ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ systems are notoriously inefficient. Granted, in recent years researchers and manufacturers alike have made great strides in increasing energy efficiency in fluid-power systems, to improve sustainability and save money. Such innovations range from no-leak systems and high-flow valves to low-friction cylinder seals and variable-speed compressor drives. But such advancements are often incremental at best. […]
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Compressed Air Fail: Staff gets its wires crossed after plant fire
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A metal foundry had a disastrous fire that took down part of their plant. Buried under the rubble were their new air compressors, installed only a few months earlier. Miraculously, their compressor supplier was able to refurbish the units, shine them up, and get them running like […]
Compressed air fail: Failure to see the obvious
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A few years ago, an Italian woodworking company producing benches and chairs for schools purchased a central system controller for their three screw compressors. The controller was designed to automatically rotate the compressors to share the hours. It also provided a single pressure band, rather than using […]
Compressed air fail: To VSD or not VSD?
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A mineral processor purchased a VSD controlled compressor for their plant, to save energy. This unit very nicely supplied the variable compressed air load, automatically ramping up to full speed when peak demands required full flow, but efficiently turning down to low speed when normal demands consumed […]
Compressed air fail: Poor control by design
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A highway coach manufacturer had a large compressed air system feeding their growing plant. Over the years, the plant had expanded three timesβand each time, new air compressors were installed. There wasnβt room to install all the compressors in one location so new compressor rooms were built […]
The changing role of fluid power distributors
In the past, traditional distribution was simply that as a provider of a transactionβbuying and reselling components. But in recent years, distributors have become an extension of an OEMβs engineering department, said Bill Tulloch, executiveΒ VP of Flodraulic Group. βWhat they need help with are solutions,β he said. βParticularly what weβre seeing in the industrial OEM […]
Compressed air fail: Wet storage
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A metal products manufacturer was well aware of the benefits of large storage receivers installed on its system of load/unload compressors. The receivers act as a quiet zone where water and lubricant can settle out of the air before entering the system dryers. In this zone, the […]
Compressed air fail: Dryer sensing issue
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A building products manufacturer installed a completely new compressed air system to increase reliability and reduce compressed air costs. A new two-stage VSD, externally heated dryer with dew point demand switching, and low differential filters all combined for excellent system energy performance. The power utility installed a […]
Membrane technology flexes its muscle β precisely
The method of reinforcing elastic items with fibers made of different materials and thus influencing their properties has been around for a long time. Car tires, for example, are given stability and robustness in this way, and garden hoses their flexible and resistant shape. Festo has developed this principle further, resulting in the Fluidic Muscle, […]
Technology Tuesday podcast on fluid power distribution
Design World has launched Technology Tuesdays Podcasts in 2015, and the latest episode focuses on the business of fluid power and industrial distribution. Click below to listen to Design World Editorial Director Paul J. Heney discuss impact of the Internet on distribution, along with some thoughts on the future of fluid power,Β with Bill Tulloch, Executive […]
