MD_Fluid Power Monthly_: Crab boat catches huge fuel savings

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The latest information on hydraulic and pneumatic motion control.

May 2, 2011

Don't just read us, join us!

In today's interactive world, simply reading our magazine or this enewsletter is just the beginning of what you can learn from Hydraulics & Pneumatics. We also offer in-person events and social media avenues to help you find more fluid power information and connect with your peers.

For example, hydraulics are used extensively in waste reduction equipment, as you can see from the article below from our archives, highlighting the powerful hydraulics used to crush cars in scrap yards. So it makes sense that next week, May 9-12, we will be holding our Fluid Power Conference & Expo, in conjunction with WasteExpo. If you're in the Dallas area, already planning to attend WasteExpo, or interested in learning more about the basics of fluid power systems in waste management vehicles and machinery, register to attend now!

Also, if the articles, columns and products below don't fully satisfy your curiosity for all things fluid power, come join us in the social media sphere, on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join in!

- Mary C. Gannon

Articles

From the archives: Hydraulics squeezes cash out of scrap

As recycling gains momentum, fluid power continues to supply the muscle to safely and efficiently dismantle and process cars for subsequent reclamation of materials.

Car crushers provide a dramatic illustration of the power of hydraulics. In a matter of seconds, cars that have taken the pounding of highways for thousands of miles are effortlessly reduced into a pile of scrap. The crushing makes subsequent handling more productive because three or even four crushed cards can fit into the same space as one whole car. This is the philosophy of recycling – squeeze out the empty space from scrap to reduce its size.

Original Line Cylinders

Since 1957, Bimba Original Line Cylinders have been the industry standard for economical, easy-to-use, stainless steel body air cylinders and have earned a reputation as hard-working, long-lasting performers.
The Benefits of the Original Line Include:

Unrivaled selection with more bore sizes, mounting styles and options than any other company
Immediate delivery on many models and sizes that are in-stock and ready-to-ship
Worldwide availability through local stocking distributors
Custom-design capabilities for your specific needs

www.bimba.com

Crab boat catches huge fuel savings
Commercial fishing boats burn hundreds of gallons of fuel simply travelling from their home port to their destination, then back again. Traditional drive systems typically have the boat’s captain choose an arbitrary speed, and because time is money, engines often operate at near their top cruising speed — usually in excess of 1000 rpm. In the case of the North American, a 35-yr old crab boat based in Seattle, running the engine 1025 rpm consumes 42 gal of fuel per hour. The North American is an 110-ft house forward fishing vessel capable of carrying a full load of king crabs weighing 170,000 lb. It ventures north from Seattle for the Alaskan king crab fishing season.

Web Exclusive: Hydraulic pumps power drill used in Chilean mine rescue

Last year, the world watched the drama unfold in a Chilean gold mine, as 33 miners worked together to survive for more than two months whiled trapped underground. As rescuers put plans together to dig down and save them, it was clear that hydraulics would play some part. So it’s no surprise that variable displacement pumps from Bosch Rexroth Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill., were used to power the Schramm Inc. T130XD mobile drilling rig that eventually bore through the earth and reached the men.

Fluid Power Tips, Issue 2: Hydraulic fluid - hotter than a jalapeno in a heat wave Josh Cosford, CFPHS, The Fluid Power House (Cambridge) Inc.

How much money does your maintenance department have in its budget to pay for replacing hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of hydraulic fluid every year? Is there room left in that budget to pay for pumps, valves and other hydraulic components? You're probably wondering why I'm asking. It's not because your fluid is overheated due to someone throwing hot peppers in your hydraulic reservoirs.

New Products

Coiled hose
Fast-Stor DURA-flex twin line hose from Parker Parflex is a non-conductive, twin line retractable coiled hose that is 28% lighter than competing rubber hose products, reducing operator fatigue and extending the life of the hose. It also offers increased flexibility for easy handling, even in extremely cold temperatures Bend restrictors allow it to bend freely while reducing kink potential. It is UV and ozone resistant, reducing degradation and eliminating cracking and moisture ingression. It exceeds SAE J517 for less than 50 micro-amps leakage at 75,000 V/ft and maintains non-conductivity, keeping the operator safe from electric shock. Dual construction design eliminates need for tie wraps.

