In a noisy industrial expensive plant, air leaks are everywhere, but hard to detect because the ambient roar washes out the sound of air leaving your system. But strange as it may seem, sometimes you can see compressed air leaks, or more accurately, you can see the result of the air escaping! Fig. 1 […]
Why is impulse testing important for hose assemblies?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are critical components of any hydraulic system, and their lifespan is essential for its efficiency and longevity. Several factors impact hydraulic hose life, from environmental conditions to maintenance practices, and if you heed the impulse testing tips below, you can enjoy long life from your machine’s hydraulic hoses. […]
A review of hydraulic fittings and flanges
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Improper selection or improper use of hoses, tubing, fittings, and assemblies can result in machine failures, leaks, personal injury, or even property damage if the failure is catastrophic. Understanding your plumbing standard chosen for your hydraulic system, and following the generally accepted installation standards reduces the chance of failure and […]
The importance of hydraulic reservoir filtration systems
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’ve ever been (un)lucky enough to open up a 30-year-old hydraulic reservoir, you know how shockingly grimy they can be. I’ve seen 3 in. of sludge, filings and particles sedimentate enough to clog the suction filter. That hydraulic power unit had a return filter in addition to its clearly […]
What type of miniature pneumatics technologies are available?
In the realm of fluid power engineering and manufacturing, innovation knows no bounds. The advent of miniature pneumatics has ushered in a new era of precision and efficiency, enabling a wide range of industries to benefit from compact and surprisingly powerful pneumatic systems. These miniaturized marvels have found their way into various sectors, using low […]
Why is compressor lubricant important?
The lubricated screw air compressors are the most common type in the industrial environment, helping power critical operations in various sectors. Maintaining the quality of your compressor lubricant is very important if you want trouble-free operation. Let’s examine the significance of maintaining high lubricant quality for a lubricated screw air compressor — and its overall […]
How do you select the right hydraulic motor for your application?
Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators that convert hydraulic energy into mechanical torque. Using the pressure and flow provided by the hydraulic pump, hydraulic motors rotate to pull, drive or winch external loads on various hydraulic machines spanning construction equipment to food mixers. The three most common constructions of hydraulic motors are the gear, vane and […]
What are hydraulic couplers?
Hydraulic quick couplers are indispensable tools in various industries that rely on hydraulic systems. They play a crucial role in connecting and disconnecting hydraulic hoses and attachments swiftly and efficiently. These couplers provide a secure and leak-free connection, allowing for seamless fluid transfer in hydraulic systems. Typically made of durable materials like steel or brass, […]
How do you select hydraulic motors?
Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators that convert hydraulic energy into mechanical torque. Using the pressure and flow provided by the hydraulic pump, hydraulic motors rotate to pull, drive or winch external loads on various hydraulic machines spanning construction equipment to food mixers. The three most common constructions of hydraulic motors are the gear, vane and…
An overview of hydraulic technologies for beginners
Hydraulic technology has been helping people work for thousands of years in its various forms. Early use of water to power our world saw the discovery of the watermill, using the hydrodynamic properties of water to turn a water wheel. Water-powered technology offers methods to increase our capacity to process anything from flour or paper…
How do you select pneumatic hose and tubing?
