Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from July 2003

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from July 2003

Coming to a theater near you. (Editor's Page).
July 1, 2003... Most of the time, we can report on fluid power applications in the entertainment industry only after everything has been up and running, and an established success. Several weeks ago, we were looking forward to focusing on Top Thrill Dragster,...

Poclain announces two new subsidiaries. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... Poclain Hydraulics, Sturtevant, Wis., announced the addition of two new subsidiaries in China and Sweden, bringing the company's total to eleven. The Beijing office opened in December 2002, and the Stockholm location opens its doors this month....

ICUEE 2003 registration opens. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... ICUEE, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Expo, is on tap for September 23-25, 2003, at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville. Registration at the show Web site, www.icuee.com, is now open. More than 800...

ASME revamps technical conference. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... ASME, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, will conduct three separate, concurrent trade conventions this fall: the International Mechanical Engineering Congress, the Research Development and Design Expo, and the Defense Research and...

Anniversaries. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... Brennan Industries, Cleveland, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company's roots can be traced to World War II when the hydraulics industry surged as the nation looked for ways to deal with the sudden and substantial loss of...

Testing structural panels with low pressure air. (50 Years Ago).
July 1, 2003... A very simple test setup employing low pressure air to inflate a unique pneumatic pillow, used to determine the elastic limit, web crippling point, fail- ure, and other characteristics of Fenestra panel building sections, is in operation at...

Industry shipments & order statistics.
July 1, 2003... Industry shipments & order statistics Orders and shipments (Cumulative year-to-date percent changes) Pneumatic Industrial Hydraulic Month Shipments Orders Shipments Orders ...

Hagglunds Drives Inc. (People).
July 1, 2003... Columbus, has named John Duncan president of the company's North America operation. He was previously president of Cotta Transmission Co., Rockford, Ill. Duncan began his career at Rexroth in sales and application of hydraulic systems and...

Balluff Inc. (People).
July 1, 2003... Florence, Ky., has appointed Thomas R. Draper to the newly created position of marketing programs manager. Draper has more than 30 years experience in U.S. and international b2b marketing and sales support, most recently with WESCO Distribution...

Marmon/Keystone Corp. (People).
July 1, 2003... Butler, Pa., has promoted Mark G. Borland to national marketing manager--stainless and aluminum products. Previously, he held the title of national marketing manager--stainless bar. Borland has 27 years of experience in sales and management...

Atos SpA forms joint venture with American distributors.
July 1, 2003... Italian-based Atos SpA recently announced a joint venture with 10 American distributors. The company will be known as Fluid Power Associates Inc., and will be headquartered in York, Pa. FPA will act as Atos' master distributor in North America....

Don't miss NFPA's Economic Outlook Conference. (NFPA News).
July 1, 2003... The National Fluid Power Association's annual Economic Outlook Conference (EOC) is scheduled for August 19-20, 2003, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Once again, this highly respected conference will include an impressive lineup of speakers...

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is ranked top tradeshow. (NFPA News).
July 1, 2003... For the second consecutive time the CONEXPO-CON/AGG international construction and construction materials exposition has been ranked as the largest tradeshow held in the U.S. for any industry. The show earned the top spot in the annual...

Fluid power targeted for new pump-motor design. (Ideas & Applications).
July 1, 2003... Hydraulic pump and motor combinations have always had significant advantages over electrical or mechanical power transmission. But one of the biggest raps against hydraulics has been low efficiency. According to Sanderson Engine Development LLC...

Metal bellows slated for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (Ideas & Applications).
July 1, 2003... Senior Aerospace Metal Bellows, Sharon, Mass., announced that it will produce reservoirs to be used in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program's electro-hydrostatic actuation system, which is being supplied by Moog and Parker Hannifin. "Our...

Quick-change act for hydraulic fluid. (Ideas & Applications).
July 1, 2003... When a CH47 Chinook helicopter needs a change of hydraulic fluid, this important task is performed by a kit provided by Y2K Fluid Power Inc., St. Paul. The kit consists of a portable filter cart, two stainless steel drums--one for clean...

