You’ll have to excuse my shade of indigo. I’m not sure if it’s more Smurf or Na’vi, but back when I first started writing about fluid power, I promised I’d talk about fluid conditioning until I’m blue in the face. I’ll live with the odd skin tone, because fluid conditioning is still one of […]
Hydraulic Fluids
Easy to use hydraulic filter select tool
Bosch Rexroth has developed a filter sizing program that allows users to input various parameters such as fluid type, fluid viscosity, system temperature, and micron rating to evaluate the pressure drop across Rexroth filters. The sizing software (Filter Select) can be used to quickly determine the best filter for a specific hydraulic application and will […]
What is wet oil and how can you combat it?
Is there such a thing as wet oil? In the early days of middle school science class, we are taught how water and oil do not mix. You could add pretty much any oil to a beaker of water, and no manner of stirring or swirling could get it to stay mixed for more than […]
OPCount particle counter for mobile and stationary equipment
The latest generation of OPCount particle counters from Argo-Hytos can be used for stationary and mobile operation. The high measuring accuracy of the OPCount, in connection with the possibility to display the measured particle concentration according to all current standards, allows it to be used in a variety of applications. Measurement can be carried out […]
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 […]
Freudenberg-NOK develops bio-renewable polymer for fluid sealing
A sugarcane-based polymer from Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, Plymouth, Mich., is aiming to help reduce CO2 emissions while being bio-renewable. The ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber compound is made from a polymer produced from sugarcane-based feedstock. Development began in 2012 for the bio-renewable material. A sugarcane-produced ethanol is converted into ethylene which forms a substantial portion of […]
Viscosity versus viscosity index
By David Marlowe • Owner/CEO • DMAR Technical Training and DMAR Business Centers USA Petroleum-based hydraulic fluid has a variety of desirable characteristics, including lubricating and anti-wear properties, so it is often the preferred fluid for hydraulic systems. For these uses, petroleum oil is highly refined to remove undesirable chemicals while other chemicals, such as additives, are added […]
What do you know about hydraulic filter media?
If you’re not familiar with the basics of hydraulic filtration, just wait a week. A week is all it takes to be bombarded by blogs, articles and advertising on the importance of hydraulic filtration—and rightfully so, as it’s the most critical consideration you can make if you’re serious about reliability. I’m guilty of lecturing readers […]
HY-TRAX Fluid Sampling System comes with telematics option
Schroeder Industries introduces its new HY-TRAX Fluid Sampling System. Schroeder’s new HY-TRAX System is a compact fluid sampling system that includes a VSD pump and TestMate Particle Counter (TCM) mounted on a small manifold block. The HY-TRAX Sampling Systems eliminate the task of locating a sampling port with adequate pressure and flow. Pump speed is […]
New rod wiper test method helps protect hydraulic systems
A partnership between Hallite Seals Americas Inc., Wixom, Mich., and The Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Fluid Power Institute (MSOE) has resulted in the development of a new test procedure for assessing the amount of dirt and dust that enters a typical hydraulic system through the rod wiper. According to Hallite, the test for rod wipers […]
