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The latest information on hydraulic and pneumatic motion control. April 6, 2009


Keeping up with the community

We at H&P truly believe that the fluid power community is a strong, growing community. Despite a struggling economy, and slowing sales, fluid power users and suppliers are still actively engaged in promoting and learning about the industry. Several shows and conferences are still being held in the next few months with record exhibition space and attendee numbers, including Hannover Fair in Germany, OTC in Houston, and ICUEE in Louisville in the fall.

We too are hoping for a better-than-ever Fluid Power Conference & Expo in June as well. This time, we're co-locating with Waste Expo on June 8-11 in Las Vegas. The event offers an extensive conference program. We will return again with popular information sessions on hydraulic troubleshooting, safety, and more.

Attendees can see all exhibits in both shows, plus attend any and all Fluid Power Conference & Expo seminar sessions. The cost is only $75 for one day, and $150 for two days! Register here and click on “Non-Member Registration” to get started. (To get the $75 or $150 price, be sure to register for “Fluid Power Conference & Expo.”) For more information on the Fluid Power Conference and Expo, contact   Michael Ference or call (216) 931-9352. For more information on WasteExpo, contact  Rita Ugianskis or call (813) 994-4654.

- Mary C. Gannon


Articles

Simulation of an HST undergoing inertial testing
Because it is relatively inexpensive to determine the suitability of a given system design before any hardware is acquired and before prototype systems are assembled, simulation is one of the most important implementations of mathematical models. Furthermore, competing designs and hardware choices can be evaluated and compared. To illustrate the steps in conducting a simulation, a hydrostatic transmission has been modeled using the proposed Type 1 models for the pump and motor. Simulation will be used to study the dynamic details of the transmission during cyclic life testing. The hydrostatic transmission model, as simulated, is shown in Figure 1.

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Hydraulic Replacement Seals Available from ExpresSeal®
in 24 to 48 Hours

ExpresSeal® can replace your existing hydraulic or pneumatic seal with near replicas or replacements of the original manufacturer seal in 24-48 hours. Popular materials include Polyurethane, Buna, EPDM, Viton, HNBR, Teflon, filled-Teflon, Silicone and engineered plastics (special compounds are available). As the fastest way to get the seal you need, ExpresSeal® delivers off-the-shelf solutions from an extensive inventory of standard seal profiles or instant prototypes. Seals for emergency replacement can be produced and quickly shipped in virtually any standard profile.



Web Exclusive: Rodless air cylinder keeps conveyor trim and compact
Manufacturing and packaging facilities may move and sort tons of bulk on conveyors, but the sorters, diverters, and pull-offs that route products to their next destination must be as trim as possible to make the most of valuable floor space. Engineers at Hytrol Conveyor Co., Jonesboro, Ark., needed such a space-saving solution when designing a diverter for an overhead pull-off system that would divert 150-lb boxes to a different conveyor line. For help with the solution, Hytrol turned to Tolomatic of Hamel, Minn., manufacturer of rodless-style actuators.

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Making a leaner, meaner excavator
It's not often you can increase the power output of a machine while also making it more fuel efficient. But that's just what engineers have accomplished with the CX800B excavator from Case Construction. Of course, power and efficiency are closely tied to the engine. But because virtually all mechanical output of the machine comes from hydraulics, power and efficiency are also closely tied to those of the hydraulic system.

Engineering hose assemblies for safe and reliable performance
Hose assemblies simplify many issues when designing, building, and maintaining hydraulic equipment. Flexible hoses are easier to route and install, compared with rigid tubing and pipe. They lessen vibration and noise, dampen pressure surges, and permit movement between parts.

New Products

Honing tools
MMT superabrasive and diamond honing tools for hydraulic valves from Sunnen deliver five times longer tool life and micron-level accuracy. They are suited for bore sizes from 4 to 65 mm. Custom-engineered for high-volume, high-precision honing with minimum burr condition, they feature a body and feed wedge made from hardened tool steel and produce accuracies of 0.0006 mm for diameter, roundness, straightness, and taper. Design options include one- to 12-stone versions, designed for use with metal-bond diamond or CBN superabrasives. Retention springs hold the honing stones firmly in place.

Refrigerated extractor dryer
Refrigerated extractor dryers from Laman Corp. provide reduced dewpoint temperatures and air line filtration all in one unit for compressed air applications. It uses cold coalescing to continuously remove condensed liquids. Refrigeration cools the air to condense aerosols into liquid contamination. It is used in the cold circuit to remove liquid contamination where it is formed and it also filters solid particles down to 5 µm. Clean dry air is then reheated to a useable temperature prior to exiting the device, resulting in compressed air that is clean and dried to eliminate any condensation downstream. Features include lighted power on/off switch, refrigeration circuit condition indicator, and a condenser panel filter.