Hydraulic drive replaces electric. (Ideas & Applications).
July 1, 2003... An electromechanical drive of a Krupp bucket wheel reclaimer at EECV in Rotterdam port, the Netherlands, was replaced by a Hagglunds direct drive system. The Hagglunds hydraulic motor, type. Marathon MB 1600, has a hollow output shaft, which...

HST cover simplifies assembly. (Ideas & Applications).
July 1, 2003... Designers of hydraulic systems are always looking for more ways to eliminate leakage. Probably the most effective is to eliminate the number of parts in an assembly. The fewer parts, the lower the potential for leakage. Eliminating leaks...

Is that reservoir too big? (Motion Control).
July 1, 2003... This question is prompted as a result of a power unit we built to supply power to the motion control lab at IDAS Engineering. Some of the requirements involved in its design were portability, small physical footprint, engine driven, 3- micron...

Proportional valve overcomes limitations. (Pneumatic Systems).
July 1, 2003... Application of proportional pneumatic controls has been hampered by inconsistent valve performance, which prompted development of a new valve that overcomes these limitations. Since 1974, Clippard Instrument Laboratory has produced their EV...

Move, but don't touch. (News).
July 1, 2003... Question: How do you pick up a workpiece when you can't touch it? Answer: Use the new Non Contact Transfer (NCT) device from the Pneumatics Div. of Bosch Rexroth Corp. The NCT operates by the Bernoulli principle, which applies air flow under...

Festo sponsors Skills team. (News).
July 1, 2003... Festo Corp., Hauppauge, N.Y., is supporting the National SkillsUSA team at the World Skills Competition. Two college students will represent the U.S. at the International Vocational Training Organization WorldSkills Competition in St. Gallen,...

TSI to hold pneumatic seminar in Georgia. (News).
July 1, 2003... TSI Solutions, Stone Mountain, Ga., will conduct an Industrial Pneumatics seminar from October 7-8, 2003 at their headquarters. The class is an introduction to the theory and practice of pneumatics, including hands-on plumbing and drawing of...

High-flow valves. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Port size: 1/2 to 3-in. NPT Pressure rating: 0 to 200 psi Power: ac or dc FEATURES * Direct-Line, Internal Pilot models * Multiple housing, coil options * Forged brass with NPT-threaded connections *...

Clamps. (Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Hardened helical spline with three hardened drive balls * Keyed interface between rod and arm * Left or right rotations * Anti-backlash arm and guide * Flush-mount switches PHD Inc. Ph: (260) 747-6151...

Pressure transducers. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Measuring range: 150 to 11,000 psi, all-fluid version; vacuum to 360 psi, pneumatic version FEATURES * Temperature-compensated analog output signal * Meets CE international standard * Pneumatic version: 2-wire 4-20...

Parallel gripper. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Stroke length: 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 in. Grip force: 50 lb FEATURES * Tapped air ports on front and both sides * One-piece body * Offers single-jaw motion with fixed jaw Robohand Inc. (800) 762-6426 ...

Plastic filters. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Housing: nylon, acetal, or acrylic Filtration: 5 to 500 [micro]m * Choice of material, micron size, end fitting FEATURES * Color-coded cartridges for easy identification * Free samples available Industrial...

Solenoid air valves. (Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Internal wiring * Built-in PCB connector * Half-shell design for easy installation * Accommodates 3- and 4-way, single and double solenoid valves Mead Eluid Dynamic Inc. (773) 685-6800 www.mead-usa.com...

Displacement pump. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Maximum pressure: 29.4 psig Maximum vacuum: 29.3-in. Hg FEATURES * Available as single or double stage * Two non-contacting, claw-type rotors * Oil-free chamber Busch Inc. (800) 872-7867 ...

Guided pneumatic cylinder. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Diameter: 12 to 100 mm Stroke length: to 200 mm FEATURES * Magnetic piston senses position * High force, precise movement, high side load capacity, anti-rotation * Available with slide bearings or ball bearings...

