Contributed by J. Eric Freimuth, Hydraulic Training Associates Many of the failures in a hydraulic system show similar symptoms: a gradual or sudden loss of high pressure, resulting in the loss of power or speed in the cylinders. In fact, the cylinder may stall under a light load or may not move at all. Often the […]
Mobile Hydraulics Blog
Load-holding valves made simple
Load-holding valves, or counterbalance valves, are simple devices but critical to mobile machine stability and cost. Contributed by Todd McIntryre, Global Planning and Strategy Manager, SiCV, Eaton Load-holding valves, which are also known as counterbalance valves, are a small but important part of any mobile machine. Though they are simple in design, their application can often […]
FPTC keynote to examine intersection of fluid power and IoT
For about as long as I’ve covered the fluid power industry, there has been anxious talk about whether electrics were going to someday replace fluid power. And while electric actuators have certainly made inroads in certain applications, our technology has been made much more efficient, controllable and reliable thanks to the marriage of electronics with […]
Fluid Power Technology Conference: Tips and tricks from a hands-on expert
Carl Dyke will once again be leading five sessions at this year’s Fluid Power Technology Conference at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center. Dyke, a well-respected trainer, consultant and founder of CD Industrial Group, is also a reader favorite as a contributing editor to Fluid Power World. Slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16 […]
Is augmented reality the future of fluid power maintenance?
In remote applications, particularly in mining or oil and gas, machine downtime can be a serious and costly problem. Machines in these instances can cost an operation thousands of dollars when not running even for just a day. So if an expert technician is not on hand, you could waste days waiting for a maintenance […]
Why young engineers need to know hydraulics in the digital age
In mechanical engineering, not every task can be solved with the same technology, explained Steffen Haack, Senior Vice President of Industrial Applications Bosch Rexroth AG at this week’s Hannover Fair. Hydraulics have a clear advantage when it comes to power density and robustness. They withstand impact and vibration and also fit into tight installation spaces […]
Hannover Messe update, Day 4: Working smarter, digitally
Hannover Messe is one show where you’ll see a lot of new product releases. Here’s a sampling of what we’re seeing: EPLAN Cogineer, an innovative new development to automatically generate schematics, is celebrating its premiere here. SVP of Product Management and Development Dieter Pesch said, “We’ve developed a solution that is easy to use and yet very […]
Mostly positive vibes for fluid power from OEMs from Vegas
The old adage about the global economy says that when the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. So it goes with the relationship between the health of mobile equipment markets and fluid power demand. Based on comments at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, most global executives are cautiously optimistic about future prospects. Sam Allen, CEO, […]
How much hydraulic safety awareness do you have?
Hydraulic safety knowledge and respect for the hazards of hydraulics is gained through training and mentoring; however, the practice of learn as you go is an unacceptable way to gain safety knowledge. Even though electrical components meet standards, when they are assembled into a circuit, the circuit must be inspected to meet codes of the […]
Hannover Messe update, Day 3: A sneak peek at Rittal before the show
Prior to my visit to the Hannover Messe this week, I had the chance to visit several Rittal factories in central Germany, including the company’s world headquarters, global distribution center and new innovation center. It’s always incredible to visit a manufacturing plant where you can watch raw materials—here, 5-ton coils of steel—be turned into a […]
