Hydraulics & Pneumatics articles from September 2003

Hydraulics & Pneumatics archives from September 2003

Is engineering ready for prime time?(Editor's Page)
September 1, 2003... Historically, engineering has been an uncool profession. Popular culture's focus has always steered clear of our career choice, probably because we're viewed as overly practical, even boring. Flip channels during prime-time hours over the past...

Let the venting begin.(Readers' Forum)
September 1, 2003... I can't tell you how much I hate spam. At work and at home I use a Hotmail email account. This account gets bombarded until I decide to just close the account, then I open another account. Spam should not be protected by Free Speech. To me,...

Down with spammers.(Readers' Forum)
September 1, 2003... I've tried www.SpamCop.com (an exercise in futility), uce@ftc.gov (status records only--someday it might help), and bloomba.com (it is free and gets most of the spam). Our company is small, but we used to get over a hundred spam a day, each....

Magazines do it, too.(Readers' Forum)
September 1, 2003... I asked our IT guy your question about how we avert spam; we utilize an outside service provider called appriver.com. We send all of our mail directed to carltech.com to this provider, who uses their own software to filter out the spam. They,...

Fight fire with fire.(Reader's Forum)
September 1, 2003... Could software send back thousands of responses to the spammer and overload their system?

Black and white.(Reader's Forum)
September 1, 2003... Even with less than 30 boxes, our company averages about 400 spam messages each day. I chose to install a very robust filtering system (GFI Mail Essentials) and now direct all the filtered mail to a public folder called Spam. I still review the...

Industry shipments & order statistics.
September 1, 2003... [GRAPHICS OMITTED] Orders and shipments (cumulative year-to-date percent changes) Pneumatic Industrial Hydraulic Month Shipments Orders Shipments Orders Feb. 03 19.7 14.3 ...

Fluid power purchasing study to be presented.(Industry News)
September 1, 2003... The Distributor-Manufacturer Business Management Team, an independent working group of industry leaders from manufacturing and distribution, in conjunction with Penton Media (this magazine's parent company), recently conducted a survey of...

Micromatic names Lehman product manager.(Industry News)
September 1, 2003... Micromatic, a Textron company, has appointed Mike Lehman product manager of rotary actuator products. He will be responsible for distribution and marketing of the Rotac and Hyd-ro-ac rotary actuator lines, and for managing the domestic and...

Lift cart developed to handle jet engines.(50 years ago ...)
September 1, 2003... Cumbersome engines for jet and turboprop aircraft are being moved easily and installed quickly with a new hydraulically powered lift cart developed by Lockheed Aircraft Corp. The versatile, easy-lift machine was designed by Lockheed...

New ideas at Fluidtrans Compomac 2004.(Industry News)
September 1, 2003... Fluidtrans Compomac 2004 will take place February 18-21 in Milan, Italy. The 19th biennial international exhibition will again showcase hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical power transmission; motion control; compressed air techniques and...

NFPA's Educator/Industry Summit.(NFPA News)
September 1, 2003... NFPA's 2nd Educator/Industry Summit, Transforming Motion Control Througb Fluid Power: An Exploration of Visions, is scheduled for Oct. 24-25, 2003, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, right before the Joint FPDA/NFPA Conference (Oct. 25-28)....

New phase of Electronic Statistical Toolkit to be released.(NFPA News)
September 1, 2003... NFPA has served for years as the source for information on trends in the fluid power industry. NFPA marketing and statistical programs draw upon data, aggregated from among the 240 manufacturers of hydraulic and pneumatic products and systems...

Pressure switch makes lifts safer.(Ideas & Applications)
September 1, 2003... Genie Industries, Redmond, Wash., manufactures material lifts, portable aerial work platforms, scissor lifts, and self-propelled telescopic and articulated booms. Of these, scissor lifts often provide the most efficient and durable lifting and...

Salt and sand spreader goes high tech.(Ideas &: Applications)
September 1, 2003... A new Integrated Spreader Control System, the ISC 2000 from Parker Hannifin, Cleveland, becomes available this month. Under development for a year and a half, the control system provides precise control of salt and sand distribution and allows...

Indicators pop up at high pressure.(Ideas & Applications)
September 1, 2003... Pop-up ads when surfing the internet certainly can be annoying But if a similar technique could be used to alert operators of a system in need of attention, machine reliabilty would benefit--and without having to incorporate complicated and...

