Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from May 2003

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from May 2003

A case for efficient use of compressed air. (Guest Editorial).
May 1, 2003... The compressed air industry does a great job creating an awareness of how much compressed air costs. Compressor manufacturers, distributors, and consultants all provide auditing services to help users of compressed air get the most efficiency...

Sauer-Danfoss acquires Comatrol. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Sauer-Danfoss Inc., Chicago, has closed an agreement to purchase the majority interest in Comatrol, S.p.A., Reggio Emilia, Italy, a manufacturer of hydraulic cartridge valves and hydraulic integrated circuit manifolds. Founded in 1978, the...

Faster opens new headquarters, technical offices. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Faster, Maumee, Ohio, announced the opening of its new corporate headquarters and technical offices in Rviolta D'Adda, Italy, near Milan. The 18,000 sq-ft facility's opening coincides with an expansion of the company's technical department,...

Bailey announces expansion in India. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Bailey International Corp., Knoxville, Tenn., announced that construction is underway on a 70,000 sq-ft expansion of their Chennai, India production facility, which manufactures the company's Chief line of hydraulic cylinders. After expansion,...

Marzocchi expands its California facility. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Marzocchi Pumps USA recently opened a multiple pump assembly center, an expansion of their Valencia, Calif. headquarters. Every section of the pump groups produced at the assembly center can connect to sections of any other group, for maximum...

50 years ago.
May 1, 2003... From the August 1953 issue of Applied Hydraulics (the original title of H&P): Small power input develops 35 tons in manually operated machine High quality of finished pieces made by the "lost wax" or investment casting process,...

Yates teams with software manufacturer to improve processes. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Yates Industries Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich., a manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, will integrate advanced configuration software from Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Configuration Solutions into their operations. The integrated...

MTS Sensors Corp. (People).
May 1, 2003... MTS Sensors Corp., Cary, N.C., announced that Fred Emanie has been appointed to the newly formed position of mobile hydraulics manager. MTS recently established a mobile hydraulics market focus, geared toward off-highway machinery and equipment...

Integrated Technologies Inc. (People).
May 1, 2003... Integrated Technologies Inc., Mentor, Ohio, has named Tom McGuire senior applications engineer. McGuire holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering technology from Cleveland State University. He has more than 12 years of...

Anniversaries. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Entertron, Gasport, N.Y., is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1978, the company offered one of the first em bedded/board-level programmable logic controllers. The PLC marketplace at that time was focused mainly on large rack-style...

Show your awareness. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... H&P is conducting a series of brand-awareness studies for both the hydraulic and pneumatic markets. As a reader of the magazine, we'd like to know your thoughts on various manufacturers. Simply fill out the card bound into this issue and fax it...

Gems acquires Pressure Devices. (Industry News).
May 1, 2003... Gems Sensors Inc., Plainville, Conn., has acquired West Union, S.C.-based Pressure Devices Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of a wide selection of industrial pressure switches. Gems is a Danaher Corp. business and can be found online at...

ICUEE 2003 registration opens. (Industry News).
May 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. Over 800 manufacturers...

Report provides statistical info on fluid power products. (NFPA News).
May 1, 2003... The National Fluid Power Association represents 240 manufacturers of hydraulic and pneumatic products and systems, as well as related suppliers. Some fluid power industry statistical information can be found on the NFPA Web site at...

Helping out the manufacturing base. (Reader Profile).
May 1, 2003... Many engineers can joke that their true title should be "wearer of many hats," but Richard Windholz should officially have it printed on his business cards. Windholz works as a consulting engineer for Kansas State University's Advanced...

Testing an electrohydraulic motion-control system. (Motion Control).
May 1, 2003... To demonstrate the characteristics of a motion-control system, we will examine test results of a valve-controlled cylinder in a closed-loop, positional servomechanism, represented below. Otherwise known as a torque cell, the mechanism was...

Trash pick up goes high-tech. (Ideas & Applications).
May 1, 2003... McNeilus Truck, Dodge Center, Minn., is changing the way trash is collected. No, you won't get out of that weekly trek to the curb. But a new line of refuse trucks uses automatic functions to make trash collection more economical, which...

Actuator competes electromechanical counterparts. (Ideas & Applications).
May 1, 2003... Mnew hybrid actuator combines variable-speed electrical control with high-force hydraulics. M-Mac's self contained electrohydraulic actuators use a bidirectional, variable speed electric motor coupled to a high efficiency, bi-directional...

