Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from November 2006

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from November 2006

More reliable fluid power components?(Editor's Page)
November 1, 2006... On October 31, I moderated a panel discussion on reliability testing of hydraulic components. I had never moderated a panel discussion before, so I had visions that my role would be to keep discussions from becoming too heated. Needless to say,...

Learn to ride the PID seesaw: proportional integral derivative control can easily be understood through simple analogies.(ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL)
November 1, 2006... When explaining operation of complex equipment, such as an electrohydraulic closed-loop position control, different approaches are adopted depending upon who the explanation is aimed at. Such explanations tend to fall into one of two...

Make the right connections: among the basic elements of virtually every hydraulic system is a series of fittings for connecting tube, pipe, and hose to pumps, valves, actuators, and other components.(COMPONENT BASICS)
November 1, 2006... If the components within hydraulic systems never had to be removed, connections could be brazed or welded to maximize reliability. However, it is inevitable that connections must be broken to allow servicing or replacing components, so...

Clean air at the right pressure: with a continuing trend away from lubricated pneumatic systems, the familiar term F-R-L (filter-regulator-lubricator) may become just F-R.(AUTOMATE WITH AIR)
November 1, 2006... Compressed air is a safe, clean, and convenient form of energy. But unregulated or improper pressure settings can result in increased compressed air demand, resulting in higher energy consumption. Excessive pressure can also increase equipment...

Electronic proportional regulator.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... P3HP pressure regulator quickly and accurately adjusts and maintains set output pressure regardless of flow in response to an electronic control signal. It eliminates inconsistencies caused by time, cycling, input, backpressure, or pressure and...

Compact FRLs.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... Compact O7 series FRLs remove liquid and solid particles down to 5 [micro]m. Micro fog lubricator provides airline lubrication to one or more air-driven devices. Push-to-lock adjusting knob increases tamper resistance. They are available in 18...

Air preparation units.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... MS-series air preparation service units feature pressure regulators, on/off and soft-start valves, filters, dryers, sensors, and lubricators. They are rated for flows to 22,000 lpm and offer remote-controlled pressure monitoring and...

Modular air preparation unit.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... AS3 FRL includes accessories such as shut-off valves and distribution blocks. It is 63-mm wide and offers flows to 184 scfm with 38 and 12 in. NPT, and G38 and G12 ports with pressures to 232 psi. It operates in temperatures from 14[degrees] to...

Manifold mounted pressure regulators.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... R-and PR-6000 pressure regulators mount directly on pneumatic circuit boards or manifold subplates. Two models are available--adjustable precision with 20-turn adjustment range from 0.5 to 100 psi, and preset precision pressure regulator...

Die-cast aluminum FRL.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... Modular air preparation system is made of black anodized, die cast aluminum for corrosion resistance. It is offered in port sizes from 1/8 to 1 NPT and comes with 5 [micro]m filters and 1 [micro]m mister separator for pressures from 5 to 125...

Pneumatic control FRLs.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... Cast aluminum FRLs come in port sizes from 18 to 12 in. NPT. Regulators maintain accuracy greater than 0.2 psig for air flows to 120 scfm. Filters are rated for 5, 25, and 50 [micro]m. Lubricators are safe and long-lasting and offer adjustable...

Two-stage pressure regulators.(SPOTLIGHT ON FRLs)
November 1, 2006... PRD2 two-stage pressure regulators are small and lightweight, offering high corrosion resistance and repeatability. They control output pressures from 0 to 20 psig. Maximum rated inlet supply pressure is 500 psig. They maintain constant output...

Electrohydraulic control mixes it up.(Ideas & Applications)
November 1, 2006... Elastomers and natural and synthetic rubbers distinguish themselves from other plastics by their high elasticity. Duplomatic has developed an electronic control for a series of open mixing machines manufactured by Meccaniche Moderne SpA,...

PTO valves prevent accidents.(Ideas & Applications)
November 1, 2006... A new panel/dash mounted PTO (power takeoff) valve from Mead Fluid Dynamics, has a safety interlock to prevent accidental engagement of the PTO pump which can cause severe accidents. Power takeoffs are used in on- and off-highway equipment...

