When I was wet behind the ears in my hydraulic career, I was confused by the myriad pressure valves available to hydraulics. I came from a car wash background, where unloading valves are used to regulate the pressure of a piston pump. On the day in class where we discussed pressure valves, I had a […]
Mobile Hydraulics Blog
Q&A with igus’ CEO, Frank Blase
I had the pleasure of touring the international headquarters of igus just after the Hannover Fair this year, and also was able to sit with company CEO Frank Blase. The facility is enormous, yet intelligently designed—it doesn’t feel like a manufacturing plant, due to the light that comes in through strangely organic looking skylights. Walk […]
5 hydraulic equipment mistakes you might be making
A guest blog from Terry Stookey of Reliable Hydraulics Inc. When dealing with hydraulic equipment, there are many intricate pieces that impact the effectiveness of these machines. There are many components of hydraulic equipment, and it is important that they all run smoothly. Here are five mistakes you may be making and how to correct them. 1. Changing […]
A deeper look at Parker’s Chainless Challenge competitors
With $25,000 in prizes and several categories of awards, there was not one team that did not take home some sort of honor during Parker Hannifin’s Chainless Challenge earlier this month at the Great Park (the old El Toro Marine base) in California. The year-long event challenges engineering students across the country to design and […]
Reliable Plant exhibition focuses on industrial fluid systems
Clean, dry hydraulic fluid is the lifeblood of any hydraulic system. And keeping all gear oils, lubricants and other fluids within an industrial system contaminant-free is critical to efficient and reliable machinery. That’s why there is an entire trade show and technical conference dedicated to these technologies each year, called Reliable Plant, sponsored by Noria […]
Top five ways to improve your fluid power resumé
If your goal is to begin your career in fluid power, I have some advice for you. First of all, I can tell you that you’re in luck. Not only are careers in the fluid power industry highly lucrative financially, but employers are also desperate to fill positions, creating a high demand for qualified professionals. […]
Muncie Power Products tricks out new Website
Books have their covers, and companies have their websites. When it comes to being judged, fairly or not, appearances count. But with websites in specific, it does seem like the stakes are a little higher. Websites represent a digital gateway into a company’s culture. Intrinsically, we see a website’s clarity, efficiency and ease of use […]
Engineering students break the chain with hydraulics
I always get energized when I see students and future engineers working on a hands-on project that uses fluid power. So I was even more energized this afternoon (and a little sunburned, too), as I watched nine teams compete in Parker Hannifin’s Chainless Challenge event at the Great Park (the old El Toro Marine base) […]
A pre-Hannover chat with Bosch Rexroth’s Dr. Karl Tragl
In advance of next week’s Hannover Fair, being held in Germany, I spoke with Dr. Karl Tragl, president of the executive board of Bosch Rexroth AG, about his company’s current activities, his views on the state of industry, and Bosch Rexroth’s future plans. Here is Design World’s exclusive interview with this well-known and respected industry leader. […]
Post-compensation in a hydraulic system
Hydraulic engineers and designers are continuously trying to get more for less, and as such, hydraulic circuits are becoming more compact, efficient and flexible. To be competitive, machines are being produced with as much functionality as possible, which can increase complexity. Hydraulic circuits can be packed with control valves to achieve this increased functionality, but […]