Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from April 2002

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from April 2002

Las Vegas is a great place to visit, but. (Editor's Page).
April 1, 2002... Las Vegas should be called the city of waiting. Like many readers, I attended IFPE/ConExpo 2002 in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, after putting in a full day at the show, most of us looked forward to getting refreshed at our hotel...

Readers' forum.
April 1, 2002... Readers debate fittings and leakage While reading Scott Harlan's analysis of O-ring face seal (ORFS) fittings, I had a quiet chuckle to myself. The long and the short of Mr. Harlan's article could be summed up with the phrase, "ORFS...

Specialty brake valves enhance mobile equipment. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Because of the size of much of today's mobile equipment, hydraulic service brakes are a necessity. Engineers at MICO, Inc. add value to the brake components they design by arranging for them to interface and interact with other systems on the...

Cleaner removes oil aerosols from ambient air. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... To meet OSHA indoor-air quality requirements, Micro Air offers Model OM6000DD air cleaners to capture airborne oil mist. A fan draws ambient air through a combination of baffle-type oil impingers, then through special fiberglass bag filters...

Cylinder clusters power walker. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Wheels are such a ubiquitous part of modern transportation, mobile equipment, and even toys that Don't reinvent the wheel has become a cliche. It's easy to overlook their limitations, but wheels have to have a relatively smooth surface to roll...

Web site's tools find fittings. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Design engineers looking for hydraulic and instrumentation fittings for tubing, hose, and pipe will find a variety of helpful tools at sspfittings.com, a web site established by SSP Fittings Corp., Twinsburg, Ohio. The company's fittings range...

Remote-control signals hop over interference. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Spread-spectrum frequency hopping (SSFH) enables remote devices to transmit and receive signals without interference. The technology has been used for years by the military, and more recently has enabled clear reception for cellular phones and...

Soft-shift driver suits mobile electrohydraulic equipment. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Axiomatic Technologies Corp., Toronto, has released a dual soft-shift controller for two proportional-solenoid valves (either directional-, flow-, or pressure-control) in mobile-equipment applications. The controller accepts a broad range of...

Power converters suit mobile-equipment applications. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Alfa Tronix a European manufacturer of power supplies, offers a practical way to operate 12-V DC equipment from the 24-V DC electrical systems typically found on diesel-driven vehicles and vessels, as well as 28-V DC aircraft systems. Ten...

NEMA releases energy guide. (Ideas and Applications).
April 1, 2002... Due to the shortages -- and large cost increases -- of electrical energy, it obviously is important for motor specifiers and users to understand the selection, application, and maintenance of electric motors in order to improve the management...

Sorting through air valves. (Pneumatic Systems).
April 1, 2002... A traditional, digital, pneumatic directional control valve consists of a body with external ports that lead to internal flow passages. One or more elements inside the valve move to open or block these passages, controlling the direction of air...

Local versus centralized buses for pump control. (Motion Control).
April 1, 2002... The architecture of the pump and its control system are organized in view of the latest technology, but also with a healthy regard for technological limitations. The system configuration places a control computer directly on the pump housing....

Construction equipment: Tough, versatile, and operator-friendly; From a 3-ton excavator to a 52-ton mobile crusher, rugged hydraulic systems deliver power with speed and control on today's construction equipment. (Feature).
April 1, 2002... Dual-output pump helps keep excavator compact Mustang Manufacturing Co., Owatonna, Minn., has focused on compact excavators for the past several years. Four new models bring the number of excavators to 12 in their compact line, which...

Safety valves can help lock out trouble: When OSHA mandated lockout/tagout regulations, valve manufacturers responded by introducing a wide variety of products to answer the call. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2002... Safety practices are among those intangibles that seem to go unnoticed until something goes wrong. The problem is, accidents can still occur with even the most stringent safety programs. This is why more and more products have built-in safety...

Manifolds simplify systems: Manifolds provide a convenient means for installing multiple valves in a centralized location. Benefits include lower cost, more compact design, less leakage, and simpler maintenance. (System Design).
April 1, 2002... Manifolds come in two basic types. One is a single-piece design which sup ports all necessary valving and contains all the passages for an entire system. The other is the modular-block design. Each modular block usually supports only one valve...

