Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from March 2006

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from March 2006

DaimlerChrysler vacuums up the savings.(AUTOMATE WITH AIR)
March 1, 2006... Arecent comparative vacuum technology study at Daimler-Chrysler found that air consumption could be reduced by 98% by equipping a robot's end-of-arm tooling with a new multistage vacuum generator and check valve. The study also estimated that...

Engineers vs. scientists.(Editor's Page)
March 1, 2006... During my education at engineering school, I always considered myself sort of a scientist. I suppose that I've always assumed that engineers and scientists are somewhat interchangeable... probably due to the fact that both groups seem...

An arm's length in front.(AUTOMATE WITH AIR)
March 1, 2006... Many manufacturers of plastic components use inflexible linear gantries restricted to Cartesian motions for loading and unloading plastic parts on injection molding machines. According to Marco Plewe, key technology manager for plastics at Kuka...

Earthmovers do more with less: innovative design allows making earthmoving equipment more versatile without resorting to a lot of sophisticated electronics.(CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT)
March 1, 2006... Over the past 20 years, compact loaders have taken the construction industry by storm. It's difficult to find a job site today without these little one-man work forces... as contractors realize that these versatile loaders can bring the power...

Choosing the right valve? Good design practices are essential for achieving high speed and high precision in hydraulic servo motion control applications.(SYSTEM DESIGN)
March 1, 2006... Factory operators are posed with the need to make their operations ever more productive in order to keep up with competitive pressures in the marketplace. At the machine level, this often translates to the requirement for higher speed and...

Spools for specific applications--injection molding.(SYSTEM DESIGN)
March 1, 2006... There are many special spools that are made for specific applications, such as injection molding. These spools are designed so that there is normally only oil pressure on the A port side of the piston that injects the plastic (see figure...

Gear pumps, motors.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Heavy-duty, high-pressure gear pumps and motors are described in this brochure, which lists key specifications for the GHP 1, 2, and 3, and the ALP 1, 2, and 3. Basic line drawings provide data on sizes and depths, while charts give...

Motor valves.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Catalog describes valve program for compact motors used in marine and offshore industries. It provides engineered drawings, key specifications, common uses, and circuit descriptions for modular block system interfaces, cross-over relief valves,...

Pneumatic components and systems.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Catalog is divided into several sections, featuring pressure and vacuum switches, accessories, miniature quick disconnects, plastic fittings, interface devices, and modular precision regulators and manifold systems. Each section includes...

In-line flow meters.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Seventy-four page catalog introduces in-line flow meters, with general operating functions and designs, technical and application information on liquid and gas flow meters, and conversion data. Each page features different styles for a variety...

Pumps and motors.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Catalog features 21 pages describing the A line of axial-piston pumps and motors. It has specifications and illustrations of the A line, with performance data, such as sizes, displacement, continuous and intermittent pressure, speed, flow, and...

Rotators.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Three-fold data sheet provides key features and benefits of the Black Bruin BBR HD, BBR F, and MR rotators for use in heavy-duty harvesting, loading, and forestry applications. Illustrations provide specifications for sizes and key components....

Air cylinders, actuators.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... SC-Master1 catalog contains 700 pages of technical details for industrial pneumatic cylinders and actuators: TaskMaster aluminum profile, PowerMaster NFPA steel tie-rod, ISOVDMA profile and tie-rod, Octagon ISO mini, Series M mini, RexMover...

Impact absorbers.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Cusioneers brochure spotlights adjustable, leak-proof impact absorbers for eliminating shock and noise. It describes in general three models for stroke lengths of 12, 1, and 112 in. and offers detailed dimensions. Engineered drawing depicts all...

Pumps and motors.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Brochure gives basic overview of company's roller bearing and sleeve bushing pumps and motors, flow dividers, intensifiers, and accessories. Product photos are accompanied by key specifications, including flows, speeds, pressures, and...

Hydraulic brake valves.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Catalog features the VB product range of brake actuators, accumulator charging valves, power brake valves, and special valves. A general overview of applications and hydraulic brake valves is given, along with key features of each model in each...

Hose assembly machinery.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Catalog provides information in English and German. It gives an overview of the company, along with product shots, model numbers, and technical data on complete line of machines: hose cutting and brushing machines, hose skiving machines,...