Tell management why energy efficiency is the way to go. (Pneumatic Systems).
May 1, 2003... Implementing an energy efficient project--pneumatic or otherwise--requires selling internal management on the idea. Here's how to craft a credible proposal. Often, the resistance by chief financial officers and other upper management...

Rotary actuators put the go into flow: pneumatic actuators provide a safe, simple, accurate, and reliable means of control at water works plants. (Pneumatic Systems).
May 1, 2003... Pressure from the Safe Drinking Water Act now forces water works engineers and plant managers to scrutinize all elements of their potable water treatment operations, and none is more important than filtering. Filtered water must meet mandated...

The air car: wave of the future or phony? (Pneumatic Systems).
May 1, 2003... A French inventor, Guy Negre, has developed what is being called the "air car"--a vehicle that runs on compressed air. The vehicle website (www.theaircar.com) touts the concept as, "one of the major discoveries of the new century." The engine...

Bosch Rexroth Corp. (People).
May 1, 2003... Hoffman Estates, Ill. announced that Brnst Iseli has a assumed the role of vice president and general manager for the company's Linear Motion and Assembly. Technologies business unit. Earlier this year he was named vice president-marketing for...

Norgren finds a true "survivor". (Pneumatic Systems).
May 1, 2003... IMI Norgren Inc., Littleton, Cola., celebrated its 75th anniversary last year by launching a nationwide hunt for the oldest Norgren component being used in manufacturing. The winner was FLD-USA, a Pennsylvania manufacturer of friction...

Pneumatic cylinders. (Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Bore: 1 1/2 to 6 in. Rating: 200 psi FEATURES * Corrosion-resistant tubing * Magnetic piston for position sensing * Oversized rod options * TM-1 series matches NFPA rod thread and port dimensions Bosch...

Compressed air component. (Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Ports: 1/2 and 3/8-in. NPT Flow: to 1.70 [m.sup.3]min (60 scfm) FEATURES * 4 connection points for pipe, hose, or quick-release fittings * 1 connection eliminates leaks, lost energy * Automatic drain with manual...

Positioning controller. (Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * 2-axis servopneumatic positioning unit * Windows-based programming * Compliant with DIN 66025 * Expanded graphing capability * Interface modules use CAN network Festo Corp. (631) 435-0800 ...

Compact slides. (Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Sizes: 8, 10, 14, 20, and 32 mm Maximum stroke: 3 in. FEATURES * Incorporates twin switch slots for flush installation of switches * Eliminates need for collars, brackets, and target kits * High-capacity...

Vacuum generator manifold. (Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Vacuum levels: 27 in.Hg Flows: 60 scfm FEATURES * Accommodates up to six single or multi-stage vacuum generators * O-ring connections facilitate generator attachment * Options include blow-off module, low-vacuum...

Miniature vacuum pumps. (Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Vacuum level: 26 in. Hg Air usage: 0.74 to 1.27 scfm Supply pressure: 72 psi FEATURES * Mounts directly to vacuum cup for instant attach and release * Uses compressed air logic and components * Made from...

Pneumatic controls. (Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Two series of pneumatic two-hand controls * Meets OSHA 1910 Sec. 217 requirements * Press control packages available as standalone models * Protect operators * Turnkey package for presses up to 3-ton capacity...

Rightsize your electric motors: here's a straightforward approach for matching the size of the electric motor to that of the hydraulic pump. (Motors).
May 1, 2003... Contrary to popular opinion, bigger is not always better. A case in point is the electric motor. Pump users tend to want a little extra power, "just in case." That's why automobile manufacturers can still sell cars with 300 hp engines, when the...

What has your distributor done for you lately? (Distribution).
May 1, 2003... Gone are the days when distributors carved out their niche in such areas as bearings and power transmission, while leaving fluid power products and services to specialty shops. Budget reductions. Staff shortages. Accelerated production...

Telescopic cylinders go the extra distance: mobile applications often call for cylinders with long strokes but small profiles--ideal conditions for telescoping cylinders. (Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... The great advantage telescopic cylinders have over any other type of cylinders is their ability to provide an exceptionally long stroke from a compact initial package. The collapsed length of typical telescopic cylinders varies between 20% to...

