Pneumatics taking out the trash?

People are always proposing pneumatic tubes for all sorts of far-fetched ideas (going back at least to the Jetsons!), but the folks are Greener Ideal think that pneumatic tubes are the future of garbage removal. Their interesting piece details some of what’s being done on Roosevelt Island area of New York City. 16 residential towers there are already part of the system.

If that wasn’t enough sci-fi news for pneumatics, some students at Brigham Young University recently made news when they created a Batman-inspired wall scaling system that uses a compressed air cannon to shoot a grappling hook up several stories. Fun stuff!

There seems to be a lot of stuff happening in pneumatics the past few weeks. Tata Motors has been all over the news with the viability tests of their proposed compressed air car being completed. BodyShop Business reports that CAGI, the Compressed Air and Gas Institute, has a re-designed website. Looks nice, check it out at CAGI.org. Airline Hydraulics Corp. and SMC Corp. of America recently signed a distribution agreement covering New England. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao took a whirlwind tour of Europe recently, and his stops included Festo Corp. and Bosch Rexroth. British compressor manufacturer Mattei has stated that the new international standard ISO 11011, Compressed air – Energy efficiency – Assessment, will help compressed air users to save energy, while also standardizing energy audits. And, hey! Pneumatic shipments are up, says the NFPA.

Product news includes extra large suction cups from PIAB, modular safety lockout valves from Ross Controls, a way-cool robotic hand from Festo Corp., and a gage “instrument doctor,” who is now on call from Ashcroft.

In the online realm, check out this nice EXAIR blog on the parts of a compressed air system. And Festo Corp. has been pushing engineers to its Facebook page as of late. Look at this interesting video of a soft pneumatic gripper developed at Harvard. And speaking of videos, here’s a fun one from the Engineering Exchange, a chitty chatty bing bang compressed air GoKart.

I love this offbeat story about John Smith, president and CEO of Ross Controls Co., who is apparently also a big shot in the banjo world. Interface Devices will be appearing on the “World’s Greatest!” TV show. And in the maybe-not-appropriate-for-work department, it was reported that the new Vibrator Museum opening in San Francisco includes a compressed air version of the, um, self-help devices, called The Detwiller Pneumatic, from 1906.

Looking for a job? Steiner Electric Co. in the Chicago area is searching for a Pneumatics Product Manager. And Camozzi Pneumatics wants a Regional Sales Manager in the Dallas area.

Lastly, we have a free webinar on lockout/tagout information for pneumatic systems on May 30th. Sign up now!
Hot Tweets of note:

@SMCCorporation Excellent view of how automatic leak detection works vimeo.com/39710287and a great cool gadgets video… fb.me/1uBib8xYZ

@TheNFPA [EL] Correct sizing of pneumatic cylinders helps save $300K per year bit.ly/JbaQ0R via Compressed Air Best Practices

@acecontrols ‘More could be done’ on Olympic Park motion control: Vibration is one element of motion control that was overloo… bit.ly/K0xCoA

Free webinar on the role of lockout/tagout in pneumatic safety

The ability to identify and control hazardous energy is a critical point for any industrial safety program. This webinar will provide background on the applicable OSHA and ANSI standards and help attendees to better understand the importance and application of lockout/tagout procedures as they relate to pneumatic safety.

Attendees can expect to learn:

- What OSHA’s Top 10 most frequently violated standards were in 2011
- What OSHA and ANSI standards are most applicable to Pneumatic Safety
- What the “Best Practices” are for safety while maintaining industrial machinery
- How to audit existing Lockout/Tagout procedures to insure you are providing the highest level of protection for your workers

Join Editorial Director Paul Heney as he explores this topic on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT. Register here.

BURNDY Y6NCP Series pneumatic tools ideal for OEM production

BURNDY (www.burndy.com) has introduced a new series of pneumatic crimping tools specifically developed for medium volume OEM production, the Y6NCP series.

