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'Tech-rich' Learning Boosts Education Retention
Rochester Institute of Technology investigators note that a "technology
rich" learning environment in hydraulics decreases course withdrawals
and failing grades. More than 90% of students say using the environment —
which includes tablet PCs, collaborative software, and multiple
projection screens that capture and hold graphics — helps them learn and
retain information better than traditional lectures. This combination
of resources improves visual connection to the material
and the student-faculty interaction, and enhances engineering-problem
modeling, three areas critical to retaining technical information. In
conventional lab settings, students worked at different workstations
while the instructor walked around, answering questions and reviewing
circuit operations. |
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Keller offers compact, low-cost pressure sensing solutions for hydraulic components. These fully signal conditioned pressure transmitters provide superior feedback and efficient control for closed loop applications. |
Parflex
mobile hydraulic hose products have inherently clean core tubes and
long-length availability that assists in high quantity assembly. In
addition, their light weight design make installation easier while
reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. Noise cancelling or formed designs are available. |
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Manual Pumps Power America's Cup Racer
At least one challenger for the 2013 America's Cup will rely on two
sailors grinding away at a winch-driven pump to pressurize hydraulic
controls for a 130 ft tall "wing." The AC72-class boats feature such
vertical surfaces rather than sails. Regulations prohibit stored power; instead, pressure maintained in an accumulator tank drives any of the 38 electrohydraulic valves to trim the wing as needed. |
iPad App Aids Hydraulics Customers
Eaton Hydraulics equipped its sales force with PowerSource, an iPad
application that eases supplying customers with the correct product. Searchable product information
and ordering lead times speed up the sales lifecycle. Images of
products rather than specs give a customer trying to replace a defective
component a product view to ensure the sales rep is on the right track. |
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Additive Manufacturing is in Fashion
From high fashion to hydraulics, additive manufacturing is being used
for component fabrication. For auto gearbox hydraulics, for example, a weight reduction
of 30% is realized by the UK engineering firm 3T RPD. The box changes
gears faster because the hydraulic fluid pathways can be made smoother. |
Hydraulics Drives Street Bike
Hydradyne Hydraulics has built the Hydra-Ride,
a diesel-powered, hydraulics-driven motorcycle to showcase the
company's expertise. A Bondioli & Pavesi variable-displacement
axial-piston pump feeds an SAI Hydraulics radial-piston motor, selected
for its high-starting torque and high-speed, along with capability to 5,000 psi and 800 rpm. The hydrostatic drive serves as a continuously variable transmission. |
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These low-cost models are the better alternative to over-sized, over-priced products. The complete story.
With proven sensor designs they have features best suited for popular
OEM filtration, level, flow, and heat exchanger applications. They offer
line pressure to 3000 psig and transmitters with current or voltage
output. See their specifications and configurations. |
Leonhardt Manufacturing,
an ISO 9000 certified ESOP Company, known for highly finished/polished
decorative functional tubular assemblies also provides hydraulic lines.
Leonhardt controls the manufacturing processes of end forming, CNC
bending, and flexible stainless steel hose attachment in-house. |
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Hydraulic Actuator Release Reduces Board Rider Risk
Andy Keel invented the Intuitive Release Binding to minimize the risk of
rider injury on Motocrossboard stand-on motorcycles, and for other
board sports. A hand-held control
activates a hydraulic actuator to quickly separate one's feet from the
board with the "instinctive" action of opening a hand when falling. |
Materials Make the Hydraulic Connection
A Machine Design tutorial on materials for hydraulic hose
couplings offers a solid grounding in selecting these components. Often
given low priority, couplings are nonetheless vital in ensuring a hose handles rated pressure
without leaking. Design engineers frequently build hose assemblies for
non-standard uses and thus need knowledge of materials, coatings, and
their compatibility properties. |
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Hydraulics Boosts Feller Buncher
Performance 
Caterpillar's latest pair of track feller bunchers, used for clear and
select tree cutting, feature improved hydraulics for smoother functions
and better fuel efficiency. Revised compensator valve spools in the
implement and travel-valve hydraulic sections benefit hydraulic stability
and flow for enhanced multi-functioning (minimal slowing in one
function when another is activated). Result: Less hydraulic power used,
cutting fuel consumption. (View video). |
Mini Skid Steer Delivers Attachment Power
With quick attachment mounting the Ditch Witch SK650 mini skid steer demonstrated in this video
delivers two-thirds of its 31 hp to the attachment. Being outside
mounted, the hydraulic tank has a large capacity for "more efficient
hydraulic performance." Quick disconnect fittings allow attachments to
be changed with hydraulics still pressurized. |
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The Badger Meter 3050 Energy Monitor is an economical full featured compact unit
designed for sub-metering applications. It provides a display of energy
rate (in kBtu/hr or kW), energy total (in Btu or kWh), or flow rate (in
gpm or liters/m). |
These couplings
are especially designed for manual or servo controls, appliances,
graphics plotters, paper-feeds, coil-winders, coordinate measuring
machines, infrared spectrometers, instruments for astronomy, and many
others. Available in three O.D. sizes, and any bore in inch or metric.
From Renbrandt, Inc. |
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Fluid Power Challenge Boosts STEM Education
The National Fluid Power Association recently concluded its 15th
Fluid Power Challenge where teams of eighth grade students competed to
solve a design engineering problem using fluid power. The event furthers
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and exposes students to fluid power technology. The challenge also gives educators curriculum support and resources, and teaches teamwork and problem solving skills. (View video). | |||||
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Bike Brakes Get a Hydraulic Grip
The Parabox bicycle disc brake combines short-cable control with
hydraulic actuation. The unit's design uses a pair of actuator cylinders
on a hydraulic reservoir clamped to the steerer tube, from which twin hoses feed the calipers. Advantage is said to be no sluggish, mushy feel of mechanically driven discs with a firm feel, as on caliper brakes. |
About This Month's Topic
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January 19, 2012 - Volume 8 Issue 1
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