The renewable energy sector is growing at an exponential rate in the UK and internationally. Central to this growth is a range of modern fluid power systems, which are especially pivotal in hydroelectric and wind energy applications. In this article, we’ll explore the role of hydraulic and pneumatic applications in renewable energy and how your […]
Industry 4.0 is one of the most commonly used (and misused) catchphrases in the manufacturing and industrial sectors today. Originating as the name of a digitalisation initiative sponsored by the German government in 2011, industry 4.0 has subsequently spread internationally as a catchall phrase to describe the convergence of the physical and digital worlds by […]
Opinion is divided among engineers over how effective accumulators are at saving energy in fluid power systems. While accumulators have their advocates, some engineers feel that they waste more energy than they save. In this article, we’ll briefly look at the issues involved and how you can use accumulators effectively.
In many fluid power applications, predictive maintenance is a more accurate way to prevent failures than traditional, preventative maintenance strategies. In this article, we look at the comparative benefits of predictive maintenance vs planned maintenance, and which strategy could work best in your application.
Although the upfront cost of a new fluid power system may seem high, the key question for design engineers is whether the cost will be worth it in the long run. This frequently comes down to balancing upfront investment with the lifetime cost of ownership to calculate the optimum return on investment (ROI) from the […]
As we approach Christmas 2024, it’s fair to say that the past year has been a challenging one for the global hydraulics industry. High interest rates, stagflation, and continued global supply chain volatility have strained market dynamics worldwide, with repercussions for businesses operating in the UK. However, amid these challenges, the fluid power sector in […]
The integration of digital technologies such as AI, virtual prototyping, and data analytics into the design process has revolutionised the way that fluid power components are produced. From pumps with the capability to adapt their flow rates according to real-time demand, to ‘maintenance free’ valves that utilise past performance data to pinpoint failure risks and […]
Offshore wind-powered renewables are a burgeoning sector in the UK, with large coastal installations now contributing significantly to the national renewable energy stock. Central to the efficiency and functionality of these offshore installations are a range of advanced fluid power systems. These applications play a vital role in optimising the operations and maintenance of offshore […]
In the precision world of manufacturing and engineering, few occurrences hold more of a sting than unexpected downtime. Downtime is often more than merely an inconvenience: for critical fluid power applications, downtime can cause a domino effect that impacts production schedules, overheads, and in serious cases, staff safety.
