A pork processing plant installed a modern compressed air system with excellent components. The compressors were cutting-edge VSD style, connected to a sophisticated controller. Air dryers were desiccant style with dew point control and low differential filtration. Significant storage was installed to assist in keeping the compressors running efficiently without pressure issues. This system should […]
Former Rexroth ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟs relaunches as “Aventics”
Bosch’s Rexroth ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟs division sometimes seemed to stick out like a sore thumb to me β¦ although the company tried to integrate the Lexington, Ky.-based division into the master plan, there were times where it seemed lost amidst the company’s myriad industrial and mobile hydraulic solutions. So it wasn’t altogether surprising when the company sold […]
Virtual products increase understanding of fluid power design
Festoβs virtual reality system, in use for more than 10 years now, remains in demand for special developments, customer-specific system solutions, and complex design projects. βWith virtual reality we can visualize complex processes and shapes in three-dimensional space, in order to make processes realistic and understandable,β said Bernd Kirchberger, Head of Computer Aided Engineering Services. […]
Hannover Fair’s about to get jumping
Hannover Fair on the horizonβthe enormous German manufacturing exposition runs from April 7-11 this year. Focus areas for the event include: Industrial Automation, Energy, MobiliTec, Digital Factory, Industrial Supply, IndustrialGreenTec, and Research & Technology. Festo Corp. held an online pre-Hannover press conference yesterday, and there are some interesting things on the horizon, according to the […]
The intelligence of the Metric System
Guest blog by Randy Bancroft, P.E. Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge. β Charles Darwin I began working as a consulting engineer in 2007. From the outset, I wanted to work exclusively in metric. Itβs been quite an education, and the first lesson has been that U.S. engineers have no idea how to […]
Compressed air fail: Incorrect equipment for the load
A tire shop was having problems with its small 15-hp air compressor. It had served the shop well over many years, but it was failing due to its ageβand it needed to be replaced. Because it was a single stage reciprocating compressor, the plant employees were not sad to see it go. It had always […]
Thoughts from Day 1 of MD&M West 2014
It was a good first day for MD&M West at the Anaheim Convention Center. Attendance seemed a bit sparse compared to last year’s show, but I’m hoping for a busier day tomorrow. There were some pretty interesting projects to see and a lot of new products that are about to be announced–which I can’t talk […]
NFPA’s 2014 Conference gives attendees a lot to mull over
The 2014 NFPA Conference at the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, held on the sunny southeast coast of Florida this week, has been an excellent educational event, in addition to the always-excellent networking opportunities. I found one of the most interesting talks to be from Peter Zeihan of Zeihan on Geopolitics. His talk, “Powers […]
Compressed air fail: When in doubt, measure!
A large transit bus manufacturer was directed to make a change to improve the health and safety of the workers welding the metal vehicle frames. The materials they are using emit gasses that are hazardous to workers and can cause long term negative health effects. To counteract this, the Health and Safety department settled on […]
Compressed air fail: The quick tool test
A fiberglass parts manufacturer was having problems with its tools. Despite repeated replacements, its grinding and cutting tools just werenβt performing well; they lacked power and were causing reduced productivity. The tool supplier was contacted to reach an acceptable solution. He, in turn, contacted a compressed air auditor to see if anything could be done. […]