In-reservoir return filters. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Modular Build-A-Filter In-Reservoir system allows user to specify ports of different sizes and locations for system return filters. Eliminates outlet line from filter to tank; reservoir is filled through system filter, not filler-breather...

Flange protectors. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Versatile EP-305 Series push-in flange protectors feature pair of flexible circular ribs with slightly different ODs (see cutaway view below); design allows single unit to protect range of flange sizes and variety of classifications. Units snap...

Manifolds. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Family of standard manifolds includes engineered polymer -- with 3/8-in. inlet, 1/4-in. outlet ports for pressures to 250 psi -- and CA360 brass -- with 1/8- to 3/8-in. ports for pressures to 1000 psi. Company also will custom-engineer...

Hose wrap. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Heli-Tube spirally cut Teflon hose wrap resists abrasion, serves as antichafe guard, provides color coding; is chemically inert, non-flammable. Installs manually without tools. Operating temperature range: sub-zero to 500[degrees]F. Seven sizes...

Off-line oil purifier. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Self-contained Model SE-200N-YT continuous oil-purification unit will clean hydraulic and lubricating fluids to 1-[micro]m absolute. Package includes Trochoid gear pump; quiet, fractional-horsepower motor; relief valve; pressure gauge; washable...

Remote flow control. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Remote electronic control can adjust LEFC (large electronic flowcontrol) module -- installed anywhere downstream from pump -- to instantaneously change hydraulic output flow. Two pressure-compensated models cover ranges from zero to 45 or 55...

Quick flow valves. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Q2 Series of small plastic, 2-way solenoid valves have high flow capability; are available with 1/4- or 3/8-in. OD John Guest quick push-to-connect tube fittings. Orifice sizes range from 1/3 to 5/16 (only with largest fittings). Combination of...

Industrial shock absorbers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Rugged Magnum Group shock absorbers provide true linear deceleration, are particularly suited for emergency applications; units can handle up to five times maximum energy per single cycle or up to three times maximum energy for 1000 application...

Bench-top swager. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... P32 bench-top swager generates 200 tons of force; accommodates hose diameters to 2.0 in., tube or pipe to 3.5 in. Maximum speed is 850 swages per hour; opening is 87 mm. Options: quick-change tool system, foot-pedal actuation, mechanical back...

Vacuum generators. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Compact, economical, energy-efficient venturi vacuum generator and full-ported 3-way valve are combined in single modular body that plugs into subbase for ease of installation. External regulator can control pressure to set vacuum. Valve...

Lead-sensing system. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Proportional load-sensing system from Aron S.p.A. includes electronic card flange-mounted in single manifold module; is available in either 4-or 6-function designs. Supplied pre-coded to customer requirements for on/off or proportional...

Flow controls. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... TMF Series hydraulic flow controls -- machined from 303-grade stainless steel -- are designed to meter flow precisely in corrosive atmospheres. Brazed body construction accommodates 5000-psi service; bleed holes in piston cushion...

Flange adapters. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Adaflange Unified Code-U61 2-bolt flange adapters provide compact, leak-resistant connection. Design mates with either of two diagonal tapped mounting holes of same nominal-size SAE Code-61 4-bolt flange port. Small footprint allows closer...

Pressure transducer. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Lightweight, compact 100 Series transducers handle extreme environments. Available in pressure ranges from 0 to 15 psi through 0 to 10,000 psi. Full-scale combined error -- including linearity, hysteresis, and repeatability -- is better than [+...

Radial-piston motors. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Galzoni fixed-displacement LSHT Type MR motors are designed with five pistons and cylinders oriented radially around central crankshaft -- with no piston rods. Weight and size are less than other motors with similar capacity. Performance...

Pressure transmitter. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Lightweight (3 oz), all-stainless-steel, economical PSI-10000 high-level output pressure transmitter covers ranges from vacuum to 10,000 psi (gauge or absolute). Features: all-stainless-steel construction; high burst pressure; accuracy to [+ or...

