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| The latest information on hydraulic and
pneumatic motion control.
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June 15, 2009
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Get your summer reading
here
Summer is on us in full swing, so be sure to check out this month's
web exclusive article on fluid maintenance during the warm summer
months. We also highlight reservoirs, modular pump drives, and new,
unique hydraulic fluids from the rain forest in this issue.
If you're looking for additional reading, be sure to visit our website. Our bookstore offers about 15 fluid power textbooks
for sale, including a full collection of editions from industry
consultant Jack Johnson. Be sure to check out the shelves today.
If purchasing a book is not in your budget, don't miss our eBooks, online editions of introductory texts
about fluid power systems and circuit design from author Bud Trinkel. We
launch new chapters each month, with about 35 chapters available for
reading online.
Stop in today, and enjoy the start of summer!
- Mary C. Gannon
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Reservoirs keep it together
When it comes to reservoir design, bigger is not necessarily better.
In fact, the trend is to provide smaller reservoirs. In addition to
holding in reserve enough fluid to supply a hydraulic system’s varying
needs, a reservoir provides a variety of other critical system
operations.
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Web Exclusive - Is your hydraulic fluid ready
for summer?
Remember that hydraulic problem you had last summer that just went
away once winter came? Well if nothing has been done about it, you can
welcome it back with a vengeance soon! High ambient temperatures present
special challenges for hydraulic machines and the more you do to prepare
them for summer, the less trouble you will have when the temperature
rises.
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Harvest time for hydraulic fluids
Many of us in the Great Lakes area of North America look forward to
late spring and early summer because it’s when strawberries ripen. So
instead of having to tolerate the store-bought berries that are mostly
white inside and have little flavor, we get to enjoy fresh-picked fruit
that is red throughout, sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. Makes the
mouth water just thinking about them.
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Modular drives allow versatility in design
Versatility is one of the biggest advantages of hydraulics. It’s
equally at home producing rotational motion as it is generating linear
motion. Furthermore, today’s electrohydraulic controls make it a cinch
to precisely control force, torque, speed direction, or any other
dynamic parameter. Therefore, once a hydraulic drive has been specified
for a machine, it only makes sense to tap into that hydraulic system for
multiple functionality.
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Biodegradable fluids
Symbio bio-hydraulic fluid from The Dow Performance Fluids Business
contains more than 50% high oleic canola oil, and is a biodegradable,
general purpose product that provides high anti-wear performance
compared to other synthetic fluids containing renewable oils. Designed
for use in stationary industrial hydraulic systems, it provides better
thermo oxidative stability than other canola based-fluids as well as
synthetic ester/vegetable oil fluids, thus reducing maintenance
requirements and the potential for unplanned downtime. Renewable content
and biodegradable properties can help users meet strict environmental
regulations while ensuring that critical industrial equipment is
protected against wear. It is non-sludging and non-varnishing, even
during high stress and high heat operations, contributing to less
maintenance costs and unplanned downtime.
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Electro-pneumatic positioners
Series 275 Precisor III electro-pneumatic positioners from W. E.
Anderson, a div. of Dwyer Instruments Inc., accurately control valve
stroke of rotary motion valves such as ball or butterfly valves based
on an input signal of 4-to-20 mA from the controller. NEMA 4X (IP 66)
enclosure rating protects micro processing unit inside the positioner.
Output analog feedback signal is included to stabilize any valve system,
and easy-to-use functions such as auto calibration ensures accuracy.
Low air consumption reduces operating cost, but does not sacrifice
performance. An LCD screen attached to the outer face of the unit allows
for easy inspection of the positioner condition while in the field.
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Heavy-duty rod locks
RLSS series rod locks from Nexen Group Inc. deliver strong holding
capabilities with low backlash for demanding linear motion control
applications where high accuracy is required. Spring-engaged,
air-released series features a wide clamping surface to ensure high
holding forces even during power/pressure loss, providing reliable
precision gripping of up to 5026 lb. Numerous ball bearings transfer
spring force onto clamping collar, for large clamping areas that provide
uniform force to contact area on every engagement. Cam-operated manual
release feature mechanically disengages rod lock with no special tools
needed. They are available in ISO and NFPA sizes.
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Two-way valves
Series 8262/8263 two-way direct acting solenoid valves from ASCO
feature increased ac and dc pressure ratings and real-time online
configuration and ordering. They come in normally-closed, brass, and
stainless steel constructions and can be used to control the flow of
air, water, and light oil and are available in 1/8-, 1/4-, and 3/8-in.
pipe sizes.
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Machine Design Video Spotlight
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Linear motor vs.
belt-drive actuators |
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Woody Yen from THK America Inc. talks
about the advantages of linear-motor-driven actuators and belt-drive
actuators with Lee Teschler of MACHINE DESIGN |
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UPCOMING WEBCASTS
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DATE: June 25th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
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ROBUST HYDRAULIC CONTROL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
HAWE proportional spool valves are sensitive yet powerful and suitable
for the harshest of environments. Design safer, cleaner and more
efficient hydraulic system. (704) 509-1599, www.hawehydraulics.com, sales@hawehydraulics.com
Free brochure: Tolomatic VRX vane rotary actuators deliver high
torque, withstand high axial and radial loads
New Tolomatic VRX vane rotary actuators provide an economical and
powerful solution for rotary actuation up to 280 degrees. They can be
built to order in five days or less. For a free 12-page brochure, visit
www.tolomatic.com/vrx.
Exlar's patented actuator technology offers many times the
life of ball screw actuators and provides an efficient
electro-mechanical replacement for hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.
These digitally controlled products
offer several advantages over other technologies.
www.exlar.com
Direct-acting valves
Air cylinders are available in heavy-duty brass or stainless steel in
bore sizes to 3 in. They are corrosion resistant and operate for
millions of production cycles. Online configurator offers CAD models in
2D and 3D for easier ordering.
www.clippard.com/cylinders/
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Mary Gannon
216-931-9498
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
1300 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
©2009 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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