With a myriad of choices available, it is critical you fully understand your system needs before choosing your hydraulic fittings. Contributed by John Joyce, Marketing Director, Brennan Industries Inc. Making the shift to connections with elastomeric O-ring seals is the focus in today’s fluid power industry. But before following everyone’s lead, it’s important you understand […]
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Modular insert and metal contacts for pneumatic connections
Mencom announces an improved version of the MIXO modular pneumatic connection system that uses a new self-extinguishing thermoplastic insert and metal contacts. The new MIXO system not only allows more frequent mating cycles for compressed air distribution systems but also guarantees better mechanical resistance, increased airflow for transmitting dry and compressed air in pneumatic systems. […]
Is “smart crimping” the future in hose assembly?
IoT-enabled crimpers can improve crimp production, keep track of data and simplify maintenance and troubleshooting. Contributed by Thomas Carpenter, Gates Global Product Line Manager – Connected Platforms Although the process of hydraulic hose crimping has been around for decades, in the last few years technology has changed the landscape, completely redefining what is possible in the […]
Common considerations for hydraulic tubing
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The metal tube assemblies used in hydraulic plumbing applications offer one of the most reliable methods to transfer fluid under pressure. Still, their factors for design and installation are sightly more complicated than hose assemblies, which are traditionally more popular. Mills make seamless tubing used for hydraulic systems by pushing […]
Why should you cap your hose assemblies?
Once a hydraulic hose assembly has been properly cleaned and crimped, there is still one more important step to ensuring they remain clean and contamination-free before use. Plumbing systems are often the largest locations for built-in contamination versus the rest of the hydraulic system. So, immediately capping the hose ends with either protective injection molded […]
Why should you clean your new hose assemblies?
Hydraulic hoses may appear clean upon arrival in your facility, but every step of the hose fabrication process creates internal contamination that needs to be removed. For instance, they may have contamination from the manufacturer — residual mandrel lubrication may still be inside the hose. Additionally, unless they are sealed from manufacture to your shelves, hoses […]
Which is better — spiral or braided hydraulic hose?
Hydraulic hose uses a reinforcement material sandwiched between its inner tube and outer cover. Although modern designs have used anything from textile fiber to polyester, most hydraulic hoses use steel wire as their reinforcement. Within the steel reinforcement type, there are two major construction styles – braided or spiral wire. Wire has almost no bending […]
The evolution of hydraulic hose crimping
From their humble hand-operated beginnings to IoT-enabled machines, hydraulic hose crimpers are a critical piece of equipment that any fluid power user should understand. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in this hydraulic industry who has never made a hydraulic hose assembly. Hydraulic technicians make their livings fabricating plumbing of […]
How do you overcome hydraulic hose maintenance challenges?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Most consider a hydraulic hose to be maintenance-free. They’re often installed and forgotten until they need replacement, hopefully not under conditions of catastrophic failure. Contrary to popular belief, hydraulic hose does not enjoy infinite service life. Like any component manufactured from metal and rubber, you may undoubtedly expect failure in […]
NAHAD continues to look ahead
This year’s NAHAD Annual Conference came off splendidly at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort in Arizona. Originally planned for earlier in the Spring, the Conference was moved back to June, because of continuing Covid-19 concerns. Then, a couple of months out, the organization also switched the location from San Diego to Scottsdale, due to concerns […]
