Current Issue: May 2009

Online Exclusives

'Weapon of Choice' for Precision Paintball Marker Barrels Edited by Elizabeth Engler Modic, Senior Editor With its roots in forestry and agriculture, paintball has evolved from a means to mark trees and cattle to an organized team sport played by millions of people in more than 60 countries worldwide. Players now compete in paintball tournaments where $10K-plus purses are common. As the sport has evolved, so too has the equipment. Manufacturers now specialize in the production of aftermarket parts for high-performance paintball guns - called "markers" by those who play the game. continue reading

Flexible Cylinder Honing - Taking on the Big Bores When it comes to manufacturing, rebuilding or servicing large pumps, valves and cylinder bores, flexible honing can make all the difference in performance and service life. One device, the ball-style hone, provides a highly efficient and portable solution. continue reading

Industry Report

In 2005, fluid power product manufacturers, including aerospace, had shipments of $12,686.0 million, an increaes of 9.4% from $11,596.1 million reported in 2004.

Hydraulic and pneumatic valves increased 10.7% to $3,118.3 million in 2005, from $2,817.7 million in 2004. Fittings and assemblies for tubing and hose, excluding plumbers' brass goods, increased 9.2% to $2,818.2 million in 2005, from $2,580.9 million in 2004. Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, actuators, accumulators, cushions and non-vehicular shock absorbers increased by 11.8% to $3,508.0 million in 2005, frm $3,137.0 million in 2004. Compressed air and gas dryers and lubricators decreased 3.9% to $67.4 million in 2005, from $70.2 million in 2004. Filters of hydraulic and pneumatic systems increased 0.8% to $550.1 million in 2005, from $545.6 million in 2004. Hydraulic and pneumatic pumps, motors and hydrostatic transmillion components increased 7.4% to $2,625.0 million in 2005, from $2,444.6 million in 2004.

For the complete details visit census.gov/mcd.

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Latest News

"Flexhose" Exhaust Removal System
MagneGrip introduces its new Sliding Flexhose Track (SFT) system for removal of vehicle exhaust emissions in firehouses. The system is designed for back-in bays where low ceilings or narrow spaces may be problematic.

Pressure Sensors Suited for Pressure Measurements for Hydraulic Applications
Kavlico, a global business unit of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST) has a suite of sensors that have been designed to perform in a wide variety of hydraulic applications. Capable of operating for millions of pressure cycles, these low power consumption pressure sensors provide an accurate, reliable, and stable signal over many years of operation in the harshest environments. The high overpressure capability of our sensors for fluid power applications are designed to withstand the pressure fluctuations associated with these applications.

Baldwin Filters Releases Hydraulic Training Module
Baldwin Filters announces the availability of the fifth in its series of filtration training modules. The hydraulic filtration training module is available online and in DVD and CD format.

SafeWay Hydraulics Adds New Thread Size on Popular Coupler
SafeWay Hydraulics, a manufacturer of quick connect and push to connect hydraulic couplings for industrial, agricultural & mobile applications, is adding a new thread size to its 1/2" ISO 16028 Flush Face interchange.

NFPA's Industry and Economic Outlook Conference
Join Alan Beaulieu, Economist with the Institute for Trend Research, as he spends 2 minutes discussing what attendees can expect at this year's National Fluid Power Association's Industry and Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC).

Emerging Technologies

Industrial Hoses Parker Hannifin E-Z Form Hose provides extreme flexibility while retaining full-flow performance. continue reading

DANAHER MOTION'S NEW SQIO SYNQNET I/O MODULES FACILITATE SEAMLESS INTEGRATION OF CUSTOM I/O HARDWARE Danaher Motion Danaher Motion introduces SQIO ﾖ the only SynqNet I/O interface boards available that allow high volume machine builders to seamlessly integrate their custom analog and/or digital I/O hardware with complex, high performance motion into a SynqNet network architecture. continue reading

Voltage-to-Current Converter Delta Computer Systems, Inc. The VC2124 provides a convenient way to set full scale current to match valve requirements, limit maximum current, or set optimum working ranges while converting ±10V inputs into current outputs. continue reading