Rotating unions.(Free Literature)
March 1, 2006... Brochure gives general information on all rotating, bearlingless, and bearing-supported unions. It offers operating data and cut-a-way drawings with key components for coolant unions, bearing supported coolant unions, pop-off coolant unions...

New skid-steer is showcase of hydraulics.(Ideas & Applications)
March 1, 2006... Many benefits of Caterpillar's new 268B skid-steer loader are the result of hydraulics. Among the most significant of these is Cat's high-flow XPS hydraulic system, which incorporates pressure compensation and load sensing to deliver maximum...

Pump ensures squeaky wheel gets the grease.(Ideas & Applications)
March 1, 2006... Funny thing about hydraulic systems--they never work alone. They're always hooked up to something else. . . and that something else usually includes journal bearings. Furthermore, most machines that use hydraulics use multiple cylinders....

Is air or water getting into your hydraulic fluid?(Ideas & Application)
March 1, 2006... The hydraulic oil level in our molding machine reservoir gradually rises after we start the unit up. This causes oil to eventually blow out the breather cap when the clamp and injection cylinders retract. Several fixed-displacement vane pumps...

Maintain control of brute strength: continuing evolution keeps joysticks the most intuitive means to interface man with machine.(SYSTEM CONTROL)
March 1, 2006... The advent of hydraulics allowed controlling much higher levels of power via valves. A hydraulic joystick connects directly to low-pressure (pilot) hydraulic valves, allowing an operator to control the high-pressure "working side" of the...

Flow profiles in motion control applications.(Motion Control)
March 1, 2006... An important issue that arises when engineers implement motion control technology is that the parameters that are most difficult to predict are specified as parameters that must be strictly controlled. For example, if we know the system...

John Pippenger, P.E., was fluid power industry leader.(Industry News)
March 1, 2006... John J. Pippenger, one of the fluid power industry's most notable names, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, at Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center in Laurium, Mich. He was 88. Pippenger was instrumental in the formation of the National Fluid...

NAHAD's meeting targets resiliency.(Industry News)
March 1, 2006... NAHAD will hold its 22nd Annual Meeting & Convention, "Resilient Distribution--Planning for Success in Challenging Times," April 8 to 12, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. Events will include educational sessions and fun...

Motion control company acquires solenoid valve firm.(Industry News)
March 1, 2006... International Motion Control (IMC), Buffalo, acquired Evolutionary Concepts Inc. (ECI), San Dimas, Calif. ECI's solenoid valve product line will be merged with IMC's exisiting product lines in North America, and be promoted from within the...

Roland S. Boreham, Jr., was past CEO of Baldor.(Industry News)
March 1, 2006... Roland S. Boreham Jr., CEO of Baldor Electric Co., Fort Smith, Ark., from 1978 to 1981 and chairman from 1981 to 2004, passed away on Sunday, February 5. Boreham began his career with Baldor in 1947, working for his father, who was a...

National distribution agreement reached.(Industry News)
March 1, 2006... Applied Industrial Technologies, Cleveland, expanded its strategic relationship with Parker Hannifin Corp.'s Automation and Climate & Industrial Controls Groups. Applied will nationally distribute Parker-branded pneumatic air valves, FRLs,...

Hydraulic cylinders.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Short-stroke, lug-mounted hydraulic linear actuators have a short coupling between rod guides and piston heads for reaction to side loads and moments. They are available in bores of 0.75 to 1.563 in. and are rated for 1500 psi with strokes to 2...

Solenoid connector.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... MCCR solenoid connector uses pass-through technology to control multiple solenoids (parallel or independent devices) with one connection to controller. Gasket-thin head fits between single female connector and male device and provides two...

Air cylinders.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... NFPA interchangeable air cylinders have oversized nonmetallic, composite rod bearings for maximum load support, wear resistance, and long cycle life. They are offered in bores from 112 to 6 in. and strokes to 48 in. Cylinder heads and caps are...

Kidney latch coupling.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... New 2FSI female kidney latch coupler for high impulse-breaker applications has 27 times more contact surface with male half than a ball latch. It is designed for flows to 18.52 gpm at temperatures of -13[degrees] to 212[degrees] F in 34 in....

Portable diagnostic instrument.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... HPM420 series portable hand-held readout features two-line display for simultaneous readings from two variable inputs. It measures flow, pressure, pressure differential, temperature, speed, current, and voltage. High-speed data logging has...