Protective plugs. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Plugs in Series UTP (universal thread plugs) help guard against physical damage to threads and prevents entry of dirt and contaminants during storage and transit. Push in to install, twist to lock; pull tab facilitates removal. Each design...

Bar manifolds. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Bar manifolds -- available in sizes 6 (D03) and 10 (D05 -- are stocked in aluminum (rated 3000 psi) and ductile iron (5000 psi). Number of stations ranges from one to eight, with SAE threaded ports, pressure-gauge port, and either Sun...

Stainless-steel air cylinders. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... TRD stainless-steel product line includes pre-lubed SS Series tie-rod style and SS-NR Series non-rotating cylinders. Both are rated for 250-psi pneumatic service (with 400-psi non-shock hydraulic optional). Bore sizes range from 1 1/2 to 8 in....

Compressed-air dryers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Rugged Freedom desiccant-type air dryers require no power; perform indoors or outdoors with minimal maintenance. Standard and custom-engineered models cover capacity range from 7 to 16,000 scfm at 100 psi. Accessory filters and automatic drain...

Window sights. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Leak-tight window sights have aluminum ball between glass and stainless-steel reflector to visually indicate liquid level. Hexagonal plated-steel body is available with NPT threads ranging from 1/4 to 2 in. Clear, flat glass is flush with front...

Differential-pressure gauges. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Constructed of weatherproof engineered plastics, uni- or bi-directional 120 Series differential-pressure gauges are rated to NIS/NEMA 4X/IP 65. working pressure: 6000 psi with full over-range protection; accuracy to [+ or -]3-2-3% (ascending)....

Air mufflers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Injection-molded mufflers are constructed of glass-filled polypropylene. Push-in stem design allows installation or removal in seconds. Suit virtually any directional control valve or manifold. Four sizes -- 6 and 10 mm, 1/4 and 3/8 in. -- fit...

Heat exchangers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... BCF family of fixed-tubesheet heat exchangers -- offered in 110 standard models -- features copper-alloy cores, cast-iron bonnets, and non-asbestos, compressed-fiber gasketing assembled in 1-, 2-, or 4-pass configurations with as much as 124...

Stop collars. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Fine-Adjust stop collars slide onto shaft or rod and lock in place with body screw; then knurled nut portion provides fine adjustment before locking with its own clamping screw. Sizes with bores from 1/4 to 1 1/2 in. or 6 to 30 mm. Available in...

Pressure transducers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Rugged P155 stainless-steel pressure transducers incorporate ceramic capacitive-sensing technology; are available with 3/8-24 UNF-2B female-thread pressure connection. Provides dry or wet measurements over ranges from 0 to 15 through 0 to 1000...

Hydraulic filters. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Bolt-on filter performs as bypass for any hydraulic system operating at pressures to 3000 psi. Integral compensating flow valve maintains flow at approximately 1 gpm at 40 psi, which has negligible effect on external system. Densely packed...

I/P, E/P transducers. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Type-550X electronic pressure regulator converts variable current or voltage signal to proportional pneumatic output; integral volume booster provides up to 20 scfm of flow. Variety of output ranges extend to 120 psi. Compact NEMA-4X housing is...

PWM converters. (New Products).
April 1, 2002... Compact converters can change digital pulse-width modulated signals to analog current or voltage signals, or reverse -- current to PWM. Accept broad range of supply voltages (24-V DC nominal). Operating temperatures: -40[degrees] to 85[degrees]...

Sauer-Danfoss acquires share of Italy's comatrol S.p.A. (Industry News).
April 1, 2002... Sauer-Danfoss Inc., Ames, Iowa, has purchased a minority interest in Comatrol S.p.A. of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The two companies have also entered a strategic alliance to develop and manufacture cartridge valves and hydraulic integrated circuits...

U.S., Swiss cylinder companies join forces. (Industry News).
April 1, 2002... Branham Pneumatics, Inc., Bradenton, Fla., and Lanamatic AG, Altnau, Switzerland, have entered into a broad agreement that gives Branham an exclusive supply of pneumatic rodless cylinder assembly kits for the U.S. market. The two companies will...