Tie-rod cylinders. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Maximum pressure: 3000 psi Bore sizes: 2 to 4 in. Strokes: 4 to 60 in. FEATURES * 4-year limited warranty * Suitable for construction and agricultural applications * Custom sizes available * Large...

Linear actuation for mobile equipment. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Bore sizes: starting at 1 in. FEATURES * Suitable for pneumatic door openers, life gate actuators * Lubrication-free * Teflon seals * Low profile Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc. (773) 685-6800 ...

Heavy-duty cylinders. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 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 standard options offered (oversized piston rod, stroke adjuster, rod boot) * Extra...

Economical cylinders. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Bore sizes: 2 to 5 in. Rods: 1 1/3 to 2 in. Strokes: 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20, 24, 30 in. FEATURES * Specifically designed for agricultural equipment use * Economical, available from stock * Ductile iron...

Air cylinders. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Bare sizes: 1 in. Strokes: 1 or 2 in. Materials: Brass or stainless steel FEATURES * Clevis-style tail * Supports couples induced by side loads or stress reversals * Long life * Fully rebuildable ...

Rolling diaphragm air cylinders. (New Products: Focus on Mobile Cylinders).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Pressure: to 145 psi Strokes: 1.8 to 4.2 in. Operating temperatures: ..75[degrees] to 400[degrees] F FEATURES * Suitable for use in brake systems, accumulators, and impact absorbers * Virtually frictionless...

Return-line filter. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Flow capacity: 25 to >300 gpm FEATURES * Ports to 2 1/2-in. SAE flange * Inside to outside flow pain * 22 psi bypass available * 11 stock sizes * Tank-top mounted Universal Hydraulics International...

Position sensors. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Installed height: 28.5 mm FEATURES * Available with voltage, current, start/stop, and pulse-width-modulated outputs * 8 mm pressure pipe * 55-mm-diameter electronics housing * Can be mounted inside an actuator...

OEM transducer. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Pressure range: to 7500 psi Temp range: -40[degrees] to 120[degrees]C Output signals: 1 to 5 Vdc, 0.5 to 4.5 Vdc (radiometric) FEATURES * Polysilicon thin-film sensor welded to stainless steel connection *...

Industrial power packs. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Flow rate: 0.4 to 10.0 gpm Pressure: to 3000 psi Output: 1/2 to 20 hp at 1750 rpm FEATURES * 2.5-to 20-gal steel reservoirs * Optional bar manifolds with up to six valve stations * Fluid level indicator...

Air-operated injector pump. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Output pressure: 3000 psi with 120 psi air Minimum air pressure: 40 psi Ratio: 25:1 from air inlet to liquid outlet FEATURES * Self-contained injector * Requires no priming * 1/8-in. piston provides precise...

Hydraulic filters. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Models: 4 spin-on, 13 low-pressure, 6 medium-pressure, 6 high-pressure FEATURES * Cellulose or glass elements * Variety of port configurations (inline, dual head, in tank, base mount, L-type, duplex, inline T-type,...

Explosion-proof gauges. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * CSA and UL listed * NEMA 4x weather-proof Class 1, Division 11 * NEMA 7 explosion-proof Division 1 Class 1 and 11 * SPDT/DPDT switching * Wide adjustable dead-brand Mid-West Instrument (586) 254-6500...

Hygroscopic breathers. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Desiccant extracts water vapor from air * Microglass pleated filter removes particles down to 1 micron * Increases oil and oil filter life * Reduces abrasive wear, downtime, repair costs * Eliminates chemical...

Cylinders. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Capacity: 2 to 30 tons Styles: single action, low profile, pull, flat body FEATURES * Removable threaded plunger adapter * Chrome-plated ram eliminates scratching and corrosion * One-piece steel ram stopper ...

Servo-proportional valves. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Flaw: 6,10,15 gpm FEATURES * Direct-drive * Low hysteresis and high-respons sensitivity * On-board electronics simplifies set-up * Returns to spring-centered position in case of power failure Moog Inc. ...

Tube/pipe bending kits. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Bends 14 to 2-in. (OD) tube, 14 to 2-in, pipe * Contains everything needed for easy set-up and use * Steel carrying case * Metric tooling accessory kit is available Parker Hannifin Corp., Tube Fittings...