Heavy-duty cylinders. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Bore sizes: 1 1/2 to 14 in. Pressure: 250-psi air nominal FEATURES * Steel tube is surface hardened by Nitrotec process * Many options offered (oversized piston rod, stroke adjuster, high-temperature rod boot) *...

Pneumatically actuated switches. (Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Spring-biased piston * U-cup seal * Available in subminiature, miniature sizes * Requires pressure as low as 5 psig * 5/8-32 external thread for mounting Clippard Instumental Lab Inc. (513) 521-4261...

Powering the world's largest motion platfrom: the newest nautical adventure from Fox Studios uses hydraulics and sophisticated controls to pull off dazzling special effects. (Fluid Power On Vacation).
July 1, 2003... Try to imagine the size and power of the hydraulic system required to move a 60-ton U movie prop mounted to the world's largest motion platform. But the dazzling special effects needed in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, called...

Space warrior: hydrostatic transmissions can save space--and boast a long list of other characteristics that make them the first choice for countless applications. (Subsystems).
July 1, 2003... The primary function of any hydrostatic transmission (HST) is to accept rotary power from a prime mover (usually an internal combustion engine) having specific operating characteristics and transmit that energy to a load having its own...

Meeting of the minds: some of fluid power's brightest stars assembled in Tampere, Finland, in May to present current research and look at what the future holds for our industry. (Conference Review).
July 1, 2003... What is the best way to measure the success of a technical conference? The number of attendees? How many countries are represented? The value of the ideas presented? The quality of the presenters? By any of these criteria, the Eighth...

Your worst nightmare--more offshore manufacturing. (Publisher's Desk).
July 1, 2003... DiFranco, Joe Not long ago, those supposedly in the know derisively divided the U.S. economy into two halves. One was the new economy, which was supposed to grow vibrantly based mostly on the Internet and telecommunications. The other half...

Management isn't always rocket science. (Publisher's Desk).
July 1, 2003... In a recent cartoon, Dilbert asks his boss: "Logically, doesn't the existence of thousands of management books show that no one knows what works best?" Good question. At least one academic, like Dilbert, takes a jaundiced view of the...

Sensor/connector combo. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Housing length: 35 mm Barrel diameter: 4 mm (smooth); 5 mm (threaded) Operating distance: 0.8 mm (4-mm version); 1.5 mm (5-mm version) * Meets IP 67 specs FEATURES * Easy-to-see LED built into barrel ...

Oil drain valve. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * No tools required * Hose swivels for direct drainage into waste containers * Spring closes poppet against 0-ring for leakfree operation * Steel, zinc plated * Minimizes oil-changing time Fluid Line Products...

Low-pressure diaphragm gauges. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Dial size: 21/2, 31/2 in. Connection: lower or back (21/2-in.); lower (31/2-in.) FEATURES * Precision-geared European movement * Provides accurate measurements Dresser Instruments (800) 788-5080 ...

Rotary actuators. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Output: 65,000 to 215,000 lb-in. FEATURES * Foot or flange mount * End cap locking/greasing/exclusion seal * Improved piston locking * For heavy-duty applications (800) 327-2589 Helac Corp. Circle...

Heat exchangers. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Offer high thermal efficiency * Withstand high pressures, temperatures * No pressure-retaining parts * Compact, economical * AISI 316 stainless steel plates ITT Standard (800) 447-7700 ...

Force measurement system. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Combines thru-hole load cell and 12 Vdc-powered amplifier/conditioner module * For industrial, OEM force measurement, weighing * Stainless steel load cell in 50 to 50,000-lb range * Several units can be powered from...

Air-operated mini-pumps. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * No lubrication required * Fluid end can be rotated 360[degrees] * Stainless steel or aluminum fluid ends, plastic air modules * Muffler for quiet operation * NPT ports for air, fluid connections * Internal...

