Electromechanical (EM) actuating systems have been increasing in popularity for some time. They have replaced pneumatic and hydraulic systems in many light-duty applications. Today,another option (such as the Parker HAS 500) is available: a hybrid of EM and hydraulic actuation systems, which combines the best of both worlds.

Below we will compare EM and hydraulic systems and take a quick look at the new hybrid system.

 

If you are repairing or maintaining hydraulic equipment, you make and re-make connections daily. You know to use plugs and caps to plug open ports and cap disconnected hoses, in order to keep the the dirt out and oil in. This method works for most connections, but when it comes to flanges most mechanics' oil containment method is to shove a rag into the open port, and another in the end of the disconnected hose (or tube assembly).

Now, there's another option – using FlangeLock™. The FlangeLock™ allows for quick, simple sealing of open SAE Code 61, Code 62 & CAT-style hydraulic flange connections without tools. It is the ultimate spill and contamination control during disconnecting and re-connecting flange fittings.

Depending on your equipment, an oil change can be a complicated, potentially messy process. It is often necessary to remove pans full of oil that can spill onto the floor, slosh onto workers, or contaminate the environment. The steps for the process can also change from vehicle to vehicle, requiring special training and instructions for each one. For companies with a wide variety of equipment, this can be cost prohibitive and time consuming.

A standardized process like Parker’s QuickFit System simplifies the steps and prevents spills and injuries.

Four years ago, Parker introduced the GlobalCore line of hose products – this globally available line has enabled large users of hydraulic hoses to greatly reduce their inventories and simplify product selection. GlobalCore family of hoses set a new industry benchmark for high performance hydraulic hoses suitable for most common hydraulic applications. GlobalCore consists of six series of hose that cover the most common working applications encountered in today's hydraulic systems:

Let’s face it – rust happens. Whether it’s equipment that has been exposed to the elements over time or a repair job that someone brings into your shop with frozen, corroded parts. Chains, gears, pipe thread connections, screws, nuts and bolts and all types of metal tools – any of these can build up rust and other deposits from age, misuse or neglect. You need to be able to remove stuck parts to complete a replacement or repair fast. But what is the best way to free rusty nuts and bolts efficiently?

When it comes to cleaning up after working with paint, oil, grease, tar and other types of tough grime encountered in industrial settings, your hand wash needs to be equally tough. Regular soap isn’t designed to handle oily substances and doesn’t always penetrate the grime left in hands’ creases and crevices. Washing too often, too vigorously, or with cleaners that contain harsh chemicals can dry out and damage skin. Mechanics often develop chronically dry, cracked skin on their hands due to the substances they work with and the amount of washing it takes to remove it. So how do you clean your hands at work but also keep skin healthy and moisturized?

 

Factors like fluctuating or inexperienced personnel, shortage of skilled workers and increasingly difficult installation conditions can lead to tube assemblies being incorrectly installed. The results are leaks, costly downtime and inefficiency, as well as increased safety risks. Driven by the customer desire for simplified fitting technology, Parker developed the innovativeEO-3® flareless fitting system. Utilizing a special tapered thread and visual status recognition, it speeds tube assembly and improves assembly accuracy.

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has created a new standard to address the problem of crystalline silica dust control associated with pneumatic jackhammer and breaker operation in the construction industry. The mandated compliance date of the new silica rule has been postponed to September 23, 2017.

In reaction to this new rule, Parker has developed the 7084 Series Twinhammer™, an air-water jackhammer hose which helps companies comply with OSHA's crystalline silica dust control guidelines. Unlike other silica dust suppression systems, Twinhammer™ assemblies are constructed as a unitized, low-maintenance solution that can be easily integrated into construction applications affected by this rule.

The Parker Hose Products Division announced yesterday that it will discontinue production of its 301LT and 772LT low temperature hoses.

DISCONTINUED 301LT Low Temperature Hose

DISCONTINUED 722LT Low Temperature Hose

Parker Fluid Connector Group has announced a running change to the rubber cover compound of the following Parker hoses:

In a previous blog, we wrote about the GlobalCore series of hose from Parker, which can streamline your hose and fittings inventory and provides a high-quality, robust standard for hydraulic hose in the most common pressure ranges. GlobalCore series hoses use the 77 series fittings from sizes -8 through -32, which are available in a wide variety of styles and configurations, but had previously only been manufactured in carbon steel. Parker is excited to announce the introduction of stainless steel 77 series fittings, the ideal choice for highly caustic or corrosive applications and environments.

Last year, Parker introduced the Gen II style hydraulic cylinders, which replace the legacy 2H and 3H series. This change brought many improvements to the cylinders' delivery times and longevity. So how do you convert your old part numbers to the Gen II cylinder part numbers? The short answer is that Parker already did the work for you - for the most part.

Anyone running a pneumatic system knows that producing compressed air requires a lot of energy. In a typical pneumatic plant, 20 percent or more of the plant’s energy is consumed by an air compressor. As quoted in this MRO article, “Based on energy audits conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 95 percent of compressed air systems present opportunities for saving energy."

Using Parker Parflex hoses? Read this!

Changes are scheduled for January 2017.

In March 2014, Parflex launched their global 56 series (read our earlier blog on that) which became the preferred fitting used on the majority of Parker Parflex hoses. Parflex still offers fitting series 55, 58, 58H and 57 series, but that is about to change, along with hose consolidation affecting about a dozen Parflex hose series.

This tubing is specially formulated with Sanitized® to resist degradation from mildew, algae, fungi and biofilm that can accumulate on the inside or outside of tubing in filling and processing applications. For use in water systems and food, beverage & other applications where microbial growth can cause problems. Use with Parker antimicrobial filters to create a complete system.

In water systems, food and beverage, and other applications for transporting media that must remain potable or food-safe, microbes are a constant concern. Algae, mildew and fungi can accumulate inside or outside of tubing due to moisture while they are in use. This accumulation can not only create impurities in the transported substances, but it also leads to premature equipment degradation, which can raise maintenance costs and cause costly break-downs in the production line. Parker has a solution to both problems with their EA Series of tubing.

Brewery Hose

With the recent explosion in demand for craft beer has come an equal explosion in demand for the equipment that helps produce it. Parker is doing its part in the craft beer revolution by providing the SS200 Series Brewers Discharge Hose.

 

• New Thermoplastic Elastomer Cover for 53DM/538DM DuraMax™ Hose – Now Rated to -70F
• Blue Nylon Tough Cover for 2440N-08 Water Jetting Hose
• New Resin is Approved for Manufacturing of Parflex PV-Series Tubing

The truth is that if you are using equipment in the elements, corrosion is inevitable. The question is not if, but when you will have to change the rusted parts. The trick is to find the fittings and adapters that will last as long as possible.

It’s one of any company’s worst nightmares. A key component of your equipment has failed and production has halted. You determine that the part failed due to overheating or an unforeseen spike in pressure. Whatever the reason, your company loses revenue for as long as the downtime continues – not to mention the inevitable cost of repairs.

Many scenarios like this one can be prevented with the right monitoring equipment. The ability to take frequent readings of pressure, temperature and humidity can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your equipment running at top performance. Parker’s SensoNODE™ advanced monitoring system provides immediate access to accurate readings of your most vital equipment’s condition, allowing you to identify any potentially damaging changes before a failure occurs.

Parker’s 5CNG Compressed Natural Gas Hose will be on display at ACTEXPO 2015 in Dallas, Texas, May 5-8, in Parker booth number 537.