A milk processing and packaging facility had two independent compressed air systems that were running inefficient modulating style compressors to produce the air needed to keep the compressed air powered machines running smoothly. With the help of their power utility, they were able to consolidate their two systems into one using a new variable speed […]
Compressed Air Fail: Cooling choke
A tire manufacturer used air cooled lubricated screw compressors to feed the production machinery in their medium-sized plant. The plant is located in an extremely hot climate. Over the years, some of the air compressors at the plant reached the end of their useful life and were replaced. Because the production demand was growing, the […]
MD&M East update: Automation is on tap
This year’s MD&M East—and its associated shows, like ATX East, East PACK, etc.—are back in New York at the Javits Convention Center this week, and there’s a good buzz about the show. The economy is chugging along, according to exhibitors, and there is reason for optimism in the coming quarters. Here’s a sampling of what […]
Mobile hydraulics powers vacuum lifting
Vacuum-lifting attachments make construction equipment more productive. Construction equipment has long been used to move material like large pipes and concrete slabs, typically with ropes, chains or slings tied to the bucket or stick. Lately, however, operators of these machines are turning to vacuum-lifting technology as a faster and safer alternative. According to officials at […]
No turning back on IoT
After spending a week at the recent Hannover Fair, one comes to the inescapable conclusion that most everyone with a stake in the future of fluid power is either embracing the concepts of IoT, or is at least watching as the changes unfold. We’ve all heard the hype surrounding what’s called the fourth industrial revolution—the […]
Servopneumatics embraces Cinema 4.0
Experiencing films with all the senses is what cinema audiences can expect in one of the world’s 18,000 MediaMation cinema seats. With this concept, the whole body senses the movie, thanks to movements controlled by Festo’s servopneumatics and VTEM motion terminals. In essence, this provides a unique way of combining the digital world with pneumatics. […]
Predictive maintenance at the forefront at Hannover
Moving beyond simple preventive maintenance for fluid-power systems, more than a dozen companies are looking to the future in a special Predictive Maintenance 4.0 exhibit at the Hannover Fair. The goal is not only to monitor the condition of machines and note anomalies, but also to use analytics and cloud-based systems to determine the remaining […]
Compressed air fail: The value of measuring
A food processing plant was running out of compressed air capacity and decided to bring in an auditor to assess the size of the new compressor. The auditor hooked up his instruments to measure compressor pressure, power consumption and flow. Very soon, the auditor began to notice that things didn’t quite add up. When in […]
Saving air with a pulsating flow
We’ve written quite a bit lately about Parker Hannifin’s air saver unit (ASU), which decreases compressed air waste and can increase productivity. Through manual adjustment, ASUs can save energy by interrupting compressed air flow. These series of impulses are said to be mechanically more advantageous because the ASU can recover during the “off” period of […]
Making technical education more local
Talk to many component manufacturers and you’ll hear the phrase “local for local,” meaning that they’re strategically placing facilities near their customers. So, instead of one manufacturing plant in China, they may have one in China, one in the U.S., one in Brazil and one in the Czech Republic. Now, the University of Florida is […]
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