Danfoss Power Solutions has extended its PVG valve portfolio with the addition of PVG 48, a pre-compensated proportional control valve for mobile machinery. Designed for applications requiring flow rates of up to 180 liters per minute (47.6 gallons per minute), PVG 48 provides customers with a right-sized option between the existing PVG 32 and PVG…
Mini machines draw ICUEE crowds
A growing trend among many mobile equipment users is the move to smaller machines, as evidenced by the number of attendees flocking to OEM displays at the ICUEE show in Louisville, Ky. Caterpillar offered test drives of its upgraded 303E CR mini hydraulic excavator that the company says is built for productive work in confined […]
Why do cylinders fail on an excavator?
Hydraulics works well in extreme conditions, including in mobile equipment such as excavators. Hydraulic systems run at higher pressures here, typically 4,000 psi or more. The components used, including the cylinders, are very heavy duty in nature, and they have high duty cycles—which means these machines can run for hours at a time—continuously. And, it […]
What makes a quality hydraulic component?
If you’ve been around the hydraulic world for a while, you’ll have noticed there is a price discrepancy between various component manufacturers. Whether there is a correlation between price and quality is a discussion unto itself, but regardless, you can’t argue the price range is vast. Let’s assume for this missive that higher priced components […]
A look ahead with JARP Industries’ CEO, Kevin Kraft
Last month, Wisconsin-based JARP Industries, a manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders, purchased Ordered Motion Systems Inc. (OMS), a nearby producer of large bore, telescopic cylinders. I spoke with JARP CEO, Kevin Kraft, about the combined company’s direction and outlook. Kraft explained that, as the NFPA’s market statistics readily show, almost all of the company’s markets […]
APEM introduces 5-way industrial joystick
APEM has introduced the newest addition to its expanding industrial joystick line: the NV series. This new switch-based miniature joystick offers 4 directional outputs, plus a 5th center pushbutton option—providing a positive, tactile feedback in all directions for precise and secure fingertip control. The compact 16mm NV series is available with either a castle or conical […]
AEM Hall of Fame announces 2016 inductees
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers announces the 2016 inductees into the AEM Hall of Fame, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding individuals in the off-road equipment industry, and their legacy of innovation, service and leadership. The two inductees into the 2016 AEM Hall of Fame are Ray Hagie, founder of Hagie Manufacturing LLC, and Robert L. […]
Dana to purchase select Brevini Group businesses
Dana Incorporated today announced a definitive agreement to purchase the power-transmission and fluid power businesses of Brevini Group, S.p.A. Under terms of the agreement, Dana plans to initially purchase an 80% share in the Brevini businesses, with an option to purchase the remaining 20% by 2020. Dana has valued 100 percent of the Brevini businesses […]
Engineering education: The science vs technology split
Although it’s been more than two decades since I received my engineering degree, it took me this long to fully understand engineering education. My breakthrough came last month when Dan Burklo, Dean of Math, Science, and Engineering Technologies, Northwest State Community College, spoke at a manufacturing workforce conference in Columbus, Ohio, that I attended. Burklo […]
Sun Hydraulics agrees to acquire Enovation Controls
Sun Hydraulics Corporation has entered into an agreement with Enovation Controls, LLC, an Oklahoma-based and privately held provider of electronic control, display and instrumentation solutions, to acquire its Power Controls (PC) and Vehicle Technologies (VT) lines of business. The acquisition is expected to close in 30 days, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing […]
9 dumb mistakes people make when designing fluid power systems
Sometimes dumb is relative. Was Einstein dumb because he brushed off quantum entanglement as “spooky action at a distance?” He was wrong, of course, because two entangled subatomic…
Eaton’s new EPPV proportional pressure reducing pilot valve
Power management company Eaton today announced the new EPPV5 and EPPV6, a family of proportional pressure reducing pilot valves with excellent reliability and hysteresis performance. The latest addition…
Mining school engineering faculty grant period opens in December
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Foundation is pleased to announce the application period for the Ph.D. Fellowship and Academic Career Development Grants will run December…
Lightning Hybrids named “Breakthrough Cleantech Company” by Colorado Cleantech Industries Association
Lightning Hybrids, a designer and manufacturer of the hydraulic hybrid ERS (Energy Recovery System) for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles, has been named 2016 Cleantech Breakout Company by…
Linde Hydraulics names Simmendinger as director, products and markets
Tobias Simmendinger has been appointed Director Products & Markets at the industrial technology company Linde Hydraulics. In this function, he is responsible globally for the firm’s Product Management,…
Caterpillar’s Erick Scarpone named SAE/AEM outstanding young engineer
Erick Scarpone, Manufacturing Engineer 3 with Caterpillar Inc. has received the SAE/AEM Outstanding Young Engineer award in 2016 for the off-highway and powerplant industry. The award recognizes industry…
JARP Industries completes acquisition of Ordered Motion Systems
JARP Industries, a manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders, has completed an asset purchase agreement of Ordered Motion Systems, Inc. (OMS), the Wausau, Wis.-based producer of large bore, telescopic cylinders….
Cleveland Regional Meeting program announced
Two Speaker Presentations in Cleveland this November This year’s NFPA Cleveland Regional Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, will feature two speakers, each with unique presentation topics: Alicia…
What is electronic control in fluid power?
Hydraulic valves operate most commonly in one of three ways; mechanical/manual control, pilot control or electric control. Mechanical control involves something physical pushing on the valve, such as…
ICUEE — The Demo Expo Honored as “Gold 100” Top Trade Show
Just about 11 years ago, when I was a new technical editor covering fluid power technology, I attended my first trade show—ICUEE, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition,…
Eaton’s Brenner talks hydraulics and state of the mining industry
I spoke with Paul Brenner, global marketing manager for Eaton Hydraulics of Eden Prairie, Minn. at the recent MINExpo show in Las Vegas. We discussed the challenges of the…
Balluff hosts Manufacturing Day Event with over 200 students and community members
Balluff hosted its second annual Manufacturing Day event on October 7. Over 200 students and local community members attended the event to learn more about modern manufacturing and…
Permco Inc. announces a long-term strategic alliance with China’s XCMG
Permco Inc. has announced that it has developed a long-term strategic alliance with XCMG, the ninth largest construction equipment maker in the world. XCMG was ranked the number one brand name in…
Will shifting job roles make manufacturers better or worse?
People older than a certain age like to talk about how their parents (well, in most cases, their fathers) worked their entire career at the same company. There’s…
Where do you locate fluid power components?
We at Fluid Power World write many articles about fluid power components, but less often do we write about where these components are located in a system. You…