How low can your cylinders go?(Ideas & Applications)
November 1, 2006... Mobile hydraulic equipment often must work in extreme environments--in the blazing sun of desert-like conditions or subzero temperatures of the arctic. It's under these frigid conditions where some steels can become brittle. If hydraulic...

Electrohydraulics in Parison control.(Ideas & Applications)
November 1, 2006... Parison control is a well-known process in plastic blow-molding machines to achieve the optimum and uniform wall thickness of continuously extruded profiles. It is used to obtain hollow items, as plastic bottles, tanks etc., whose thickness can...

As big as it gets: Canada's huge tar sands mine requires big equipment to do the work--and that means big hydraulics.(MINING)
November 1, 2006... Energy is big business nowadays, and sometimes it takes a big machine to do big business. When the price of oil began climbing toward $50/barrel in 2005, more attention turned toward a different type of petroleum resource--tar sands (also...

Developing a model for motor leakage.(Motion Control)
November 1, 2006... To simulate the effects of leakage resistance on low-speed stability, a suitable mathematical model is needed. The model must be consistent with actual hardware, and it evolved from test data collected from a motor at the Fluid Power Institute,...

Portable hydraulic testers.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Flo-tech hydraulic testers simultaneously measure pressure, flow, and temperature for fast diagnostic troubleshooting of stationary or mobile systems. They are accurate, compact, and self-contained. PFM6 Flo-check digital hydraulic test unit...

Tapered roller bearings.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... High-carbon, chromium steel tapered roller bearings offer dimensional stability under heavy loads, long life in harsh environments, durable steel cage, and interchangeability with other bearings. They are available in 15 to 240 mm or 0.59 to...

Air system maintenance.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Free training CD is offered in English and Spanish and details common maintenance functions for rotary screw compressors, refrigerated and desiccant dryers, filters, and drains. Instructional video, voice over, and graphics illustrate necessary...

Oil analysis service.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Four-in-One oil analysis determines oil cleanliness, including particle count, water content, and viscosity. Samples are categorized as normal (system operating within established parameter and requires no immediate action), caution (system...

Portable hydraulic power packs.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Portable Power Pack Systems produce outlet pressure to 30,000 psi from 100 psi shop air for mobile hydraulic applications. Air driven, stainless-steel systems are compact--12 x 16 x 20 in., lightweight, and require no electrical power....

Chip collector magnets.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Plastalloy magnets capture metal fillings, chips, and ferrous materials that could damage hydraulic components. They operate in temperatures to 150[degrees] F, are oil resistant, and suit extreme fluid recirculation. They are magnetized by...

Chemical dispensing system.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... DrumQuik PRO chemical dispensing system provides safe, easy, and economic extraction of chemicals from drums, jerry cans, and other bulk transfer containers and reduces spills, contains hazardous fumes, and increases safety. The easy-to-use,...

Leak test accessories.(MRO PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... Brochure featuring leak test accessory products highlights new additions. New products include digital vacuum gauge, portable leak finder, digital vacuum/pressure gauge, calibrated leak/flow standards, and calibrated helium leak standards. It...

Jules Kendall, fluid power innovator.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Jules Kendall, a leader in the fluid power industry for more than 60 years, passed away on August 2. He was 87. Kendall began his fluid power career in 1946 with Greer Hydraulics in Long Island, N.Y., after having served as a test pilot...

Fluid power forums celebrate 1st anniversary.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... The fluid power forums section of the H&P website celebrated its one-year anniversary last month, and activity on the boards continues to increase. The number of registered users is nearing 250, and more than 500 posts have been made to date....

B&B Electronics acquires wireless company.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... B&B Electronics, Ottawa, Ill., an automation and communications products provider, acquired Advanced Embedded Systems (AES), Phoenix, a developer of industrial wireless solutions. AES will become part of B&B's engineering and technical...

Swanson streamlines worldwide facilities.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... After 40 years repairing, remanufacturing, and manufacturing hydraulic cylinders, Swanson Industries Inc., Morgantown, W. Va., opened Swanson Industries International in Shanghai to meet the needs for low-cost, high-quality cylinders. The...

