth launches new Pre-Compensated Valve Platform for mobile machines
Flexible and adaptable, the Pre-Compensated Valve Platform makes it easier for mobile machine builders to selectively combine a range of hydraulic control valves into a single, integrated, multifunctional control solution to match specific operational and performance requirements. With the Pre-Compensated Valve Platform, Bosch Rexroth has engineered a solution that combines multiple valves with minimal need […]
Symbology 401 – logic elements
Logic elements are fantastic little creatures. Sometimes call DIN valves or slip-in cartridge valves, they are the most basic valve design capable of controlling direction, flow and pressure. Their simple poppet construction nearly guarantees reliability while flowing upwards of a thousand gallons per minute or more. Unlike most of the Symbology series, this one requires…
NITRA Pneumatic Automation Link field I/O system and valves
The NITRA Pneumatic Automation Link (PAL) series of components from AutomationDirect is a versatile field I/O system that can include electrical I/O or pneumatic valves, or a combination of both. The system can be controlled either by an Ethernet/IP master or direct wiring (for exclusively pneumatic valves). All components are rated IP65, intended to be […]
Space-saving, pressure-compensated flow control valve
Sun Hydraulics has released the company’s first solenoid-operated, 3-way proportional flow control valve as part of the expanding line of FLeX Series valves. The new patent pending, compact FREP combines an electro-proportional adjustable orifice and pressure compensator in one valve and can provide a constant priority flow rate independent of load pressures. It’s well suited […]
Solenoid valves offer reduce power consumption in smaller footprint
Emerson has launched a range of two-way and three-way solenoid valves that support original equipment manufacturers’ need to develop more compact machines and equipment without compromising on fluid control performance. The optimized body design and internal flow path of the new ASCO series 256/356 not only provides a smaller footprint, but also reduced power consumption […]
Sectional load sense relief valve offers efficient pressure control
Power management company Eaton has introduced a sectional load sense relief valve (LSRV) for its CLS mobile hydraulic control valve. The patented LSRV limits individual section pressure through feed oil reduction, eliminating the need for inefficient work port reliefs for feed-side pressure control. The CLS LSRV improves machine productivity and efficiency by helping prevent functions […]