Aluminum plugs pass institute's leakage tests.(Ideas & Applications)
September 1, 2003... The Milwaukee School of Engineering's Fluid Power Institute recently conducted tests to establish minimum torque values to achieve a zero-leak seal and confirm the durability of aluminum Zero-Leak Gold Plugs from EPCO Products, Fort Wayne. Ind....

Crimpers: fast, precise, reliable.(Ideas & Applications)
September 1, 2003... Hose crimping is not usually a topic that draws much attention. But crimping is a noiseless, quick, and environmentally friendly material forming method. What's more, the joints formed are extremely durable. Manual crimping is a possibility in...

Top ten mistakes made when purchasing automation.(Ideas & Applications)
September 1, 2003... Buying into automation can be a very long and difficult process. Here is a list of the 10 most common mistakes made when purchasing automation equipment. 1. No equipment specification--Not defining your company's expectations with regards...

Matching valve and cylinder asymmetry.(Motion Control)
September 1, 2003... More often than not, large differences exist between a cylinder's cap- and rod-end pressures required to propel a load at constant speed, and the same pressures required to hold the same load at zero speed. The pressure differences also exist...

The lowly drain deserves respect: automatic drains usually are specified as an afterthought. But they can be the key to reliable and economical operation.(Pneumatic Systems)
September 1, 2003... When air compressors ingest ambient air, they also ingest any water vapor that the air contains. All this water vapor carries through the compression process and remains entrained in the compressed air. Almost every compressed air system...

Air flow sensor.(Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Pipe diameter: 1/2, 1 in. NPT Pressure: 230 psi Voltage: to 30 Vdc FEATURES * Monitors machines or zones * SCFM, SCFH, SCF display options * 4-digit numeric display * Based on calorimetric flow sensing * Reduces energy costs,...

Modular electrical terminal.(Products)
September 1, 2003... FEATURES * Interfaces directly to fieldbus systems * Supports DeviceNet, Profibus-DP, Interbus CANOpen, CC-Link * Interlinking blocks support serial communications * Optional additional power supply * Analog or digital electronics modules...

Stacking valve bodies.(Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Port:1/8-in . NPT Inlet pressure: to 300 psi Orifice: 1/16 or 5/64 in. FEATURES * 2-, 3-way configuration * Horizontal of vertical mounting * Stainless steel or aluminum * Grommet conduit spade terminal DIN type ...

Air dryers. (Products)).(Air dryers. (Products))
September 1, 2003... SPECS Flow rate: to 200 scfm Dewpoint: 35[degees] F FEATURES * Removes contaminants to 0.01 [micro]m * Comes with prefilters, auto drains, membrane modules assembled in cabinet * Top-mounted inlet/outlet ports *...

Vacuum cartridge inserts.(Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 2 1/4-in. long, 0.4-in. OD Pressure: 1 to 80 psi Vacuum level: 0 to 28-in. Hg FEATURES * Color-coded * Interchangeable nozzles, diffusers * Anodized aluminum * Single-stage venturi Circle 269 ...

Panel-mount gauges.(Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Diameter: 1.5 to 2.5 in. Scales: 30 in. Hg to 400 psi FEATURES * Black or chromed triangular flange * Plastic housing * Accurate within 2.5% of full scales * Use on compressors, vacuum pumps, regulators, other pneumatic...

Safety controls.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... New brochure features pneumatic and electric safety controls for production and assembly machinery. It highlights Series SC3000 safety controls and the safety foot guard. Product descriptions, photos, line drawings, options, part numbers,...

Online shop.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Foldout brochure shows how you can optimize your search for pneumatic components and controls, and simplify electronic purchasing process. Online services include customer-specific pricing and delivery schedules, link to CAD files and design...

Simple productivity solutions.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Catalog 2003 contains information on standard products such as powered slides, grippers, rotary actuators, cylinders, swing arm clamps, switches and sensors, and accessories. New slides, grippers, and rotary actuators are also featured. This...

Bonded tubing.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Ten-page brochure features Technibond tubing. Process bonds polyurethane tubing into straight or spiral configurations. Ideal for applications where several tubes or spirals must travel together. Harness air, oil, water, electrical needs into...

Pressure and vacuum switches.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Brochure, 32 pages, provides information, technical data on a variety of pressure and vacuum switches including diaphragm, piston, explosion-proof, and electronic types. Special parts can be made to specifications. SUCO Inc. 275 ...