Analog output modules. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Converts instructions from Profibus network controllers to dc voltage or current signals * Controls valves, drives, motors, and variable-level devices * 12-bit D/A converter * SPC3 ASIC communicates with Profibus...

Tube benders. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Consistent bends from 1[degrees] to 180[degrees] * Bends carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum up to 1 in. * Metal storage box * Units available: manually operated, or electrically operated (110 or 230 V...

Pressure gauge. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Self-contained movement dampening capsule * 316L stainless steel wetted surfaces and seamless bourdon tube * Pressure ranges from 30-in. hg vacuum through 11,600 psi * Minimizes shock and vibration * Easy...

Industrial pressure transmitters. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Range: 0 to 15 psi (gauge); 0 to 2000 psi (absolute) FEATURES * Stainless steel housing * Compatible for many industrial liquids and gases * 1/4-in. NPT thread connection Sensortechnics Inc. (925) 833-7841...

Silicone housing seals. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * Round cross-section holds tolerances * Available in 20-80 durometer range * Color-matched to customer specs * Seal leak paths Apple Rubber Products Inc. (800) 828-7745 www.applerubber.com Circle...

Small plugs. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * For hydraulic and pneumatic applications * Available in all standard SAE J514 sizes * Buna 0-rings * Installed in straight thread ports with 120 taper at opening EPCO products Inc. (800) 879-3726 ...

Hydraulic vane pumps. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Speed: 600 to 3600 rpm Pressure: to 4650 psi FEATURES * Designed for high/low circuit operation * Cam displacement, shaft, porting options * Double and triple pumps available Dension Hydraulics (937)...

Pressure sensors. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Dynamic ranges: to 20 k psi Resonant frequencies: to 500 kHz Sensitivities: to 100 mV/psi FEATURES * Quartz sensing elements * Hermetically sealed housings * Laser-welded flush diaphragms PCB...

Bolt-on temperature sensors. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Maximum temperature: 550[degrees] FEATURES * Monitors equipment in place * Tests thermal characteristics of new designs * Adds thermal monitoring capabilities to existing machinery * Rugged lead-wire connections...

Rotary torque sensor. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... FEATURES * For shaft diameters 2.5 to 15 in. * For shaft speeds up to 2500 rpm * Pre-calibrated * Clamps onto drivetrain * Resistant to oil, dirt, and water Wireless Data Corp., a Sensotec Co. (800) 227-8190 ...

Tight-fitting sealing plugs. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Unified plug sizes: 7/16-81.-20 to 1 5/8-in.-12 Metric plug sizes: M10x1 to M33x2 BSP thread sizes: G 1/4 to G2 Materials of construction: HDPE (unified), Nylon 6 (metric and BSP) FEATURES * Tight Fit sealing...

I/O machine controllers. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... SPECS Power source: 9 to 16 V FEATURES * Replaces traditional relay logic to drive on/off solenoids or proportional solenoids * Packages can include valve drivers, safety interlocks with sequencing isolated timed power for 12-V...

Bi-lingual fluid power. (Web Wire).
May 1, 2003... It's still in development, hut Oleohidr aulica Online, located at oleohidrauticaonline.com, intends to be a leader in fluid power portals hi both Spanish and English. Tim situ priority seems to deal with on-line courses (E-Learning), but the...

Miniature pneumatics. (Web Wire).
May 1, 2003... Users of miniature pneumatic products will find much useful information at www.pneutronics.com the Web site for Parker Hannifin's Pneutronics Div. The site has information on markets served, as well as details on a variety of pneumatic solenoid...

No laughing matter. (Web Wire).
May 1, 2003... Did you hear the one abut the engineer the mathematician and the physicist? If not be sure to check out the engineering humor at www.workjoke.com/projoke27.htm. There are jokes divided into other job categories too but of course we stuck with...

What is the meaning of Web Wire? (Web Wire).
May 1, 2003... Have you ever pondered any of the eternal philosophical questions? (Who are we? What is consciousness? What is the meaning of life?) Fluid power consultant Bud Trinkel suggests the website at pespmol.vub.ac.be/DEFAUL.html. as a starting place....

Compute this! (Web Wire).
May 1, 2003... Delta Computer Systems is a company specializing in industrial electronic controls. Their interesting site, at www.deltacompsys.com contains details on their high-performance hydraulic motion control and serve motion control systems. Among the...