Intuitive operating concepts are already successfully established in everyday life: voice controlled mobile phones, tablet PCs operated with swiping motions, and game consoles and televisions commanded by gestures. As part of the Bionic Learning Network, companies have been working for some years on innovative intuitive operating concepts for the automation sector. Where buttons are pressed […]
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Compressed air fail: Gray cloud has a silver lining
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A plastic film manufacturer chose to purchase a very efficient VSD-style lubricant-free compressor and heat of compression dryer for a new plant expansion. The unit was designed to supply partial loads very efficiently by turning down the speed of the air end, with a proportional reduction in […]
Festo unveils its latest bio-creations
Iβve written extensively in the past about how German-based Festo AGβs Bionic Learning Network has developed some stunning robots based on nature. From elephants to kangaroos and birds to jellyfish, itβs been a great process to watch. Today, the company finally unveiled what theyβll be showing off at next monthβs Hannover Fair, and instead of […]
9 transformational trends manufacturers need to be aware of
The term βfuturistβ normally brings to mind something along the lines of Johnny Carsonβs old Carnac the Magnificent routine. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear futurist Jack Uldrich present at this week’s National Fluid Power Association Annual Conference in San Diego. Uldrich stressed that there are about a dozen transformational trends that are changing […]
Robots learn to pick the harvest
Supermarket customers prefer to purchase shiny red peppers and perfect apples. To ensure that fruit and vegetables arrive at the market ripe and without bruises, they are carefully and laboriously harvested by hand. Machines could work more quickly, but how does a machine find the fruit often hidden under leaves and then manipulate it? How […]
Compressed air fail: Wasted heat
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge An automotive parts manufacturer had an audit done on their compressed air system. The auditor placed data loggers on their system and did careful site observations of conditions in the compressor room and the plant. The processing equipment in the plant created a very dusty environment, so […]
Compressed air fail: Compressor not contributing due to piping challenge
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A spring water bottling plant had a compressor room filled with a complicated piping to connect their four compressors to the two main areas of their plant. The plant personnel had learned a long time ago that supplying the main plant with excessive pressure increased the power […]
Lehigh purchasing assets of Ortman Fluid Power from Quincy Compressor
UPDATED: Quincy Compressor LLC of Quincy, Ill. has announced a definitive agreement to divest its assets in Ortman Fluid Power to Lambertville, N.J.-based Lehigh Fluid Power Inc. The sale is expected to close during the first quarter of 2015. OfficialsΒ said thisΒ offers opportunities for customers of Lehigh and Ortman who will now have access to a […]
Check out the new Technology Tuesdays podcast, featuring pneumatic cylinders!
Design World has launched Technology Tuesdays Podcasts in 2015, and this first episode focuses on pneumatic cylinder technologyβwhat’s new and what design engineers need to know about how the components are changing. Click below to listen to Design World Editorial Director Paul Heney discuss pneumatic cylinder technology with Aventics’ Phil O’Neil.
When extremely clean production is critical
Strict hygiene standards apply to production systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries β after all, machine parts and components can come into contact with the products. No one wants to take lubricating oil with their aspirins or spread bacteria on their toast along with strawberry jam. Functional (as well as intuitive to handle) are […]
