Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from May 2004

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from May 2004

We're making a difference!(Guest Editorial)
May 1, 2004... All of us in the pneumatics industry care about education. We care what our next generation of engineers and managers are learning (and not learning) in school. And we care about how and what people can learn about our technology when they are...

Former H & P editor dies.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... Tobi Goldoftas, who served as chief editor of Hydraulics & Pneumatics for 20 years, died on April 14, 2004, following a brief illness. He is survived by a son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. He and his late wife, Ann, who died last...

Diagnostic system slashes machine setup time.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... Manufacturers continue to seek ways to reduce setup, changeover, and unscheduled machine downtime from their suppliers. To meet this demand, Festo Corp., Hauppauge, N.Y., now offers a systems diagnostic approach featuring a wide selection of...

New and improved facilities.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... Husco International has received more than $500 million in new contracts for programs in each of the company's major divisions and subsidiaries. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In anticipation of the new business, Husco expanded its Whitewater,...

Marmon/Keystone Canada Inc.(Company News)
May 1, 2004... Douglas W. Williams, president and general manager of Marmon/Keystone Canada Inc., Burlington, Ont., will retire as of May 31. David H. Rombough, executive vice president, will succeed Williams. Williams joined the company in 1978 as...

International Motion Control.(Company News)
May 1, 2004... International Motion Control, Buffalo, purchased Turn-Act Inc., a Louisville-based manufacturer of automation products. Turn-Act's products include pneumatic actuators, slides, thrusters, multiple motion actuators, and air transfer systems....

Gems Sensors Inc.(Company News)
May 1, 2004... Connecticut-based fluid sensor manufacturer Gems Sensors Inc., acquired Venture Measurement Co. LLC, Spartanburg, S.C., a maker of level and flow-measurement products.

Hydraulic fluid guide.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... Hydraulic Fluids: A Guide to Selection, Test Methods, and Use is a recent book release from ASME Press. It explores a broad range of hydraulic fluid concerns, from selection to maintenance and disposal. The book is geared toward engineers...

Heated competition last in a series.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... In the last several issues, H & P has featured students from Norwell High School in Norwell, Mass., as their team participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition. H & P recently asked team member Jeffrey Begin how the competition went. "The...

50 years ago ...(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... From the May 1954 issue of Applied Hydraulics (the original title of H & P). High pressure hydraulic control on mobile equipment With a hydraulic drive on a winch, constant torque can be applied regardless of the winch's turning speed....

Cylinder, sensor manufacturers find benefits in working together.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... A partnership between cylinder manufacturer Eaton Hydraulics, Eden Prairie, Minn., and sensor producer Balluff Inc., Florence, Ky., helps Eaton provide high-efficiency hydraulic systems. Under a special agreement, the two companies...

What goes up shouldn't come down ... too fast.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... Most of us take elevators for granted. Sure, we may comment about them taking too long to arrive, or make jokes about an occasional bump or other small glitch. But serious accidents involving elevators are extremely rare. Much of the credit for...

Directional valves are key to sprayer success.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... Brazilian equipment manufacturer Jacto has 55 years of experience developing machines that meet, and often exceed, their customers' expectations. For this reason, Jacto has the majority of the Brazilian market share and also sells its products...

Wall poster provides hose pressure recommendations.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... Reading the working pressure printed on a hydraulic hose can be misleading--often times, it is the fitting that limits the working pressure of the assembly. Coming to the rescue is a free 33-2 22-in. poster from Dixon Valve & Coupling Co.,...

New controls make old presses safer.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... Safety concerns continue to rise in prominence, and perhaps in no other industry is this more relevant than that of metal stamping. The widespread use of hydraulics in stamping operations gives added importance to this concern. In the U....

Get to know Ethernet.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... WAGO Corp., Germantown, Wis., has scheduled a free three-day seminar covering industrial Ethernet control. Attendees will receive an overview of industrial Ethernet components and protocols, learn about the company's hardware, participate in a...

Flow meter fundamentals.(Ideas & Applications)
May 1, 2004... Unlike pressure gages, which have been permanently mounted on the vast majority of hydraulic and pneumatic systems for decades, flow meters continue to be used primarily for testing to assess the performance of a system. Systems requiring...

Effects of pressure on the servoloop.(Motion Control)
May 1, 2004... As explained last month, electrohydraulic control using servo or proportional valves usually is achieved with a power unit that delivers constant pressure to the valve. Last month described a test system that used only a pressure-compensated...