Hydraulic hose.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Desert HR4 hose line suits extreme temperatures, tight routing, and abrasive environments. It exceeds SAE 100R4 with a half-bend radius and operates in temperatures from -40[degrees] to 275[degrees] F. Black neoprene cover is MSHA approved. ...

Swivel connectors.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Triple-Lok 37[degrees] flare female connections position the sealing surface away from tip of male nose, which tolerates surface imperfections at the tip, protects the nose during assembly, and prevents gouging of the female cone seat....

Filter dryers.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Extractor/dryers are point-of-use filters that efficiently remove moisture and contaminates to improve and extend tool and equipment life. Two-stage filter design operates within 25 ft of point-of-use and offers 5 [micro]m rating (lower ratings...

Electrohydraulic valves.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Explosion-proof electrohydraulic proportional valves limit external temperature, to avoid self-ignition of any explosive mixtures in the environment. They are tested and certified according to ATEX 94/9/CE standard protection mode, UL 1002...

Pressure transducers.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Schaevitz pressure transducers provide maximum resolution at required measured pressure range. They feature bonded foil strange gauge technology and Over Travel Stop overload protection for the diaphragm, which allows sensing element to handle...

Air valve manifolds.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Heavy-duty MultiMach valve manifolds feature automatic electrical connections. Electrical signal between valves is relayed from one valve to the next by gold-plated contacts connected to an electrical board. Three sizes of 1-16 valves are...

Vacuum lifter.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... VPF-57 compact, below-the-hook vacuum lifter handles cylindrical, nonferrous materials, such as billets, pipe, and castings. It features a suction pad with foam seal. Optional spring-loaded parking stands protect the foam pad when not in use;...

Pressure gauges.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... PBG series pressure gauges monitor vacuum and positive system pressure to 15,000 psi and fit industry-standard 2916 in. panel hole cutouts. Tube adapter ends provide leak-tight connections and easy installation. Liquid-filled design provides...

Tube fittings.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Carbon and stainless-steel Voss fluid metric tube fittings include soft seal and flared couplings, flange couplings, cutting rings, and accessories. They are offered in BSP, metric, and Whitworth pipe threads, and conform to DIN, ISO, SAE, and...

Clevises, safety fasteners.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Low-carbon steel clevises, spring clips, and safety pins easily disconnect links. Removable clevis pins are held in place with locking spring clip. Hardened spring-steel retaining clips come in many styles. All parts are zinc-treated for...

Miniature check valve.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... New 250 Lohm Chek valve provides 60% more flow than axial flow valve in a compact--0.187 in.--package. Stainless steel construction is standard, as is forward and reverse flow configurations. Hard, metal-to-metal seat offers durability and long...

Spin-on filters.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... OFRP35 spin-on filters suit charge pumps and hydrostatic transmissions. They are rated for pressures to 500 psi and flows to 35 gpm. Die-cast aluminum head and cold-rolled steel bowl are compatible with petroleum, oil, water, glycol,...

Motion controller software.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... RMC70 Tools software for one- and two-axis motion controllers features automated tuning wizard for fast and easy position axis tuning and active damping control for hydraulic and pneumatic servo applications. Tuning wizard allows user to create...

Air dryers.(Useful Products)
November 1, 2006... Series IDFB*E refrigerated air dryers have high-efficiency, stainless-steel heat exchanger and offer long life and low [DELTA]P. They are UL listed to sizes covering 160-scfm flows. Environmentally friendly refrigerant provides pressure dew...

Scissor lift achieves perfect heights.(TECH PNEUS)
November 1, 2006... The new Titan Series A1050 Lift, from Herkules Equipment Corp., Walled Lake, Mich., is a 100% air-operated material handling scissor lift. The A1050 uses Herkules' Air Bag technology to provide a direct one-to-one lift ratio, eliminating the...

Edger speed problems.(MRO TROUBLSHOOTING CASEBOOK)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... Q: Our edger board and saw positioners are moving too slow. We have just changed the pump but still have the same problem. Can you help us with this as we are getting "positioner alarms" and they are slowing down production? A: There are...