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 […]
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Ace Controls celebrates 50 years of shock absorber innovation
Itβs not everyday that you get to be a part of history. So last summer, when I was invited to take a day-trip to Farmington Hills, Mich. to celebrate with Ace Controls on its 50th anniversary, I was glad to make the trip. The company, which is known for developing the worldβs first adjustable shock […]
Researchers develop fully pneumatic neurosurgical robot
A team of researchers affiliated with the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power has developed a fully pneumatic surgical robot designed to aid with delicate surgeries that require the use of magnetic resonance imaging. The most obvious and most important challenge to overcome was to ensure that the device is safe for the patient. […]
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. […]
Researchers develop high inertance liquid piston engine compressor
Last October, a U.S. patent was issued for a device developed by researchers affiliated with the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. The device, a free piston engine compressor, directly converts hydrocarbon fuel to compressed air and can be used to power new portable technologies that use pneumatic actuators. βThere really wasnβt much guidance […]
2014 is coming fastβand so is the NFPA Annual Conference!
I decided to get out ahead of the curve this morning and I registered for the upcoming NFPA Annual Conference. This important annual event is scheduled for February 2-5, 2014 at the Eau Palm Beach, Manalapan, Florida (just south of Palm Beach). Registration just opened up this week, and you can check it out for […]
Compressed air fail: Taking the cheap and easy route
A large automobile auction house on the outskirts of a city was having problems with its small reciprocating air compressor. The 15-hp compressor was used to feed the compressed air tools used in the automotive repair shops within the facility, which previously required about 7 cfm of average flow. At one time, the compressor was […]
Festo Develops Low Cost Fieldbus Connectivity
The new CTEU bus node from Festo makes it easy to add Fieldbus connectivity to pneumatic valve terminals. CTEU enables fieldbus connectivity at costs no higher than those for multi-pin solutions. Fieldbus connectivity to valve terminals also significantly reduces installation and engineering costs. The CTEU bus node inexpensively opens up DeviceNet, CANopen, EtherCat, Profibus, and […]
Compressed air fail: A little bit of luck goes a long way
A metal foundry was struggling for years with their compressed air system. Dirty water was fouling the air compressor cooling systems. Prying fingers were altering compressor set points. Units were shutting down so often that the plant was forced to rent three expensive diesel unitsβfor two years!βjust to keep their plant pressure from falling like […]
Bosch Rexroth selling pneumatics business to Triton
Big news in the fluid power industry as Bosch Rexroth Corp. has said that it has signed papers to sell its global pneumatics businessβRexroth ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟsβto Triton, a German-Scandinavian investor group. ApproximatelyΒ 2100 employees worldwide will be affected, mostly at manufacturing sites in Laatzen, Germany; Lexington, Kentucky; Wujin, China; Eger, Hungary; and Bonneville, France. . It has […]
