Magnetek Inc. was granted U. S. patent 8554378 for its Enrange MHR radio controller. The controller integrates components of a radio receiver and hydraulic controller into a convenient single unit, reducing costs and conserving space. When packaged with one of the company’s transmitters, it provides a total wireless system for operating mobile equipment.
Ben Stoller, director of radio controls for Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based Magnetek, said, “The MHR controller offers the benefits of both traditional hydraulic controls and radio controls in a single unit, providing mobile operators with a control solution for a variety of applications.”
For more information about Magnetek’s Enrange MHR Radio Controller, visit www.magnetek.com/MHR.
Erskine Attachments builds attachments for skid-steer loaders, compact tractors, and excavators. The firm’s heavy-duty forestry-mulcher attachment cuts, clears, and grinds brush, trees, and other vegetation. The attachment can be used for breaking trails, leveling building sites, and removing storm damage. The mulcher housing contains a 14-in.-diameter, 60-in.-wide rotary drum fitted with 30 double-helix, carbide-tipped steel teeth designed to pull material toward the attachment, where it is shredded.
However, one problem arose. The drum that this motor spins in the mulcher weighs 750 lb. When the skid-steer’s directional valve was centered to stop the motor abruptly, the drum’s inertia produced cavitation. This is bad for any hydraulic motor, but especially so for piston motors, where imploding bubbles can cause severe damage. Different plumbing configurations were tried over several weeks to resolve the problem, but none eliminated the cavitation.
The V14-110 motor has other features that make it attractive to Erskine. The motor shift pressure can easily be adjusted at the Parker Hannifin facility, at Erskine’s plant, or in the field — with just a wrench and screwdriver. The adjustment screw is located under a tamper-resistant plastic cap. (However, users should not change the settings without proper training.)
The valve incorporates a single-cavity manifold block (with Code-61 or Code-62 flange mounting) that holds a spring-biased poppet-valve insert. A relief cover that mounts over the block contains an adjustable screw-in cartridge relief valve and a two-position, three-way directional-control valve.
With the test assembly in place, valve A is opened to pressurize both volumes. The gauge will read zero. Then valves A and B are closed. Because the reference volume holds pressure, any leakage from the test assembly immediately results in a measurable differential that registers on the gauge.
In addition, 4-hr short courses will be conducted Monday, March 3, and a series of free fluid-power seminars will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6.
Energy Consumption in Fluid Power
Keynote Presentation
The award honors suppliers that contribute to GM’s goal of providing the best overall customer service in the automotive industry.
Unfortunately, many users have the mindset that pneumatic systems are inherently inefficient, and so overlook opportunities for energy savings. In addition, some manufacturers of industrial equipment and robots tend to focus on ensuring the pneumatic systems perform their intended functions, and in the process neglect efforts to reduce operating costs. These OEMS should instead recognize that plant operators are becoming more concerned with total cost of ownership (TCO), of which energy cost is a major component. These customers know that energy usage can account for up to 75% of machine and robot TCO, and they’re looking to suppliers to help them reduce that bill.
Designs that use the shortest tubing possible can reduce energy consumption as well as cycle times. Typically, tubing between control valves and cylinders should be less than 10-ft long. Longer lengths require more pressure so that force, speed, and positioning capabilities aren’t compromised.
Two separate base-type applications, on and off-highway, offer opportunities and distinct ways for pump-mounting locations and drive inputs. Many options are available, but keep in mind that one input isn’t preferred over another. Usually, the design envelope within which the drive designer must physically fit the pump eliminates some options — maybe even all but one. This makes it important to understand the pros and cons of each input type. 
Auxiliary engines (in addition to the main vehicle engine) often reside in truck-mounted applications that require full-engine power and torque. Applications such as large vacuum pumps typically use this method. In these cases, multiple pumps can populate a multipad gearbox that’s driven directly by the auxiliary engine’s output shaft. Beyond carrying multiple pumps, this configuration offers potentially greater flexibility in terms of pump size. Here, it’s important to ensure adequate power is available to the hydraulic pump to meet the performance needs of the function being controlled. 
Many times, however, space restrictions require the pump to be located away from the engine. In these instances, an engine crankshaft can couple the pump to the mechanical drive of the engine. For this type of mounting/coupling, the angle and balance of the connection method to the pump should be monitored to avoid undesired bending forces of the pump’s input shaft. It must be parallel to the engine’s crank shaft; otherwise, it will introduce oscillation to the pump drive speed that can eventually destroy the pump. It’s best to consult the pump manufacturer for the amount of allowable bending and axial forces that can be accommodated by the pump or find ways to avoid derating the pump.
Series GRH parallel pneumatic grippers provide long jaw travel while accommodating long tooling lengths. Available in four sizes, the grippers have an extended support guide system with wide slot jaws to minimize tooling deflection, support large moment capacities, and provide side-load stability. A dual bore provides higher total grip force, and low breakaway pressure allows for gripping of a wide variety of part sizes, including delicate parts. Jaw travels up to 125 mm (4.921 in.) for gripping larger and multiple-sized parts.
An optical encoder provided position feedback to the machine’s motion controller. The motion controller commanded an electrohydraulic proportional valve to drive the hydraulic motor’s motion accurately — to within ±½ in., in front of the correct off-loading point.
Introducing the Prince standard stocked series tie-rod cylinders. This product line is rated at 3000 psi, comes with Royal Plate Plus rod that is warranted against rust and corrosion for 7 years, and we stock many different configurations. Come visit us and check out our offering.
The 9th Annual IFK will be held in Aachen, Germany, and will feature a diverse range of topics in hydraulic and pneumatic drives and control systems, as well as lectures, excursions, and cultural programs.
Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis — Particle Detection, Wear Indication, Effect of Wear on Systems, Fail-Safe Components, Aging Models
without having to download software. The tool is complete with manifold drawings, drill lists, connection lists, and 2D/3D CAD files. It works with circuits containing up to 12 cartridges and allows you to select the faces you want to place features and components on. Additionally, it offers the benefits of an integrated package. After the user designs a product, cost-saving incentives to ordering are offered. The Sun QuickDesign tool also generates a single part number, which simplifies ordering tracking, and future needs.