Book teaches servohydraulics.
May 1, 2004... Designer's Handbook for Electrohydraulic Servo and Proportional Systems covers electrohydraulic system design, control, and analysis by teaching principles and reviewing practical problems from the real world. Much of the information updates...

A perfect couple: pneumatic quick-acting couplings provide a fast, convenient way to repeatedly connect and disconnect air lines.(Pneumatic Systems)
May 1, 2004... If a hose or tube in a pneumatic system will be connected and disconnected more frequently than once a week, then chances are a quick-acting coupling will pay for itself rapidly by improving productivity. Although simple in concept, many...

Module provides deceleration control.(Pneumatic Systems News)
May 1, 2004... Although deceleration circuits have been used for years in hydraulic applications, they have found only marginal success in pneumatic circuits. But that may change. Peninsular Cylinder Co., Roseville, Mich., has developed a new control module...

High-speed servopneumatic control.(Pneumatic Systems News)
May 1, 2004... Enfield Technologies LLC, Trumbull, Conn., offers a high-speed servopneumatic system to control position, pressure, force, flow, or velocity in open- or closed-loop systems. The LS Systems consists of a dedicated device controller and a...

Go with the high flow.(Pneumatic Systems Focus on FRLs)
May 1, 2004... Here's a look at some FRLs available from the marketplace. The chart at right lists filter manufacturers and specifications. The A50 Series of compressed air preparation units allows flow rates to 35,000 lpm. The pressure regulator features...

Rough 'n tough.(Pneumatic Systems Focus on FRLs)
May 1, 2004... D-Series air preparation units come in three body sizes and offer flow capacities from 24 to 406 scfm. Inch and metric series are available with port sizes from 1/8 to 1 in. NPT. Choice of individual units (FRLs) or factory-assembled...

Cut back on piping and fittings.(Pneumatic Systems Focus on FRLs)
May 1, 2004... A series of filter-regulator-manifolds provides up to eight filtered and regulated air outlets from a single air inlet. The easy-to-connect manifold reduces the amount of piping and fittings. The units provide full flow to each port, allowing...

Get smart.(Pneumatic Systems Focus on FRLs)
May 1, 2004... Smart FRLs interface with ASi Fieldbus technology for fault finding and monitoring operation of air preparation equipment. Available with local and remote diagnostic capabilities, up to 31 FRLs can be connected per ASi network, allowing large...

Filters, air line.(Pneumatic Systems Focus on FRLs)
May 1, 2004... Type Element Filters, air line Bowl Canister Coalescing Porous Metal metal screen Adsens Technology, Inc. * Airtec...

Air cylinders.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... NFPA interchangeable air cylinders feature oversized nonmetallic, composite rod bearings for maximum load support, wear resistance, and high cycle life. Bore sizes range from 1.5 to 6 in., and strokes go to 48 in. Cylinder heads and caps are...

Pneumatic and electronic control devices.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... Catalog CILCAT-0703 gives detail on Minimatic valves, cylinders, fittings, modular components, pushbuttons, stainless-steel cylinders, electronic manifold cards, circuit analyzers, and prepiped circuit manifold subplates. Includes...

Vacuum pump.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... The P3010 vacuum pump features Coax ejector technology. Based on a multi-stage concept for creating vacuum with compressed air, the technology integrates the internal components of a multi-stage vacuum pump into a vacuum cartridge. The P3010...

Air dryer.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... The DS-3 Series dryer features two built-in filter types. Grade T can filter liquid and solid particles of 1 [micro]m, and has a minimum residual oil content of 0.5 ppm. Grade A can filter liquid and solid particles of 0.01 [micro]m with...

Push-fit fittings.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... Push-fit fittings and pipe connect a compressed air source to takeoff points for point-of-use equipment. Compressed air systems can be installed quickly with no need to prepare threaded pipe or apply solvent. The fittings are made of tough...

Mini pneumatic products.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... Catalog describes more than 12,000 products including fittings, tubing, mufflers, manifolds, valves, filters, and accessories. Material choices include brass, stainless steel, and numerous plastics. Also included are a chemical compatibility...

Plug-in pneumatic valves.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... VS Series plug-in subbase valves consist of a glandless spool and sleeve valve with a life of 200 million cycles and a soft seal spool valve offering high flow rates. Available in 18 or 26-mm widths, the valves feature three different port...

Solenoid-operated valves.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... Dash 1 solenoid-operated valves oscillate at over 160 Hz using conventional electronics and have reached speeds of 500 Hz with enhanced electronics. Flow rates go to 4.75 scfm, and valve spacing on a manifold is only 0.63 in. The valves are...