Digital cylinder control. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * User-selectable internal or external injection profile control * Easy setup * Advanced control algorithms for fast, accurate response * WinHost software includes data acquisition and real-time graphing * Use for...

Hydraulic fluid. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Temperature: 90[degrees] C FEATURES * Compatible with other fluids * Fire resistant * Biogradable * No hazardous ingredients * Same formulation worldwide Quaker Chemical Corp. (610) 832-4217 ...

Calibration software. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Available in CD-ROM format * For Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP * Operates on any IBM-compatible PC * Programs for APECS, EPS series PCs * Demo mode for each program * User's manual for each product series ...

Hydraulic vane pumps. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Speed: 600 to 3,600 rpm Pressure: to 4,650 psi FEATURES * Designed for high/low circuit operation * Cam displacement, shaft, porting options * Double and triple pumps available Denison Hydraulics (937)...

Hydraulic motors. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Displacement: 12.2 in. (3) to 61.0 in. (3) Pressure: 4,500 psi (intermittent); 3,500 psi (continuous) Flow: to 60 gpm Speed: to 590 rpm Torque: 22,700 lb-in. (intermittent); 20,630 lb-in. (continuous) FEATURES...

Premium efficiency motors. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Output: 1 to 500 hp FEATURES * Meet or exceed CEE efficiency levels * TEFC and ODP enclosures * High-strength cast iron frames * NPT threaded terminal box * Regreasable bearings WEG Electric Motors...

Level indicator. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Measures [+ or -]90[degrees] angles * Measures in 1 or 2 perpendicular axes * CANopen communications * For mobile equipment Axiomatic Technologies Corp. (905) 602-9270 www."".com Circle 315

Flushface interchange couplings. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... FEATURES * Available in carbon steel or AISI 316 stainless steel * Optimizes flow * Ensures operator safety * Meets ISO 16028 standard * Corrosion resistant Perfecting Coupling Co. (800) 839-8980 ...

Fluidic module. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Volume: 250 or 750 mL FEATURES * Eight standard configurations * Includes LPV pump, valving, drive electronics, two reservoirs, tubing * Cycle life: 5 million cycles minimum * Cv 0.04% Lee Co. (860)...

The information you need, the setting you want. (Technology Fair).
July 1, 2003... Everyone is being required to do more with less these days. We know it's not easy to take the time or resources to travel to mammoth tradeshows to see the latest and greatest products and technology. Time and money are precious commodities, but...

Shocking news. (Web Wire).
July 1, 2003... Ace Controls gives the latest information on deceleration on their Web site, www.acecontrols.com. In addition to product details, the site features a ma p-based interactive distributor locator, catalogs, and news. Ace also has sizing/selection...

Clamp it, jed! (Web Wire).
July 1, 2003... Hydra-Craft Inc.'s online home, located at www.hydro-craft.com, gives a good introduction to clamping systems. Fluid velocity, pressure, and improper line size all contribute to high frequency vibration, shock, surge, and noise. Unclamped...

Get cultured. (Web Wire).
July 1, 2003... Fluid power consultant and frequent H&P contributor Bud Trinkel suggested a visit to the website www.ibiblio.org, which bills itself as "the public library's digital archive." Although a bit text-heavy (what did you expect?), the site is chock...

Upgrade your designs. (Web Wire).
July 1, 2003... Famle Technologies 2000 Inc.'s website located at www.automationstudio.com has details on their Automation Studio software which lets users perform circuit design and simulation for fluid power and automation technologies. The site has details...

Filters galore. (Web Wire).
July 1, 2003... Indiana-based Hy-Pro Filtration has an easy-to-remember URL with www.filterelement.com. The site explores the company's range of filter elements (including custom models), filter assemblies, and Hy-Dry breathers. There is also a helpful...

Variable displacement pump. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... SPECS Displacement size: 10 to 140 cc Pressure rating: 3,000, 3,625, 4,050 psi FEATURES * Flange connections join SAE-UNC or SAB metric * High power-to-weight ratio * Two drainage ports * Axial and radial...