Air Driven Liquid Pumps

E-, H- & P-Series Pumps are ready-to-run, built to your specifications, tested at our facility and arrive ready for installation. These pumps offer integrated pneumatic and hydraulic circuit options. Peak hydraulic horsepower output of 1.35 (1 kW) @ 2/3 stall pressure, max air consumption of 29 scfm and pressures to 10,000 psi (680 bar). Custom, purpose-built models can be designed and manufactured by our engineering staff.

www.interfacedevices.com

Pneumatic blowgun
MultiFLOW blowgun from CEJN can clean with water or air, while delivering high power with tight flow control. Powerful air flow generates up to 1200 lpm for effective cleaning, cooling and drying in air and fluid applications. It is rated for pressures to 16 bar. An integrated steel nipple/adapter vents downstream pressure when disconnected, reducing hose whip and noise. Nozzle adjusts flow from narrow jet to wide beam for specific cleaning needs. Handle functions set precision flow, as well as activate “save” setting for repeat applications.

Wireless process transmitter
Omega’s new wireless process transmitter for sensors with voltage or current output converts process signal to wireless up to 120 m. It accepts 0 to 1 V, 0 to 5 V, 0 to 10 V and 4 to 20 mA signals. Free software for monitoring, recording, and data logging is included. It features low power operation/sleep mode for long battery life and works with UWTC-REC family of wireless receivers.

News from MD

New white papers from HP and Intel:

Realistic User Productivity Comparisons for Upgrade Decision Making

AutoCAD® users can appreciate the rock-solid dependable performance they demand from HP and Intel® processor-based workstations. The Intel® Core™ and Xeon® processor-based workstation portfolio includes a wide range of machines that fit multiple user segments, from entry, mobile, essential, and digital workbench users.

Return on Innovation: Making Individuals More Productive

The value proposition for equipping technical and creative professionals has drastically changed. The unprecedented combination of economic pressure and technological advancement has rewritten the rules of how to do more with less. Teams may forego new hires or do the same work with fewer staff, yet they can avail themselves to new tools and techniques. The challenge then becomes how to equip these valuable and fewer number of professionals to be more productive and innovative.

Click here to register and download

Machine Design's WORLD'S SMARTEST DESIGN ENGINEER
The 2nd season has begun! Players from across the globe are still competing for fun, education, prizes and the ultimate bragging rights. Thanks to our sponsors for their support of the exciting online opportunity for engineers! Play Now!

Altech Corp.
Bimba Manufacturing Co.
Deublin
Maxon Motor
Northwire
R+W America
Simrit
Smalley Steel Ring

Also, please visit and register for our first World's Smartest Design Engineer Study Guides on Machine Design. Brush up on motion control basics and learn more to help you with the game.

Design-2-Part Show

May 3-4 — Design-2-Part Shows (D2P) and the Illinois Reshoring Initiative, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to create more business and jobs for Illinois manufacturing companies, are collaborating to promote American manufacturing at The Greater Chicago Design-2-Part Show. The show, the region's largest dedicated to contract manufacturing, will take place at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.
Harry Moser, founder of the national Reshoring Initiative will deliver the seminar, "Returning Manufacturing to America," from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.
For more information or to register, visit www.reshoringd2p.com or http://news.d2p.com.

Cable Compliance for OEM Applications
Key Standards, Regulations and Processes to Improve Product Design, Performance and Quality, While Expediting Time to Market
Sponsored by: Northwire Inc.
Date: May 12, 2011
Time: 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT

Original Equipment Manufacturers rely on the success of their components. In order to meet or exceed final product requirements, engineers and buyers must develop a strategic partnership with their component suppliers who will help them navigate complex domestic and international standards, agency compliance, environmental regulations and mechanical, electrical, ergonomic, aesthetic requirements and often times government contracting. The sheer volume of related information represents a significant technical burden for engineers and buyers and contract administrators. Northwire’s engineers have created a technical course to enhance your competitive advantage.

register today!

ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.