Push-to-connect fittings.(Pneumatic Systems Products)
May 1, 2004... A line of push-to-connect pneumatic fittings allows instant connections by simply pushing the tube into the fitting. Available in a range of body designs and configurations from 1/8 to 1/2 in. in diameter, the fittings come in both poly and...

Systems approach boosts capabilities: design and operation trends in agricultural equipment place tough demands on hydraulic drive systems and controls.(Agriculture)
May 1, 2004... Today's farms are managed like large businesses. In the continuing trend to improve productivity and increase yield, equipment is pushed to the limit. At the same time, precision agriculture is changing traditional practices. So new machines...

Keep on rolling.(Mobile Hydraulics)
May 1, 2004... In the past, radial-piston motors with a through drive were practically the only type of motor used on road rollers and pavers with tandem rollers and a split drum. The right configuration of hydraulic motors or the use of a flow divider...

Manifolds.
May 1, 2004... Type Service Single piece Manifolds Pneumatic Hydraulic Laminar...

Electrohydraulic blocks.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Standard and custom blocks integrate electrohydraulic valves into properly machined manifolds with full assembling and connections. The modular meccano design of valves--cartridge, subplate, or screw-in--eases assembly and helps with operation...

Differential pressure switch.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... An insert-type differential pressure switch is available for hydraulic filter monitoring. The basic design comes with four differential pressure settings and screws into a 3/4-16 boss in a filter head. The single-wire design is suitable for...

Electronically controlled piston pump.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... An electronically controlled version has been added to a line of medium-duty, open-circuit, axial piston, variable-displacement hydraulic pumps. The XL-75 comes with electronic controls for pressure limiting, load sensing, displacement control,...

3,000-psi accumulators.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... A line of 3,000-psi accumulators features a built-in 4:1 safety factor and bladder-type design. They can handle capacities from 1 quart to 15 gallons and meet ASME specifications. The accumulators are interchangeable with most widely used...

Pumps, valves.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... A range of standard pumps includes axial piston pumps noted for their small size, high speed, and efficiency; radial piston pumps that can handle continuous operating pressures to 1,000 bar/15,000 psi; and pumps that can be combined with a gear...

Needle valves.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... F10 Series forged-body needle valves feature working pressures to 10,000 psig. Straight, 90[degrees], and oblique angle configurations are available. A nonrotating hardened needle provides positive shutoff. Additional features include...

Differential pressure transmitter.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... The Model 831 D stainless-steel transmitter offers true wet-to-wet differential measurement in pressure ranges from 0 to 6 psid through 0 to 500 psid. A 4 to 20-mA output is standard with a 12 to 30-Vdc power supply. The transmitter is...

Pushbutton, safety couplings.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Pushbutton quick-acting couplings are sleeveless and designed with a durable construction that resists scratches and impacts. The pushbutton mechanism provides a long, leak-free life, as well as easy one-hand operation. Safety couplings use a...

Mini proximity sensors.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Two lines of miniature inductive sensors target automation equipment with limited mounting space. The IT line are 6.5 mm in diameter and have smooth bodies that measure 30-mm long. The IE line are 8 mm in diameter with 30-mm threaded body...

One-piece V-cup seal.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Redesigned one-piece V-cup seals provide long seal life, as well as less manufacturing and assembly. Used in outboard motor fuel assemblies, the seals are made of a special, fuel-resistant fluoroelastomer material that can withstand the...

Custom manifold block.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... A custom manifold block (CMB) provides safety and improves brake performance in agricultural trailer applications. Standard cartridge valves make up the CMB configuration, which includes accumulators, filter, and pressure switches; solenoid...

Engineered connectors.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Engineered connectors feature one-piece construction (no brazing). Bar stock construction allows a full wrench pad, required for installation in tight spaces. High tensile strength and hardness allow for high-pressure holding capacity. The...

Motion controllers.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... RMC70 Series motion controllers are designed for one and two-axis systems. The first version, the RMC75S-MA1, targets linear motion control and includes RS232/485 serial communications and interfaces to the following absolute position...

Joysticks.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... An expanded line of joysticks meets a wider range of mobile machinery requirements by offering more interchangeable base and grip options. The line includes mini-rollers and mini-rockers for light-duty machines and chest packs to standard,...

Water-compatible seal material.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Disogrin 7695, a proprietary polyurethane compound, is compatible with mineral oils and water, solving seal problems associated with water degradation. The compound is also compatible with vegetable-based hydraulic fluids. It is resistant to...