The all-new pneumatic tools provide a UL Listed connection that will cater to a vast variety of Burndy connectors and splices that range from #22 to #4 AWG.

In order to serve the varying application needs and requirements of customers, Burndy offered the Y6NCP pneumatic crimping tools in two different variants.

The first variant is the Y6NCP1. Utilizing the Burndy J-Die system, this variant comes with an extended wire that range from #22 to #4 AWG and offers pull-out forces that surpass Mil-Spec/SAE. This makes the Y6NCP1 pneumatic tool ideally suited for applications demanding higher wire pull-out forces such as those used in high vibration environments.

Meanwhile, the second variant is the Y6NCP1-SD. Equipped with an industry Standard Die envelope, the Y6NCP1-SD pneumatic tools are capable of crimping #22 to #10 AWG wire for insulated as well as uninsulated splices and terminals. Providing the same profile as the BURNDY MRE-Ergonomic hand tools, the Y6NCP1-SD is perfect for customers looking for a reasonably priced UL Listed “system” termination solution.

In addition, the Y6NCP1-SD offer two die sets that can cover #22 to #10 AWG wire range for both uninsulated and insulated splices and terminals. The J-Die systems are sold separately.

Aside from the pneumatic tool, the Y6NCP tools are also packed with clear safety guards, air hose, jaw assembly and fittings.

DSM-HD pneumatic swivel module offers versatile rotating drive solution

Festo (www.festo.com) has introduced a guided pneumatic swivel module that delivers a versatile rotating drive solution for difficult and larger loads.

Ideal for manufacturing automation, the DSM-HD swivel module eliminates the need for additional guidance or bearing system while seamlessly combining a precision heavy duty bearing with a high performance semi-rotary vane drive to conveniently rotate larger loads via adjustable angle up to 270 degrees.

From a standard compressed air supply of 1.5 to 10 bar, Festo’s DSM-HD pneumatic swivel module delivers significant torque output and accommodates higher moments of inertial and high radial and axial forces. This makes the swivel module suitable for use in demanding applications with offset or large loads as well as in semi- or fully-automatic manufacturing handling and assembly automation that may require the application of added force to its flange during the operation.

Festo offers customers with a selection of six DSM-HD swivel modules, with frame sizes ranging from 12 to 63 and higher load capability than other alternative products. All six modules feature a compact design to facilitate machine integration.

With a caged precision ball bearing race on the periphery, the DSM-HD swivel modules can maintain running accuracy even when subjected to high cantilevered and thrust forces.

Unlike comparable swivel modules, the DSM-HD has been specifically developed to be easier to integrate. For easy control of attachments such as gripper or clamp units, the vane drive’s hollow shaft allows air tubes or electrical cables to be routed through the drive’s body. Meanwhile, the body features three mounting holes on the sides and on the front and rear faces, effectively providing a flexible mounting arrangement that enables the module to be securely fitted in any desired position.

First look at Festo’s pneumatic ExoHand HMI system

Festo has been active on the cutting edge of design the last few years, from the award-winning design of its M9 compressed air preparation units to its elegant SmartBird and elephant-inspired robotic arm. So it’s great to see the latest item to come out of their German design team, the ExoHand. And nice to see pneumatics playing a prominent role in this design, which could be revolutionary in the huge human-machine interface (HMI) market. The release is below.

* * * * *

Presented for the first time at Hanover Fair, the ExoHand from Festo is a solution for future human-machine cooperation in industrial environments based on soft robotics. It is designed to meet the challenge of an aging population by functioning as an assistance system for assembly tasks in production. As a force feedback system, the ExoHand can extend people’s scope of action in production environments. It can also be used as a platform for the development of new applications in service robotics as well as personal assistance systems.

The ExoHand is an exoskeleton that is individually adapted to the human hand. The fingers can be actively moved and their strength amplified. The hand movements can be registered and transmitted to robotic hands in real time. The exoskeleton is a structure that supports the human hand externally and simulates the physiological degrees of freedom of the hand.