Hydraulic fittings
Custom designed fittings from Parker Page International can be produced with special grooves, threads or other modifications that enhance compatibility to applications. Combination hose fittings and flanges were created with location pins or notches making an assembly unique to ensure assemblies were not used interchangeably on different models of equipment. PVDF or FEP coatings can be applied to stock fittings to aid in food processing, eliminating downtime from build up on normal materials saving time and money. They are available in carbon steel, stainless steel, and special alloys, such as Monel, Hastelloy or Iconel. Sizes range from 1/8 to 4 in.

Suction cups
Duraflex friction cups from Piab grip oily and wet surfaces. Grip pattern enables operators to safely and reliably move slippery metal goods without slowing production lines, helping to reduce product droppage and lower scrap rates. Rough cleat surface and sharp cleat edges and channels create high friction and strong hold. Duraflex polyurethane will not break or crack after exposure to ultraviolet light, heat or ozone. Soft lip molds easily to curved surfaces for less vacuum leakage and stronger grip. Models include BFF for handling concave and convex surfaces and FCF for handling larger metal sheets. Oval shape is available for products with narrow surfaces. They operate in temperatures between 10º to 40º C.

News from MD



Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo –
May 14

Do you know you can get in-depth education on energy-efficiency and all the benefits of an in-person trade show without ever leaving your desk or spending a dime?
The intelligent use of energy is making headlines. Product designers and manufacturers are striving to deliver products that consume less power, extend battery life, generate less heat, or work from alternative energy sources. Our Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo will educate design engineers, product developers, and managers on how to make the best use of energy-efficient product innovations and devices, and on how to arrange them in systems to lower power consumption and stay "green." This special one-day event will include sessions on such areas as:
  • Power-efficient drive techniques for lighting
  • ROI for high-efficiency capital equipment
  • Energy monitoring and energy standards
  • Designing for SEMI S23 and the Energy Act of 2007
  • Working with alternative power and battery technology
Make plans now to attend the Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. The event offers a full day of live webinars and interactive booths, along with a Resource Center where visitors can download or link to additional materials.

Register Now!

Machine Design Video Spotlight

High-flex silicone flat cable
A silicone injection molding process developed by Cicoil Corp. embeds wires, coax, fiber optics, and even piping into a single highly flexible flat cable for industrial applications.


Check Out the New Machinedesign.com

Our newly redesigned web site still features the best content and information for engineers provided by engineers but with these new great features.

Multiple Path Navigation
Find content your way. Improved site navigation creates multiple ways to find the content you are looking for.

Supercharged Search
The search function has been highly improved and tested to provide the most effective results for engineers.

Highlighted Resources
Looking for CAD drawings? Find them in our CAD Library. Download whitepapers in the Whitepaper Library. Valuable educational content is featured in the eBook section. Check out the latest in editorial and sponsored video in the Video section.


UPCOMING WEBCASTS

Design Essentials for Plastic Gear Peformance
Sponsored by Thermotech
DATE: April 9th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

Engineers are focused on creating cost effective, energy efficient designs that offer performance and high value to the end customer. Luckily, advancements in design, materials, manufacturing and inspection have made it possible to meet product development goals and expand plastic gear applications.
The webinar presents a unique approach to plastic gear development including:

  • Critical gear design principles
  • Performance requirements to determine optimal materials selection
  • Overview of tooling optimization technique
  • Metrology methods for plastic gears
  • Live question/answer session with presenters


  • Click here to register!


    Efficiency in Fractional HP Motors & Gearmotors
    Sponsored by Groschopp
    DATE: April 16th, 2009
    TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

    Efficiency is often one of the last factors that design engineers think about when specifying for an OEM application, yet it is critical to a successful, optimized design in many ways. Join Groschopp engineers Ron Didier and Jared Birk for an overview of efficiency as it relates to other design considerations such as power source, operating cost, temperature, purchase cost and size.
    Webcast attendees will receive an early release download of the new STPe desktop design tool that allows engineers to calculate operating cost based on speed, torque and power requirements and local kwh energy costs.

    Click here learn more and to register!


    Improving Collaboration with Customers and Suppliers
    Sponsored by PTC
    DATE: April 23rd, 2009
    TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

    The need to respond and capitalize on new customer requirements is more important than ever during the current economic downturn. However, the pressures of globally distributed design teams and more stringent time, cost, regulatory and quality requirements continue to complicate the product development process. In order to succeed, Small and Medium Organizations need to collaborate across project teams more efficiently to bring the right products to the marketplace at the right time.

    In this live webcast, you’ll learn best practices to effective collaboration:

    • Enabling concurrent engineering with members of a distributed design team
    • Conducting efficient design reviews across the value chain network
    • Creating a controlled collaboration environment
    • Proving secure collaboration to the design team and suppliers
    Learn how to build an engineering collaboration framework that’s best suited for your business

    Click here learn more and to register!


    ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING


    Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.

    Featured Links



    Kurt Hydraulics
    The number 1 hydraulic hose and coupling alternative. Over 1500 coupling models and over 3 million feet of hose. interchangeable with other popular brands and meet SAE specifications.
    www.kurthydraulics.com

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    Editorial questions:   Mary Gannon 216-931-9498
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