Balluff addition. (Industry News).
April 1, 2002... Balluff Inc. recently completed construction of a new 18,000 sq-ft, two-story addition to its U.S. headquarters, located in Florence, Ky. The new structure expands the facility by 45%, allowing for enhanced product design and manufacturing...

Bosch Rexroth Corp. (People).
April 1, 2002... Bosch Rexroth Corp., Bethlehem, Pa., has named Berend Bracht as vice president and general manager of the company's Industrial Products Div. in the U.S. Bracht will head the division's new senior management team, which also includes Michael...

PTC Alliance. (People).
April 1, 2002... PTC Alliance, Pittsburgh, has promoted Peter Whiting to president. Whiting, who was also elected to the corporation's board of directors, succeeds Richard C. Huemme, who continues to serve as CEO and chairman of the board, Whiting joined the...

www.gemssensors.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This recently redesigned site features a complete online catalog (including specifications and pricing) for many standard fluid sensors and controls. FasTrak system allows users to track orders. PDF files are provided for various catalogs and...

www.iamlost.com/features/lovetron. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Sage words of advice can be found at Lovetron 5000, a relationship advice site with a twist. Email your questions in, and they are supposedly answered by the Lovetron 5000, a brilliant machine from the distant future, when "man needs machines...

www.aem.org. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This is the website for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the consolidation of the former Construction Industry Manufacturers Association and Equipment Manufacturers Institute. Although the pages are still being tweaked, visitors can...

www.swagelok.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This site, home to Swagelok Co. and its network of sales/service centers, was recently recognized as one of the 200 best B2B websites. And it is easy to use. Click on the product category you're interested in, and you're taken to a catalog-like...

www.landbigfish.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... If you're an avid angler, Land-BigFish will probably fascinate you for hours. This website has numerous fishing articles and how-to tips, along with fishing jokes, maps and charts, charter information, and even message boards. One of the many...

www.camozzi-usa.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Camozzi Pneumatics' site now includes a web-based product configuration and CAD system, which allows users to select cylinders specific to their needs. Help sections are present to guide users through the application process.

www.inconstantmoon.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This is a great site for lunar addicts. In addition to playing songs such as Paper Moon and the Moonlight Sonata, it provides information on the moon's phases and geography, and contains an encyclopedia of all things moon-related.

www.imtsnet.org. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This is the site for the International Manufacturing Technology Show, next scheduled for September 4-11, 2002 in Chicago. It features all the usual bells and whistles, including floor plans, exhibitor lists, individual product listings, and (of...

www.graphicmaps.com/geoquiz/thelist.htm. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Although this site looks simple (and a little boring) at first glance, start reading some of the numbers, and you'll be fascinated. Part of Graphic Map's World Atlas site, there are multiple lists detailing the continents, rivers, deserts,...

www.bbc.co.uk. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Britain's BBC interactive site provides a different view of world events, and it is available in 43 different languages! Sections cover news, sports, TV, radio, and weather.

www.norgren.com/training. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... This section of Norgren's website presents information on Pneusim Pro, software that allows pneumatic circuit designers to animate and test their circuits. Interested users may download a demo version of the program or watch a slideshow...

www.thesmokinggun.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Here's a quite interesting site that posts all sorts of public documents that newsmakers probably wish you couldn't see. Read the officer's report from when President Bush's niece was arrested for prescription fraud, or examine what demands...

www.indeecocontrols.com. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Here's a website specializing in custom electronic controls. It has a handy Quick Custom Price calculator, to help design engineers get a rough idea of performance and pricing. There is also an online ordering function for more standard models....

www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rushmore/. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... Here's a site dealing with South Dakota's Mount Rushmore. It contains details about the actual carving, a timeline of events, and some curious stories -- such as the huge controversy over the filming of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller North by...

www.royaltyfreeart.com/ansel/ansel/home.html. (Wire).
April 1, 2002... In 1941, Ansel Adams was commissioned to shoot a series of photos for the National Park Service for a mural that was never completed. This site includes many of the photos Adams took for this project, all of which are royalty free and...