Digital controller card.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... VT-HACD-1 digital amplifier accepts analog voltage/current and digital SSI or incremental feedback, with algorithms for controlling electrohydraulic drives. It can be used as a closedloop control card or command-value generator and is...

Magnetostrictive position sensors.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Temposonics G Series magnetostrictive position sensors are backward-compatible with existing L-Series and Tempo II Series sensors. Enhanced performance qualities include programming and diagnostic features, increased shock and vibration...

Foot switches.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... PX and PA foot switches are used for safety and automation on pneumatic assembly equipment. PA is uncovered; PX has high-impact plastic cover. This protective cover holds more than 80 Kg. Switches are available with slow or snap action contact...

Oil breather plugs.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Oil breather plugs with or without splash guards suit hydraulic power packs or applications with high airflow rates that result in rapid liquid volume changes. They resist solvents, oils, grease, and other chemical agents, and are available in...

Air valves.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... VA01 valves for vacuum applications are used in pick-and-place systems. Featuring 5 msec solenoid response time, 10-mm wide valves eliminate two three-way valves when centralized vacuum systems are used with part blow-off. Poppet control valve...

Dual relief valves.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Hydraulic screw-in cartridge valves condense machines' controls into single integrated circuit (manifold block) or incorporate valves into body of other components, such as motors. They are rated to 350 bar for flows to 50 lpm with internal...

Stainless-steel gauges.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... SGT gauges have dual English/metric scales with 1.6% full-scale accuracy in 212 in. dial sizes. Brass wetted parts and 304 stainless-steel housing offer chemical compatibility in ranges from full vacuum to 15,000 psi. They withstand...

Valve drivers.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Digital display proportional valve drivers are for use with proportional solenoid valves and allow users to accurately set up, diagnose, and monitor functions without external wiring. They are powered by signal from PLC, potentiometer, or other...

Cartridge-style flow regulators.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... JP02C two-port proportional flow regulators provide precise electrical control of hydraulic fluid flow at pressures to 210 bar. Pressurecompensated spool-type solenoid valves deliver a regulated flow proportional to the input solenoid current....

Electronic joysticks.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... JED electronic joysticks are dual-axis controls that drive mobile proportional and directional valves. They have direct-to-valve outputs with no external signal conditioning or amplifier boards and run on 9 to 32 Vdc. They come with output...

Solenoid valve.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... The 3835 2 or 3-way, 2-position direct pilot solenoid valve is a drop-in replacement for mounting. It is available in sizes from 0.6 to 3 mm in normally open and closed configurations and is rated for flows of 0.025 to 0.31 Cv and pressures to...

Compact air cylinders.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... RLQ series of compact cylinders integrates a locking mechanism and air cushions while maintaining short overall length for use in drop prevention, workpiece clamping, and emergency stopping. They are available in 32, 40, 50, and 63-mm bore...

Quick-acting couplings.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... High-pressure quick-acting couplings handle pressures to 60,000 psi. High-pressure and medium-pressure ports are standard. They are available in valved and non-valved versions. High-flow check valve design allows for minimal pressure drop....

Rodless band cylinder.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Ultran Band rodless cylinder seals mechanical piston/yoke connections. It is available in 18 to 63 mm bore sizes (inch available) with a standard stroke length to 3 m. It has a sealing efficiency rating of 100 sccm leakage. Features include...

Linear displacement transducers.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... GEMCO 953 Series Vmax LDTs are available in lengths from 1 to 300 in. for detecting movement down to 0.00006 in. Analog output signal (0 to 10 Vdc or 4 to 20 mA) updates measurement every msec. They feature a wide measuring range with...

Parking brake.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... EZTorque mechanical caliper parking brake delivers strong holding power with little operator effort. It is available in two sizes--commercial grade with double-backing plate and smaller consumer version. It delivers 80% mechanical efficiency...

Vacuum cup sealing rings.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Air-tight sealing rings can be changed rapidly in the field without disassembling entire system. Rubber sealing ring in 4 to 9 in. diameter sizes snaps into aluminum pad with machined groove and provides air-tight sealing. Inside safety sealing...

Rotary selector air valves.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Multi-port rotary selector valves are quiet replacements for solenoid valves. Single input can be switched between 2 to 6 output ports. They are available with detents for manual operation with a knob or without for automatic operation with a...