Pressure transducers.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Datasheet provides specifications on 100, 200, 600, 615, 625 Series of transducers. Standard features and advantages are explained. Drawings show each type. Tescom Corp. 276 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Seals, sealing devices, services.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Web site details products and services of Apple Rubber Products, a leading designer and manufacturer of seals and sealing devices. Includes interactive Seal Design Guide with 14 information-filled sections including interactive formulas that...

Coolest heat exchangers.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Product line includes oil coolers, oil-to-air heat exchangers, oil-to-water heat exchangers, as well as motors, valves, compensators, flanges. Find out how to choose the right cooler size, the use of components, and mobile and industrial...

Hydraulic cartridge valves.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... High performance hydraulic valves and electrohydraulic control systems for mobile, industrial and off-highway equipment. Solenoid-operated valves, flow, pressure, directional, proportional valves, electronic controllers and custom manifolds....

Solenoid coils for valves.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Web site spotlights company's full line of solenoids for use with hydraulics, pneumatics, gas, steam, other industrial applications. Handy buttons allow you to request a product catalog, send e-mail query, learn of company background, and read...

Expansion plugs, restrictors, valves.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Cv Expansion Plugs, available in a full range of materials and sizes, seal holes in manifolds, castings, other components. Cv Restrictors provide precise flow control and metering of fluids. Solenoid valves are designed to customer...

Differential pressure gauges for filters.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Web site provides specs, information to help you choose the right filter condition indicators, precision gauges, snubbers for your application. Price list available; product will ship in 1-4 weeks. For details, contact Differential Pressure...

Fast quotes on pumps, motors, parts.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Get fast quotes on Webster/Danfoss gear pumps, motors, and parts. Database of 8,000+ OEM part numbers. In-house expertise, tooling for OEM specials. Answers to FAQ. For details, contact Interchange LLC, Culpeper, Va., at (800) 765-5670, fax...

Quick & easy hose, tube, pipe cleaning.(Software & Website Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Web site features a video on contamination, products, new assemblies, what to do after a failure, definitions, and more. Products include launchers, nozzles, projectiles. For details, contact Ultra Clean Technologies, Bridgeton, N.J., at (800)...

Gentle giant is light on its feet: peat carriers haul more than 20 tons, yet exert surprisingly low ground pressure--due, in part, to lightweight wheel drives.(Mobile Hydraulics)
September 1, 2003... Most dump truck operators don't have to worry about the ground they drive on. After all, how much damage can tires do to gravel of paved roads? But operators of the LT400 Trac-Dumper must conquer rolling, delicate terrain that cannot withstand...

An injection of innovation: hybrid drive unit overcomes limitations of electrics, hydraulics by capitalizing on their advantages for injection molding.(Integration)
September 1, 2003... Injection molding machines powered by electric drives have become more and more prevalent in the past several years. In many cases, machines with hydraulic drives stood their ground until an all-electric machine became feasible. Consequently,...

Focus on reliability: the NFPA tackles a most challenging issue--how to measure the reliability of a fluid power component.(Standards)
September 1, 2003... Hardly a month goes by without the National Fluid Power Association announcing the release of documents dealing with testing hose assemblies of how to calibrate particle counters. Yet, an important new standard being developed will address an...

Wrestling with cylinder mounting options.(System Design)
September 1, 2003... Trouble-free use of fluid power cylinders and their ability to serve and remain leak-free depends, in large part, on properly mounting the component for the particular application. The designer must determine the loading the cylinder will...

Compensating for valve errors.(Proportional Control)
September 1, 2003... Proportional valves are a great alternative when an application requires more that just an on/off control, but not the high precision and expense of a servovalve. The beauty of a proportional valve is the ease with which it can vary the rate of...

MEMS the word in accurate inclinometers.(Sensor Tips)
September 1, 2003... The SCA61T Series of inclinometers from VTI Technologies Inc., Dearborn, Mich., features internal temperature measurement and compensation, along with a long-term stability better than 0.25 mg. This combination gives the devices high accuracy...

Measure fluid drive torque directly.(Sensor Tips)
September 1, 2003... Take the guesswork out of relating hose pressure to drive torque using a new sensor that accurately measures torque in hydraulic motor/pump-load adaptor systems. The reaction torque sensor from Sensor Developments Inc., Lake Orion, Mich.,...

Chip helps sensor smarts.(Sensor Tips)
September 1, 2003... A built-in memory chip from Lebow Products Inc., Troy, Mich., stores information in the form of a transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) on its force and torque sensors. The company has also joined forces with National Instruments as a...

