Don't be a social reject
If you're like most people, you're probably pretty sick of hearing of "Web 2.0." This latest online sound bite is something that a lot of people don't really even understand. Plus, it doesn't apply to any of us, right? Web 2.0 isn't really a thing, it's more a description of the second generation of websites and web applications that have really changed how we use the Internet over the past few years. These include wikis (user-edited informational sites), blogs, social networking sites, and so forth.
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A bitter pill is taken on by pneumatics
It's easy to overlook the complexities of manufacturing pharmaceuticals while gazing at the seemingly endless rows of over the counter drugs at the average drugstore. But in addition to the arduous research and testing work that goes into each new drug, scientists also use ESH compaction simulators to model the mechanical behavior of pharmaceutical powders during the compaction process of getting it into pill shape.
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Save energy with active damping
Turn on a current music video, and any hydraulics you may see at work are probably those used on a tricked out '81 Buick Regal, bouncing up and down to the music. But in the hydraulic systems we all know and love, bouncing is a bad thing; damping a system is much preferred. Damping refers to the energy dissipation properties of a material or system under cyclic stress. Often, damping is used to keep unwanted oscillations out of a motion system. These systems oscillate because the energy within them cycles back and forth between kinetic and potential energy. In the case of a fluid power system, the kinetic energy is a function of mass and velocity, and the potential energy is a function of the pressure and volume of the fluid (oil or air). Some systems are more prone to oscillation than others. Systems with a low friction-to-mass ratio and those that are "springy" and can absorb the input energy as potential energy are prone to oscillations.
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Does your fluid provide enough protection?
You've spent a lot of time and effort designing and building your hydraulic system; now you're ready for production. After the equipment with its brand new hydraulic system has been shipped, your colleagues in accounting can calculate your profit. But what will happen when (not if) contaminants enter the hydraulic system? Will contamination degrade fluid performance? Will it cause equipment malfunctions and downtime? If so, you can bet it will eventually jeopardize future orders from customers. Of course, adequate filtration will eliminate or reduce many contamination related failures, but your choice of hydraulic fluid help can help mitigate the problems associated with contamination.
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Hydraulic hose
Tuff hose suits high-pressure hydraulic applications to 6500 psi. It can be bent twice as tight as standard SAE hose for half the bend radius. Reinforced internally with two braided layers of higher tensile steel wire, it has a durable, black, oil and abrasion resistant synthetic outer cover and offers 10 times the abrasion resistance compared to standard hose cover. It withstands temperatures from -40°F to 250° F and is available in diameters from ¼ to 1 in. ID.
Kurt Hydraulics More information

Pneumatic actuators
MQ cylinder assemblies minimize sliding friction for breakaway pressure down to 0.001 MPa. MQQ comes in 10-, 16-, 20-, 25-, 30-, and 40-mm bores for pressures from 0.005 to 0.5 MPa and speeds from 0.3 to 500 mm/sec. Strokes range from 10 to 100 mm. MQM offers speeds to 3000 mm/sec and comes in 10-, 16-, 20-, and 25-mm bores for pressures from 0.005 to 0.7 MPa. Strokes range from 15 to 100 mm. Miniature MQP offers pressures down to 0.001 MPa and comes in 4-, 6-, 10-, 16-, and 20-mm bore sizes. Stroke is 10 mm.
SMC Corp. of America More information

Differential pressure flow meter
FreeFlow differential pressure flow meter features no moving parts. Compact meter is constructed of PVC, polyetherimide, and polycarbonate materials and features a simple segmented wedge design to provide reliable and minimally invasive measurement technique. Measuring accuracy of the FreeFlow flow meter is within 2% of range, with repeatability of within ½% of full scale.
AW-Lake Co. More information

Zinc-plated tubing
Complete range of metric DIN 2391/2445 carbon steel seamless tubes are plated with Chromium 6 Free (CR6Free) plating, which meets EU and US automobile regulations. Plating is resistant to corrosion in excess of 400 hr in a salt spray fog. Size ranges from 4 to 42 mm OD with various wall thickness.
World Wide Metric Inc. More information

Experience National Instruments Technologies From the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
With more than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is easier than ever to learn about the newest products and features available from National Instruments.
Begin your search here with a collection of webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.