Twin-rod air cylinders.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Twin-rod cylinders achieve precise, non-rotating linear motion with less than 13[degrees] of rotation for rod alignment and eliminate rod endplay for guided motion. Rectangular body simplifies mounting and saves space. They offer twice the...

Hydraulic hoses.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Hoses target medium to high-pressure hydraulic applications with working pressures from 1000 to 5000 psi. They are constructed of three individual components that are chemically bonded: extruded seamless thermoplastic inner tube, two braids of...

Protective hose sleeves.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Woven textile hose sleeves protect the environment and operators from possible hydraulic leaks and spills, in addition to extending hose life. The sleeve has MSHA approval #IC-07/01. Under testing, sleeve showed an abrasion resistance life of...

Mini power units.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Compact dc hydraulic power units come in multiple configurations to suit a wide variety of applications. Pump options include Model G fixed-displacement or Model K pressure-balanced versions, both rated for 3000-psi service (3600 psi maximum)....

Flat-face hydraulic couplings.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... The FF Series of flat-face, dry-break couplings meets or exceeds the ISO 16028 standard and is rated for 5075-psi operating pressure for all sizes, connected and disconnected. Available in 14 to 1-in. sizes. Tuthill Coupling Group--Hansen...

Tear caps.(Useful Products)
March 1, 2006... Tear caps feature a side tab that tears away for easy removal. They fit more than 20 SAE and NPT thread sizes in sizes from 0.365 to 2.49 in. ID and 0.405 to 2.375 in. ID (NPT). They are made from low density polyethylene in lengths from 0.44...

Don't let your hoses do the twist: from the low end of the spectrum to the high, swivel joints can do everything from improving existing designs to making new designs possible.(COMPONENT BASICS)
March 1, 2006... Even the best hose assemblies can fail prematurely if adequate allowance for movement of machine elements is not provided. One effective solution uses swivel fittings to allow hoses to pivot, which prevents or reduces stress from bending,...

Internal pressure-compensating valves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Pressure-compensated proportional flow control valves use a single cartridge and internal compensation spool at full line pressure without need for external compensator. They come in two styles--EPFB priority (bypass) type with bypass port and...

Single-stage servovalves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... R-DDV single-stage, four-way flow control servovalves are available in four models with rated flows of 0.18 to 60 gpm for hydraulic systems and 0.5 to 136 scfm for pneumatic systems. Supply pressures reach 5000 psi. They require a 24 Vdc power...

Direct-operated valves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... D1FP and D1FP*S direct-operated proportional control valves feature high dynamics and maximum flow for use in high accuracy positioning of a hydraulic axis and for controlling force and velocity. Driven by VCD actuator, they reach frequency...

Proportional pneumatic valves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Single-stage, direct-acting proportional solenoid valves feature flow rates linearly proportional to input current. Flows reach 0.20 Cv over range of 25 to 70 psi with normal air flow rates of 4.2 scfm at 25 psig inlet. Typical power...

Digital proportional valves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Duplomatic pressure and directional controls feature optional onboard electronics or control cards in plug, DIN, or Eurocard configurations. Digital amplifier controls operating parameters from a personal computer, through a direct...

Servo throttling valve.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Final stage uni-directional servo throttling cartridge valve has pressure rating to 5000 psi in 50, 80, and 100 mm sizes. It installs in DIN 24342 cavity and controls hydraulic flows to 4000 gpm. Olmsted Products, (231) 929-1660,...

Proportional air valves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Proportional flow control valves feature 250 Hz frequency response with low hysteresis in nine orifice sizes from 0.32 to 0.625 in. for pressures to 120 psi Isolation diaphragm separates working fluid from coil and armature to limit fluid path...

Electrohydraulic servovalves.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... Jet-pipe electrohydraulic servovalves feature single-orifice reliability and high spool driving forces. They are designed to pass particles up to 250 [micro]m and feature flows to 40 gpm at pressures to 5000 psi. They have a 93% efficiency...

Proportional air valve.(Product Spotlight on Servo and Proportional Valves)
March 1, 2006... VP51 proportional valve has DeviceNet capabilities and provides command sign and feedback pressure. Glandless lightweight Teflon-coated spool valve technology allows valve to cycle 30 million times in a corrosion and water-resistant package. It...