Proportional valves are considered both flow and directional valves, to meter flow and control the direction in which flow is metered. When specifying a proportional valve for fluid power control, you need a driver to control the ramp rate and open the valve. Combining these two devices together allows you to have control flow precisely,…

Reduced effort, high value for automating hydraulic systems By: Theobald Herrmann Product Management / Hydraulic Valves, Bosch Rexroth AG The introduction of fieldbus technology in the 1980s was the starting point for horizontal connection of decentralized actuators within machinery. Serial wiring lead to a considerable reduction in cabling and opened new possibilities for modularization in…

The new 70 series “Mini” Hydraulic Preloading and Locking Cylinder from PFA Inc. is a part of the KOR-LOK Side-Action System product line. Providing large preloading capacity in a small cylinder and locking in the preload are the product’s primary advantages. The new cylinder’s 8,000 lb of preload activates force in a new narrow format,…

Known for reliability, innovation and focus on precision flow controls, Clippard’s new Eclipse utilizes the industry’s most robust and powerful miniature linear actuator. This patent pending stepper-controlled proportional valve will lead the industry in performance and durability, the company said. The Eclipse is ideal in critical applications for liquid and gas delivery, medical, analytical and…

Emerson’s fluid control & pneumatics facility in Florham Park, N.J. was recently recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for its leadership in Environmental Stewardship. The facility was highlighted for voluntary and proactive measures taken to improve the environment and foster sustainability. Besides being the headquarters for the fluid control & pneumatics…

By Kevin Kakascik, AutomationDirect So you have a big home project planned for this weekend, like building a deck. Earlier in the week, you stopped at the hardware store and picked up all the lumber and some necessary tools not already in your kit. Now it’s Saturday and you wake up early to get a…

Peninsular Cylinder in Roseville, was voted #1 in the 2nd annual Michigan Manufacturing Association’s “Coolest Thing made In Michigan” competition. This annual competition is open to all Michigan manufacturing companies. Each company submits a product at the Michigan Manufacturing Association website for viewing and judging. From there, association members can vote via social media. Peninsular…

Technology has shifted many former engineering functions to software or electronics over the past couple of decades, and that trend shows few signs of slowing. Let’s take mobile hydraulics as an example. In my career, I’ve met a lot hydraulics people — from system designers to founders of component manufacturers — who started off as…

EXAIR’s compressed air operated Heavy Duty HEPA vac attaches to an ordinary 30, 55, or 110 gallon open top drum to turn it into a powerful, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) quality, industrial vacuum cleaner. Like the Heavy Duty Dry Vac, it’s powerfully designed to move more material with less wear. Engineered for dusty environments…

The Clippard NIV Series Media Isolation Valve is a solenoid-operated device that uses a flexible diaphragm to isolate the actuation mechanism from the fluid path. Media isolation valves are commonly used for a wide variety of applications, including those that require precise, repeatable dispensing of media for analytical instrumentation. All wetted areas of the valve…

The International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) has announced that Marti Wendel, CFPE, CFPS, CFPCC Curtiss-Wright Sprague Products, was elected the 55th president of IFPS during its annual meeting…

Pneumatic Tips

DE-STA-CO introduces a new electric pivot unit that is smaller and lighter than traditional pneumatic units, while providing uniform torque and enhanced versatility. The 98W Electric Pivot Unit enables manufacturers to add a pivot in tight spaces and gain better operational control of electrode tip dressers, clamps and other tools. “With a pneumatic pivot unit,…

Spartan Scientific has announced the debut of a new series of composite plastic solenoid valves that are more cost-effective and considerably lighter than their metal versions. The new Spartan Scientific 6200 Series valves include stainless steel port reinforcing rings for durability, but composite plastic bodies that won’t rust or oxidize like metal does. This provides…