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UPCOMING WEBCASTS

Introduction to Direct Gear Design
Sponsored by AKGears
DATE: January 16th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET

Invention of the gear hobbing process about 150 years ago revolutionized not only gear fabrication, but also gear design. The cutting edge of the hob presents the generating gear rack. The standard universal gear design approach provides gear interchangeability and reduces tooling inventory, however, it also constrains performance for particular gear applications.

This webcast presents the Direct Gear Design method — an alternative approach to traditional analysis and design of involute gears, which separates gear geometry definition from the generating rack and tool selection to maximize gear transmission performance for a particular product and application.

Power Transmission Technologies:
The Advantages and Applications of Belt Drive Solutions
Sponsored by Gates Corporation
DATE: February 19th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET

Today’s designers choose from a variety of technologies for transmitting power in mechanical systems. With increasing demands to optimize systems for efficiency, noise, package size and low maintenance, choosing the right power transmission technology for the job is a challenge. Brent Oman with Gates Corporation will share his knowledge about selecting power transmission solutions. The presentation will review the pros and cons of different technologies and demonstrate the various capabilities of belt drive systems in particular.

ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING

H&P is now on Facebook!
Check out the new Hydraulics & Pneumatics group page on Facebook. What was once primarily a social networking site for college students is now moving into the mainstream, with many businesses and professionals signing up. You can post videos, links, discuss current issues, and more. Best of all, it is totally free to join!
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German fluid power conference slated for spring
The 6th International Fluid Power Conference (6th IFK) will be held in Dresden from March 31 to April 2, 2008. This well-known specialist conference for fluid power and motion control alternates every two years between the Institute of Fluid Power in Dresden and the Institute of Fluid Power Drives and Controls in Aachen. It has become an established forum for manufacturers, users, and scientists to present and discuss future developments, applications, and product innovations and also to share expertise and experience.
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Balluff acquires capacitive sensors maker
Balluff Inc., Florence, Ky., has announced that its parent company, Balluff GmbH, Neuhausen, Germany, acquired SIE Sensorik Industrie GmbH, Viernheim, Germany. SIE manufactures capacitive sensors. The previous owners of SIE will remain in place as chief officers until December 2008 to ensure the company's smooth integration into the Balluff Group.
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IFPS grants recertification amnesty
The International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) Board of Directors, Cherry Hill, N.J., recently approved a Recertification Amnesty Program, in which all personnel previously certified by IFPS — but who neglected to recertify before the Certification expiration date — will be allowed to do so for a limited time without having to retake the test. The IFPS Recertification Amnesty program can be applied to all IFPS Certifications. Recertification Amnesty Program candidates must be able to meet required recertification units, and submit an application with payment by January 31. The Amnesty program is available only for IFPS Certifications that expired on or after October 1, 2002; recertification will be valid for five years from the original IFPS Certification expiration date.
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Electric Replacement for Hydraulics!
Exlar's electric linear actuators deliver the force of hydraulics and the speed of pneumatics with peak forces in excess of 40,000 lbf and speeds to 60 in/sec.
www.exlar.com

Tolomatic
Tolomatic expands its robust MX rodless platform to include MXE (electric) and MXP (pneumatic) actuators, developed with Tolomatic’s exclusive ENDURANCE TECHNOLOGYSM features for maximum durability.
www.tolomaticmx.com/29E

FLUIDTRANS COMPOMAC
Biennial International Exhibition of Fluid Power, Power and Motion Transmission, Drive, Control Equipment and Industrial Design.
27-30 May 2008, Italy, fieramilano - Rho
Preregister now and get your fee pass!

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