By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Although a hydraulic machine could run off highly crude forms of hydrocarbons, without a complement of additives, the performance and longevity of your hydraulic machine would suffer. Welcome to Part Seven of the Hydraulic Oil Analysis series, where we dig deep into the various additives that are always or usually […]

Festo has expanded its vacuum generation solutions to include for the first time a multistage generator and a multistage cartridge. These new vacuum components offer exceptional performance on porous materials, such as paper and corrugated board. The OVPN multistage vacuum generator and the OASP vacuum generator cartridge are ideal for such applications as overhead palletizing, […]

Forestry has a bad rap for devastating ecosystems now lined with dusty stumps where lush foliage and wildlife used to exist. The imagery is saddening and requires an examination of conscience and behavior. Through a different lens, however, the forestry industry can be seen as an ally against future deforestation. Companies that want to make…

Norway has a long tradition of catching and processing fish. The country ranks second in the world for exports behind China. To ensure the high quality of their freshly caught products, Norwegians pay particular attention to an unbroken cold chain. One company that contributes to a high level of food safety is Atlantic Styro. Based […]

Festo introduced the new VTUX flagship valve terminal, which can serve as I/O, remote I/O, and decentralized I/O. These compact and rugged IP65/67-rated terminals can be located anywhere on a machine that boosts operational performance and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation productivity. VTUX modularity results in less inventory and lower overhead costs. VTUX is both […]

As at most mobile machinery shows this September, Parker Hannifin showcased a variety of technologies to ensure efficient, powerful mining machines. Newest on display, though, was its Force Command electrohydraulic linear actuator. This new EHA features a brushless dc motor with integrated controller and absolute position sensing, giving users full control over the toughest and […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor When I sat in my first fluid power class 18 years ago, I remember learning about built-in contamination and how the reservoir was the biggest offender. The welds and their slag were the biggest problems, the teacher stated, but a close second was the debris from pipe threading machines. Looking […]

Fluid power engineers are familiar with hydraulic load-holding or counterbalance valves that prevent sudden load drops and control descent speed. Such valves ensure smooth, stable operation and provide a safety mechanism in mobile and industrial machinery. The downside is they can fail due to wear, incorrect positioning, or failures in the hydraulic system. Pennsylvania-based York […]

Electrification is totally in vogue these days. You can’t visit any type of off-highway event and not be overtaken by this trend. The need to reduce emissions is 100% necessary and a noble deed. But are battery-powered machines the only realistic solution? In some cases, the answer is a resounding YES! Compact machinery such as […]

The world’s largest packaging and processing show returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place November 3-6. Pack Expo International, scheduled for Nov. 3–6 at McCormick Place in Chicago, is set to be the largest packaging and processing show worldwide for 2024. According to PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the industry’s growth underscores the need […]

By Donald Krause, Industry Consultant, Ohio Fabricators Company Exploring the basics of spin-on filters: design and functionality Spin-on filters have cemented their position as a cornerstone of liquid filtration and tank breather applications, thanks to their unique design and operational efficiencies. These filters consist of a self-contained housing and filter element assembly, which facilitates straightforward […]

Hydraulics continue to be used heavily in marine applications, as they offer the power density, safety and shock resistance needed in these environments. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re fortunate enough to own any variation of recreational watercraft, or if you’ve been lucky enough to sail an ocean in a colossal cruise ship, you’re…

A closer look at Chevron’s Bio EliteSyn AW biodegradable hydraulic fluid. Concern continues rising over stern tube leakages and operational discharges that were once considered part of normal operation in marine vessels. A popular 2010 study estimated that marine shipping vessels leak 4.6 to 28.6 million liters of lubricating oil from stern tubes annually and […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The automotive industry is leaving no stone unturned as it explores every possible technology and advancement that can improve performance while reducing CO2 emissions. Hybrid and electric vehicles have been employing regenerative braking systems that recapture kinetic energy through a motor generator rather than convert the vehicle’s inertia into heat, […]

Hydraulics expert Carl Dyke shares insight on forest harvesting machines and what it takes to cut-to-length. “I grew up in logging. As a little kid, my father and grandfather would take me out to the woods to go timber cruising, which meant walking around and looking at the stands of trees,” said Carl Dyke, hydraulics […]

At the Danfoss Distributor Meeting in September, Eric Alstrom, president of Danfoss Power Solutions, said the company has seen significant growth with a 50% increase in core business revenues since 2017, but noted there’s still room for improvement in understanding and meeting customer expectations. He underscored current market challenges, such as economic uncertainties, geopolitical influences,…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor This is part 6 in this series on hydraulic oil analysis, and if you’ve missed any of the previous issues, you can find them here — part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5. I’ve covered everything from viscosity to water saturation already, and we’re not done […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor One of the few disadvantages of hydraulics is the mass added to components capable of withstanding thousands of pounds of pressure. Of course, the raison d’ệtre of hydraulics is the transfer of pressurized fluid to achieve work. But do high-pressure components have to be high mass, especially on mobile machines? […]

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the four phases of electrifying mobile machinery — swapping diesel for batteries, optimizing hydraulics, recuperating energy, and going completely electric and eliminating hydraulics. Mobile machinery power transmission is rapidly evolving, driven by regulatory pressures, growing demands for greener technologies, and reduced operational costs. In this article, we delve into […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In part 5 of this series covering hydraulic oil analysis, we move on to discuss acidity. As it pertains to hydraulic oil, we need to know the total amount of acidic substances found within the sample. Most commonly referred to as the Total Acid Number, or TAN for short, the […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses come in many sizes and designs, and the expression of each design is a result of the purpose of that hose. Generally, there are three common locations where a hose is used in a hydraulic system: suction lines, working lines and return lines. Each location has its own […]

Contributed by Enrique Busquets  •  Director of Engineering Systems and Components, Bosch Rexroth Fueled by unceasing innovation, electric motors have solidified their position as a catalyst for change, reducing countries’ greenhouse gas emissions (ghg) and lowering total cost of ownership for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles and machinery. The accelerated adoption of electric motors has been […]

MinExpo 2024 returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center September 24-26. With all the big players already announcing major machine developments, it’s clear that MinExpo promises to be a return to its pre-covid self with massive machinery setting the stage. MINExpo, owned and produced by the National Mining Association, brings professionals, experts and decision-makers from […]

With 3D printing, brushless dc motors, and high-speed digital controls, Domin is at the forefront of revolutionizing how the aerospace industry uses hydraulics. Aerospace dramatically influenced hydraulics’ evolution in the last century. The move from manual to hydraulic actuation happened quickly in the 1950s and 1960s, yet fundamental hydraulic designs in aircraft have not changed…

At iVT Expo last week, Sun Hydraulics was highlighting some of its newer technologies, including its eSense counterbalance solution. This load-holding technology allows users to save energy without sacrificing performance. Designated as part of Sun’s ecoline program, this solution adapts to any load and provides up to 85% of energy-efficient power to applications. Combatting the […]