Clippard’s entry into the miniature electronic valve market began in 1973, when Leonard Clippard, founder, introduced the EV line of valves that utilized only one moving part, the “spider.” Today, the EV valve is still serving a very horizontal market with thousands of installed applications in a multitude of industries. Since the initial introduction, several…

The latest data published by the National Fluid Power Association shows industry shipments of fluid power products for February 2014 increased 6.0% compared to February 2013, and decreased 5.1% compared to last month.   Mobile hydraulic, industrial hydraulic and pneumatic shipments increased in February 2014 when compared to February 2013. Mobile hydraulic, industrial hydraulic and pneumatic shipments decreased when compared to last month. These charts are drawn from data collected form more than 80 manufacturers of fluid power products by NFPA’s Confidential Shipment Statistics….

Pneumatic Tips

A full line of highly compressible polyurethane hose that comes in four wall thicknesses for applications ranging from light dust collection to very heavy severe service is available from Flexaust of Warsaw, Indiana. Flexaust Flx-Thane® Series Polyurethane Hose is reinforced with a bronze coated spring steel wire helix and provides excellent compressibility and flexibility as…

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies Simrit (Freudenberg-NOK) is making it easier for its best industry partners to serve their fluid power customers throughout the world. Freudenberg-NOK will introduce its first consolidated Global Fluid Power Catalog at the company’s Preferred Distributor Conference in Las Vegas on March 3. The catalog will provide its preferred distributors with a comprehensive…

Kaman Corporation (NYSE:KAMN) announced that its Distribution Segment, Kaman Distribution Group (Kaman), has executed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the operating assets of B.W. Rogers Company and certain affiliated entities (collectively, B.W. Rogers). The acquisition significantly expands Kaman’s footprint in both fluid power and automation. The transaction is expected to close early in…

The Thomas Model 2250 pressure/vacuum pump provides unprecedented levels of mobility and efficiency, combined with long life, in applications such as medical, analytical and air sampling equipment and office machines. The quiet, low-vibration WOB-L® Piston design Model 2250 utilizes magnesium components that limit the pump’s weight to a mere 2.8 lbs. (1.27 kg). A highly…

Alicat Scientific, Inc.’s new MCD-Series Bidirectional Mass Flow and Pressure Controllers precisely and rapidly control mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate and absolute pressure of gases in two flow directions. This flexible dual-valve design is the first of its kind, allowing researchers to replace multiple dedicated instruments and make rapid changes to experimental setups. Alicat…

When Parker Hannifin’s high-pressure, no-skive Compact Spiral™ hose was introduced in 2009, it raised the bar for flexibility, strength, endurance and weight. Now Parker is adding two new hose sizes typically used in heavy-duty equipment, -24 and -32, as well as adding new fitting end configurations for many applications. The -24 and -32 Compact Spiral…

Using an innovative twin-head design, the Thomas Model 1420 miniature diaphragm pump achieves higher flows than conventional standard diaphragm pumps of the same physical size. The durable, oil-less Model 1420 pump is designed for applications requiring high flow in an extremely compact package, especially in the medical, automotive and business equipment markets. The pump measures…

For more than 65 years, Swagelok® products have provided the highest quality fluid system connections for high performance – helping process analyzers deliver reliable results to users around the world. Sampling systems expert Tony Waters and Swagelok have created a comprehensive reference covering the engineering involved with designing and operating a sampling system for a…

The STAUFF LasPaC II detects the ISO Cleanness levels of hydraulic media. Fluid analysis is a crucial component of any oil management program and early detection of potential problems can prevent costly repairs and downtime. The STAUFF LasPaC II is available in three different versions, each featuring a twin laser system and eight channels for…

NewAge Industries manufactures three versions of polyurethane tubing: unreinforced, braid reinforced and a style designed for pneumatic applications. All three offer the traits polyurethane is known for, namely durability, natural flexibility, excellent weathering characteristics and good chemical resistance. Typical uses include air and liquid transfer, granular material and abrasive powder lines, cable jacketing, insulation sleeves,…