What if we could rewind the tape and start over?(Idea Exchange)
September 1, 2003... The threat of imports to our manufacturing base became more and more apparent in the 1970s, and most of the concern was focused on the automobile industry. At the time, however, economists assured us that imports were no threat to our economy....

Legislating the law of gravity.(Idea Exchange)
September 1, 2003... Some 15 years ago, our publishing company installed its first word-processing system. Like all capital equipment, we couldn't charge the cost against income in the year we installed the system. The expense had to be amortized. But technology...

Surprise! Manufacturing is important.(Idea Exchange)
September 1, 2003... A new study commissioned by the Council of Manufacturing Associations, an independently-funded division of the National Association of Manufacturers, concludes that the continuing erosion of manufacturing is a threat to the nation's long-term...

Hydraulic, pneumatic manifolds.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... FEATURES * For agriculture, construction, medical, material handling, transportation industries * Aluminum steel, ductile metals plastics * Sizes from 1-in. square to 12 x 48 in. * Hydraulic components also available Circle 250 ...

Protective hose wrap.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 1/8 to 1 1/2 in. FEATURES * Installs without tools * Meets ASTM-D-1044, Federal Spec. LP 390 * Available on spools, boxed or cut to length * Protects hose up to 10-in. O. D. Circle 251 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Industrial digital gauges.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Output: 4-20 mA Pressure: vacuum to 20,000 psi FEATURES * 1 or 2 SPDT switches * Tamper resistant re-zeroing feature * Percent-of-range bar graph * Weatherproof case to IP 65 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dresser...

Inductive sensor.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 8, 12, 18, 30 mm Pressure: up to 1,200 psi FEATURES * Ferrous-only, nonferrous-only models * One-piece stainless steel enclosure * 1 -mm abrasion resistant face Circle 253 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Balluff...

Hydraulic fittings.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 1/8 to 2 1/2 in. Material: brass 12L14 steel, 316 stainless steel Fitting style: brazed, forged, both FEATURES * Yellow zinc clear zinc black phosphate nickel plating * Built to S.A.E., military, company specs * More...

Hydraulic motor.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Displacement: to 35 cc Pressure: to 400 bar Temperature: -40[degrees] to 105[degrees]C FEATURES * L frame cartridge mount * Can be installed in any position * May be used in series * Can be operated in Circle 255 ...

Hydraulic valve controller.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Output: Unipolar or bipolar 3 A Power supply input: 8 to 28 Vdc FEATURES * Maximum current adjustment does not affect minimum current setting * Trim pots are single turn * Electronic limiting circuit * Stand-alone PCB card...

Pressure transmitter.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Pressure: to 30,000 psi Temp range: 16[degrees] to 71[degrees]C * Stainless steel construction * Hermetically sealed case * Gauge, absolute, sealed models * NPT, 7016-20 O-ring seal fittings are available Circle 256 ...

Heavy-duty position sensors.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Range: [+ or -]0.50 to [+ or -]10.0 in. Temperature: -65[degrees] to 300[degrees] F (-55[degrees] to 150[degrees]C) FEATURES * Heavy-duty aluminum housing * Meets IEC IP-64 sealing standard * Electrically, magnetically...

3-jaw grippers.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Stroke: 30, 40, 60 mm Thickness: 71,100 mm Closing force: 2,480 N (pneumatic); 12,500 N (hydraulic) FEATURES * Extra-large T-slot guide * Multiple standard air connections Circle 266 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Hydraulic tubing.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 0.156 to 1.5-in. O.D. Metric size: 4 to 36 mm O.D. FEATURES * Zinc electroplated on O.D. * Corrosion protection * DIN 2391c/J524/ASTM-179/Grade ST 37.4 standard Circle 258 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Bar-style manifolds.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Sizes: D03 to D10 Ports: SAE straight, BSPP, IS0 6149 SAE Code 61, 62 4-bolt flange FEATURES * Constructed of ANSI 1018 steel for high pressures, aluminum for low * Gauge ports eliminate need for stacking tapping plates *...

Custom hydraulic manifolds.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... FEATURES * Engineered to customer's design specifications * Aluminum, cast iron, regular/free machining steel * Coated ports, threads, passages * Precision tolerances [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Terrell Mfg. Inc. (440) 238-5445...

