An important characteristic of many hydraulic fluids is the ability to maintain performance at high temperatures. Higher temperatures can cause oxidation—the reaction of the fluid and its constituents with oxygen. The rate of reaction accelerates as temperature increases, as does the presence of catalyst metals like copper and iron, especially at … [Read more...]
Storage and cleaning of elastomer seals
Elastomer seals are built to handle a wide range of demanding hydraulic and pneumatic applications. A seal’s design and its material properties are two keys to lasting performance. The engineers at Parker Hannifin’s Engineered Materials Group in Germany also offer some important recommendations on how to store, handle and clean seals prior to … [Read more...]
Microfiltration reduces microplastics in bottled water
Media outlets across the globe recently reported on the disquieting news that most commercial bottled water contains microscopic bits of plastic. According to a study released last month, researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia looked at 259 bottles of water from 11 producers, including such well-known brands like Aquafina, … [Read more...]
O-ring selection made easy
Parker Hannifin's O-Ring Selector is an engineering tool which offers O-ring material and size selection combined in one software package. Both are interlinked, thus helping ensure the best possible combination of the calculated O-ring size and material choice. The O-Ring Selector covers both imperial and metric standards. The program lets … [Read more...]
Track contamination, not people
Nobody likes a micromanager. A boss constantly looking over your shoulder is at best annoying and more often counterproductive, demotivating and the root cause of high turnover. Yet in recent head-scratching news, Amazon has patented a tracking wristband that monitors a worker’s every move and vibrates when they do something wrong. Ostensibly, … [Read more...]
The baffling, ballooning cylinder
Fluid Power World contributing editor, Carl Dyke, founder of CD Industrial Group, has related a number of field-service issues he’s come across over the years. One was discussed in the recent post, “Troubleshooting tales from the trenches.” Here’s another real-world application, from Carl’s presentation at the 2017 Fluid Power Technical Conference … [Read more...]
Troubleshooting tales from the trenches
One of Fluid Power World’s resident technical experts, Carl Dyke, has related a number of field-service issues he’s come across over the years. In a presentation at the 2017 Fluid Power Technical Conference in Milwaukee, he enlightened us on one mobile application that had the machine owners scratching their heads. This one cropped up last … [Read more...]
Trelleborg finalizes acquisition of advanced composites manufacturer
Trelleborg, a worldwide provider of engineered polymer components and systems, has through its business area Trelleborg Sealing Solutions fully acquired U.S.-based privately-owned Automated Dynamics, an advanced composite components manufacturer. According to Trelleborg officials, the “bolt-on” acquisition provides new, strategic technology to … [Read more...]
In-line contamination monitor offers user flexibility
The ICM – 2.0 in-line contamination monitor, developed by MP Filtri in Milan, Italy, automatically measures and displays particulate contamination, moisture and temperature levels in various hydraulic fluids. It is designed specifically to be mounted directly to systems, where ongoing measurement or analysis is required, and where space and costs … [Read more...]
Duo-material seals combine strength and flexibility
Fluid-power engineers who design sealing systems always have to weigh the trade-off of minimizing leaks versus shorter operating life. In hydraulic applications, seals made from two polyurethane components could resolve the conflict between sealing tightness and strength. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Weinheim, Germany, is now conducting … [Read more...]