Eight pneumatic actuators move the exoskeleton. Sensors record the forces, angles and distances. Servo pneumatic open- and closed-loop control algorithms allow precise movement of the individual finger joints. The ExoHand thus supports the various possibilities for gripping and touching which a human hand has. The pneumatic components allow highly flexible and ergonomic control of the individual finger joints. High forces can thus be transmitted precisely in a small space and with a low weight without the system becoming rigid and restrictive. This flexibility is crucial in human-machine interaction, as it minimises the risk of injury.

Despite a high level of automation, there are still many assembly tasks in industry that can only be performed by humans. Many of these are repetitive tasks that cause fatigue and can be particularly challenging for older members of the workforce. The ExoHand helps operators to remain working longer without incurring permanent physical damage. It can be used as an assistance system, providing enhanced strength for assembly tasks.

When used for remote manipulation of a robotic hand in an industrial environment, the ExoHand allows complex activities in for example dangerous or hazardous environments to be carried out from some distance away. Because all joints and their actuators exist in the form of an exoskeleton outside of the actual hand, the ExoHand can be worn over a human hand or an artificial hand made from silicone. The ExoHand performs two functions here—acting firstly as an interface between the operator and the control system and secondly as a robotic hand. This allows the control of a complete artificial hand with virtually all of the relevant degrees of freedom.

With a single system it is thus possible to design an innovative scenario that combines robotics with orthotics. Forces can be transmitted to the hand as force feedback from another environment, creating an ability to feel shapes. This technology offers enormous potential not only for remote manipulation, but also for navigation in the virtual world.

Synergies in service robotics and rehabilitation
With the ExoHand, Festo has not only developed an effective solution for industrial automation, but also established itself as a pioneer in the area of service robotics. When the ExoHand is used in combination with a robot in domestic or medical environments, human-like characteristics are absolutely essential. The flexibility of pneumatic systems in particular ensures reliable human-machine interaction.

The solution also offers benefits in rehabilitation. In stroke therapy, for example, this hand orthosis can be used to help treat the first signs of paralysis in patients. The ExoHand can be used together with a brain-computer interface to create a closed feedback loop. It can help stroke patients who are showing the first signs of paralysis to restore the missing connection between brain and hand. An electroencephalography signal (EEG) from the brain indicates the patient’s desire to open or close the hand. The active hand orthosis then performs the movement. The result is a training effect, which over time helps patients to move their hand again without any technical assistance. Festo is working together with the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience at the University Hospital Tübingen on this subject.

Festo Corp.

Automation Studio P6 is released

Automation Studio P6 is a multi-user environment. This allows users to perform collaborative work on a project through data sharing and synchronization between different users. Thanks to the Access Rights Manager, users can set access restrictions in reading, publishing, etc. Thus, they can safely share their projects, be it with customers, suppliers, and of course colleagues.

Configurable project explorer
Project Explorer is fully customizable. It allows users, dependent on their needs, to view the necessary and appropriate information. The new interface provides users with a global project overview and keeps them updated on the status of each one of its documents.

LAN/WAN licenses management
Users can access Automation Studio License Server through a LAN or WAN connection. The server provides license usage logs and statistics.

Simulation improvements
The simulation in P6 takes into consideration several additional phenomena and improves the evaluation of many existing ones, including:

• Cavitation
• Vapor pressure of the oil
• Motor and pump volumetric and total efficiency
• Very high pressure system (>5000 Bar)

NFPA data shows pneumatic shipments are up

The most recent data published by the National Fluid Power Association indicates that shipments of fluid power products for February 2012 increased 16.3% when compared to February 2011 and was up 1.2% when compared to the previous month. The three main industry components—pneumatics, mobile hydraulics and industrial hydraulics—all showed growth both year over year and month over month.