Hydraulic fluids.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... FEATURES * Biodegradable * Does not hydrolyze in water * High load-carrying capabilities * Corrosion protection * Classified as Flammability Rated Group-1 by FM Global approvals Circle 261 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dow Chemical...

Solenoid valves.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Size: 1/8 to 3 in. Pressure: to 3,000 psig Voltage: variety of ac, dc FEATURES * Variety of connections * For gases liquids up to viscosity of 200 SUS * Class H coils * Full ported for full flow Circle 262 ...

Hose reels.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Pressure: to 10,000 psi Temperature: -20[degrees] to 225[degrees]F FEATURES * Compact frame, narrow base for easy installation * Self-contained rewind power * Inlet is 90[degrees] swivel joint with 1/4-in. female NPT threads...

Instrument manifolds.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... SPECS Working pressure: to 6,000 psi Temperatures: to 1,200[degrees]F FEATURES * 2-, 3-, 5-valve instrument manifolds available * Constructed of 316 stainless steel with PTFE packing Circle 264 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Hydraulic flow control valves.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Informative 34-page catalog details range of unique and hard-to-find valves. Covers hydraulic flow control valves, including manual or remote control variable-priority flow dividers, manifold-mount flow dividers, and diverter valves with flow...

Industrial sealing products.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Product Overvie brochure provides information on O-rings, silicone products, reed valves, fluid power products, PTFE products, radial shaft seals, track roller seals, valve stem seals, gaskets, Flexitech hose assemblies, and more. Simrit

Troubleshooting book.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Technical and Trouble-Shooting Book covers hydrostatic transmissions, Consisting of hydraulic pump and motor. Describes Operation and provides Schematic drawings of various parts, preventive maintenance techniques, fluid recommendations, and...

Industrial hydraulic components.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Bulletin HY01-1000/US, 48 pages, provides information on pumps, motors, power units, cylinders, valves, rotary actuators, accumulators, filtration products, fluid connectors. CD catalog is included. Parker Hannifin Corp. Hydraulics Group 223

Industrial fittings.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Brochure, 14 pages, provides fitting design request, as well as information on wide variety of industrial fittings for fluid power, process, and other industries. Includes photos of engineered fittings; specifications of catalog products. ...

Hydraulic components.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Hytos Program Summary, 8 pages, provides technical data on variety of valves including control, cartridge, poppet, pressure-reducing, pressure-relief types; power packs, compensators, and more. Fluid Systems Partners US Inc. 225

Filtration products.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Global Filtration Technology highlights filtration systems and products for industrial needs. Includes information on hydraulic and lubrication filtration, process fluids filtration, compressed air/gas filtration and separation, fuel...

Protection products.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Products in this colorful catalog include caps, plugs, wraps, edge liners, netting, custom items. Free samples are available so users can try before purchasing. Caplugs 227

Rotating connections.(Free Literature)
September 1, 2003... Engineering Catalog 952B describes rotating unions for water, steam, air, hydraulic, vacuum, coolant, and hot oil. The 64-page brochure provides photos, draw specifications, ordering information for wide variety of precision connections....

Good impressions.(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... This creative Northern California artist has numerous examples of her unique handcrafted pottery at www.clayimpressions.com. There are quite a few themes, including cats, dogs, fishing, botanical, seacoast, textiles, and country. The site notes...

Pumps and motors.(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... The Web site for Perco, at www.permco.com, only seemed to work with Interest Explorer. But problems aside, we found a lot of information on their assortment of hydraulic pumps and motors, as well as filters and flow dividers. The site also...

Donkey or elephant.(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... Think you know where you rail on the political scale? There's an interesting quiz located at madrabbit.net/webrabbit/quizshow.html. Answer 25 simple questions, and it will score your political leanings. See if you're a Ted Kennedy, Bob Dole, or...

Necessity's child.(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... Invention Showcase, at www.invensionshowcase.com, features "great inventions from independent inventors." The products are in various stages of development, and range from the practical to the amusing. Make sure to check out the Johnny-Light...

Seal it mate!(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... Ludowici Seals Designs and Manufactures Pneumatic and custom sealing products. We had some browser compatibility problems (both Netscape and Explorer) with this Australian company's Web site, www.ludowiciseals.com, But the information we did...

Ancient cultures.(Web Wire)
September 1, 2003... Hote Imports' site, at www.hoteimports.biz invites visitors to "experience the ancient culture." This company imports specialty and unique ancient Egyptian statues, perfume bottles, and home decor items. Although there were less than 20 items...