Lightweight pumps.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... TDS hydraulic pumps use a variable displacement, axial piston design, and come in three displacement sizes: 10, 13, and 18 cc/rev. They are rated for input speeds from 600 to 3,600 rpm and provide flows to 17.1 gpm (64.8 lpm). Features include...

Digital pressure gauge.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... A 4.5-in. Ashcroft digital pressure gauge, part of the Digigauge family, features easy battery replacement. The gauge comes apart with a quick twist of the front ring, and once the batteries are installed, the gauge can be hand-tightened to fit...

Adjustable guarding.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Modular T-slotted aluminum framing saves assembly time, is easy to configure, and is constructed using simple hand tools. The T-slot is suitable for mounting other safety components, such as light curtains and safety switches. More than 4,000...

Hydraulic filters, strainers.(Useful Literature)
May 1, 2004... Catalog FPA-04 highlights 31 new products and details a range of hydraulic filters, strainers, tank accessories, and pressure gauges. Provides specification tables, performance curves, photos, and dimensional data. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Extreme hose.(Useful Literature)
May 1, 2004... Bulletin 4480-B90-US spotlights 791TC Extreme hose designed for high-pressure applications to 6,000 psi. Outlines additional features and specifications, such as Neoprene synthetic rubber inner tube, high-tensile steel wire reinforcement, and...

Sealing plugs.(Useful Literature)
May 1, 2004... Brochure describes plugs for sealing auxiliary drilled holes. The plugs feature blowout pressures exceeding 40,000 psi, come in metric and inch sizes, and require no hole tapping or reaming. Special sizes also available. [ILLUSTRATION...

Hydraulic filters.(Useful Literature)
May 1, 2004... Catalog describes entire offering of low, medium, and high-pressure hydraulic filters and accessories. Provides specifications and drawings, as well as company and application information. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MP Filtri Circle...

Improvisational engineering.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... Check out the "Improvisers" link at www.sneakyuses.com, to find out all about creative ways of making complex things out of everyday objects. James Bond fans will be amused by some actual devices used by the British in WWII, and the story of...

Parts is parts.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... Fluid power consultant Bud Trinkel suggested www.industrialquicksearch.com, which is a large directory-type site that covers most every type of product you can think of, from industrial vacuum cleaners to steel shelving. There also seems to be...

The endless campaign.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... How many more months do we have until the presidential election? If you're not already tired of the election ads, you might want to visit www.factcheck.org. Run by a nonpartisan consumer advocate organization, FactCheck offers updates...

All pneu again.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... The Colorado-based pneumatic gurus at Norgren have redesigned and relaunched the site, at www.norgren.com. Included in the mix are 2D and 3D CAD downloads and a Web store area, complete with real-time prices and availability. [ILLUSTRATION...

Coming to America.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... Walther Prazision Canada recently announced that it is the new North American agent for Eckerle hydraulic pumps and Wessel-Hydraulik directional control valves. A look at the homepages www.wessel-hydraulik.de and www.eckerle.com reveal...

Stop faking it.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... We were intrigued by the "spot the fake smile" test, located at www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/index.shtml. Simply watch 20 short video clips of people smiling, and determine which are real and which are fake. It may sound...

Integration.(Web Wire)
May 1, 2004... Another newly redesigned site, www.burkert-usa.com, belongs to Burkert, a leading provider of integrated fluid control systems. Users can now quickly find product, company, application, distributor and support information through this new...

New series of rotary and linear position transducers for DeviceNET[R] enabled networks.(Position Measurement Technology)
May 1, 2004... New from Celesco is a series of easy-to-install rotary and linear position transducers designed to accommodate DeviceNET[R]-enabled networks. Ideally suited to industrial applications, this series of transducers transmit 16-bit "absolute"...

Encoder-based miniature transducer for high-acceleration testing.(Position Measurement Technology)
May 1, 2004... Small, precise, durable, and easy to install, Celesco's MT2E miniature cable-extension position transducer has been specifically designed to meet the high acceleration demands of the aeronautic and automotive industries. [ILLUSTRATION...

Short to medium range precision position sensor for OEM applications.(Position Measurement Technology)
May 1, 2004... Compact, versatile, and precise, the Celesco Z115 Cable Extension Transducer is designed for measurement ranges from 2" to 100". Utilizing a spring-loaded cable reel in tandem with a precision potentiometer, the Z115 makes consistently reliable...

Small and durable linear potentiometer for industrial applications.(Position Measurement Technology)
May 1, 2004... The Celesco CLP Series linear potentiometer offers superior performance over a wide range of industrial applications, with a life span up to 10 million cycles. The dual combination of felt and O-ring seals further ensures the CLP's longevity...