The charts and data below are compiled from the NFPA’s Confidential Shipment Statistics program, which collects data from more than 80 manufacturers of fluid power products.

National Fluid Power Association

Bosch Rexroth launches GoTo Products iPad app

Bosch Rexroth’s expanding GoTo Focused Delivery Program now has a new tool, the GoTo Products iPad App. Now available from the GoTo Products iPad App page on the iTunes app store, the new App takes all the advantages of Rexroth’s GoTo Focused Delivery Program and combines them into one easy-to-use iPad App.

All GoTo program product catalogs, comprising more than 3000 linear motion, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric drives and controls and tightening systems products, have been combined into one digital resource. The GoTo Products iPad App offers an up-to-date resource for project managers, engineers and other personnel on the go who need ready access to product information and specifications.

The App makes full use of the Apple iPad’s advanced capabilities, with graphical menus and user-friendly touchscreen control that make it easy to access specific details on in-demand Rexroth products for manufacturing, automation and machinery engineering. Users can search by product category, by selecting from a master product directory, or through the App’s built-in search tools.

Detailed product pages include all up-to-date material from the print catalogs: technical data, dimension and specification tables, product visuals and other information. The App also includes video clips explaining key features of various Rexroth technologies, such as linear motion systems and hydraulics.

Users can bookmark favorite products for faster access. They can also build product lists with a few finger-taps, then e-mail the list to their preferred distributors or Rexroth to inquire about availability, pricing or shipment schedules

The GoTo Products iPad App also includes built-in access to Bosch Rexroth social media resources, including the company’s Facebook page, Twitter feeds and its YouTube channel, providing additional product information and technical material such as case studies, training videos and product demonstrations.

Bosch Rexroth Corp.

Fluid power Q&A with: Charles Raskin, Dynetic Systems

Chuck Raskin, P.E., is R&D Manager and Principle R&D Engineer for Elk River, Minn.-based Dynetic Systems.

How did you get into engineering or fluid power specifically?
I started out when I was about 11-years old. I was interested in how things worked and my parents supported me. A friend of my folks was a Master Plumber in N.Y. and taught me how to read blueprints when I was about 12. It just went on from there.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing engineers today?
A lack of instructor knowledge. I do not mean to imply that the teachers and professors are not smart, they are . . . but it takes more than ‘book’ knowledge to teach and make students understand and get excited about the subject they are teaching.

What is the biggest misconception about fluid power?
That it is easy to engineer, sense and control fluids and gases. We are currently in the process of developing a unit to run from -60C to +125C without a uP, which takes an understanding of control theory as well as fluid dynamics. That is what is missing . . . a bigger picture than just plumbing fluids or gases through pipes.

What do you think has been the biggest development in fluid power technology over the past five years?
The mechanics, sensory devices and control capability.

Do you think engineers get enough respect in today’s world?
Respect is earned, not deserved . . .

Would you encourage your kids or grandkids to pursue an engineering career?
Only in systems engineering and problem solving which is what I do . . .

If you could no longer be an engineer, what other career path would you follow?
Teach engineering from a systems perspective

What is the coolest project you’ve ever worked on in your career?
There were actually several: High speed date coder, high speed tape applicator for 3M in a paper mill, moon rover, bombsight for the F105 jet during the Vietnam War.

 

New mobile website introduced by NOSHOK

Berea, Ohio—NOSHOK announced the launch of its new mobile website. This touch-optimized, mobile-friendly site is designed to accommodate all popular smart phones and tablets, and showcases NOSHOK’s comprehensive product offering in an easy-to-navigate format.

The mobile site’s navigation allows for quick product reference for the company’s pressure, level, temperature and force measurement instruments, needle and manifold valves, transducers, transmitters, gages and valves. There are also links to request additional information via e-mail on every product page, as well as click-to-call buttons.

In addition to product information, the site provides key corporate contact links, a Google Map locator, and a featured product section for promotions and discounts.

NOSHOK