Imagine you’re in charge of automating a factory or warehouse. You need to move products quickly and efficiently from one point to another and consider pneumatics as a solution. Pneumatic systems need plumbing, lots of it. The most popular plumbing conduit for air systems is synthetic plastic or rubber tubing or hose. However, with so […]
Do special hydraulic fluids require special filters?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic systems play a critical role in various industries, powering heavy machinery and equipment with precision and efficiency. The performance and longevity of these systems heavily rely on the cleanliness and quality of the hydraulic fluid. Contamination in hydraulic fluid can cause significant damage to the system, resulting in reduced […]
How to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness outside of filtration
Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is crucial for hydraulic systems’ reliable operation and longevity. However, while filtration is critical in keeping hydraulic fluid clean, it is not the only factor that impacts fluid cleanliness. This article will discuss some tips to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness aside from the obvious filtration itself. One of the most important steps […]
How can metric fittings provide hydraulic system leak protection?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We use metric fittings to connect and seal hydraulic valves, pumps or actuators to their respective plumbing in a metric-based circuit. They prevent leaks in hydraulic systems by providing a leak-free seal at the component’s fluid port. There are several types of metric fittings, including compression fittings, flare fittings, bite-type […]
What are the different standards for metric hydraulic fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Several standards for metric hydraulic fittings exist, including DIN 2353, ISO 8434-1, ISO 6149-1, and BS EN ISO 12151-2. Each of these standards has its unique features and specifications, which are essential to know. They ensure that the fittings used in hydraulic systems meet the required standards and are compatible […]
How do you install metric fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are no secrets here, but installing metric hydraulic fittings depends on the type of fitting being used. You will need several tools to install them. Generally, you will need various wrenches, a hose cutter (if you’re making metric hose assemblies), a deburring tool, and, in some cases, thread sealant. […]
What are the least common symptoms of contamination?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic oil contamination may cause significant damage to hydraulic systems and components, leading to reduced performance and productivity and increased maintenance and repair costs. Therefore, it’s crucial that you identify the symptoms of hydraulic oil contamination to prevent further damage and ensure optimal hydraulic system operation. Regular readers know how […]
What are metric hydraulic fittings and how do you specify them?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I vividly remember visiting my stepfather’s auto shop as a kid, where he’d worked on what was primarily American iron. Being the 80s, most vehicles were American-made, so his familiarity with imperial nuts, bolts and tools was understandable. When Japanese cars permeated the market, he was ill-prepared in both knowledge […]
Making sense of hydraulic manifold mazes
Learn how three manifold designs — the common hydraulic integrated circuit, stackable bar designs, and simple passageways for pressure or return — are manufactured for hydraulic designs. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When discussing manifolds, your mind will go to one of two places — bar manifolds with sandwich valves mounted atop or integrated circuits with a…
How do you select pneumatic cylinder seals?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Although pneumatic cylinders operate in many conditions, their capacity to withstand the pitfalls of those conditions often comes down to the chosen sealing technology. The performance and longevity of pneumatic cylinders depend on the quality of their seals. A seal’s primary purpose is to contain the compressed air within the […]
Why do hydraulic valves fail?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor No matter how well engineered or manufactured, no product has infinite reliability, including hydraulic valves. Valves are critical components in hydraulic systems, responsible for controlling the flow, direction, and pressure of the hydraulic fluid circulating to transmit work. When a valve fails, it can cause system downtime, decreased productivity, and […]
What impacts hydraulic hose life?
Hydraulic hoses are critical components of any hydraulic system, and their lifespan is essential for the system’s efficiency and longevity. Several factors impact hydraulic hose life, from environmental conditions to maintenance practices. If you heed the tips below, you can enjoy long life from your hoses. One of the most critical factors impacting hydraulic hose […]
How can you prevent pneumatic tube failure?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic systems are common in various industries, including automation, food & beverage, and packaging. They’re preferred over other systems for their simplicity, efficiency, cleanliness and versatility. Pneumatic systems rely on hoses to transport compressed air from the compressor to the devices that use it. There are many types of hose, […]
How do you repair pneumatic cylinders?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ve seen many pneumatic cylinders in my fifteen years in fluid power. From pancake to ISO and from NFPA to compact round line, there are as many types of air cylinders as there are applications for them. With so many cylinders and ways to use them, there are many ways […]
Why do pneumatic cylinders fail?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor It would be easy to assume all cylinders fail in the same fashion — that hydraulic cylinders bypass and air cylinders experience bent rods. However, it’s a false assumption because the nature of their operation and intended application differ. Sure, a hydraulic cylinder can bypass but not as easily as […]