New 3D CAD software cuts design time for heavy duty hydraulics

New 3D CAD software from Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion and control technologies, looks set to simplify hydraulic cylinder selection and integration in heavy duty industrial applications using the company's advanced MMA 'mill' type hydraulic cylinders. The new CAD software generates 2-D and 3-D drawings in standard industry formats, for use with all common design and modelling software, and will help engineers reduce system design time, while improving functionality and performance.

Parker's MMA range of standard and custom built 'mill' type hydraulic cylinders is rated for pressures up to 250bar and has been developed for use demanding applications, such as steel and rolling mills, mining and quarrying, and marine equipment.In each case, MMA cylinders offer a robust, reliable construction. This is based on high tensile carbon alloy steel, hard chrome plated piston rods, polished to within 0.2microns, with heavy duty steel cylinder bodies, featuring head and cap ends bolted to tough steel flanges and retained by threads at each end of the cylinder body.

The latest versions of the MMA cylinders are available with a choice of four gland seals and piston combinations. These include Standard glands, combining polyurethane lipseals and PTFE stepped seals with heavy duty wipers and a pistons with robust filled polymer seals and broad wear rings.

Low Friction glands use stepped seals, for applications where minimal friction or stick-slip is essential. The matching pistons feature PTFE seals and wear rings, giving low friction performance and high resistance to wear, for piston speeds up to 1 m/s.

Chevron piston and gland assemblies offer high resistance to damage from the operating environment. Each gland uses a chevron packing set in combination with a heavy duty wiperseal, while a two-piece piston features a wide bearing ring mounted between chevron seals.

Where load-holding performance is critical, the Load Holding option combines the performance of the Standard gland assembly with the resistance to cross-piston leakage of the Chevron piston, giving an optimised combination of wear resistance, seal friction and load holding properties.

MMA cylinders are available in bore sizes from 50 to 320 mm, with features including progressive cushioning, to control piston deceleration and reduce shock and noise, and check valves at head and cap ends to optimise applied power and cycle rates. MMA cylinders meet all relevant European standards including ISO 6022 and DIN 24 333.

The new 3D CAD software is free to download from Parker's web site, where a new MMA technical catalogue can also be found for the complete MMA cylinder range.

Parker Hannifin in profile
With annual sales exceeding $12 billion in fiscal year 2011, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 58,000 people in 47 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 55 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

For further information, view website: http://www.parker.com or its investor information website: http://www.phstock.com  Refer to page 268 

Compact, lightweight, general purpose
Endevco® piezoelectric accelerometer

Meggitt Sensing Systems, a Meggitt group division, has introduced the Endevco® model 2226C, a compact and lightweight adhesive mounted piezoelectric accelerometer, designed for the general purpose vibration testing of smaller structures and objects.

With a sensitivity of 2.8 pC/g, the Endevco® model 2226C features a top mounted 10-32 receptacle for easy installation within space constrained environments. Its light weight (2.8 gm) effectively minimizes mass loading. Units are designed to reliably operate over a temperature range of -55˚C to +177˚C (-67˚F to +350˚F). They exhibit excellent output sensitivity stability over time. As a self-generating device, the model 2226C requires no external power source for operation. Although signal return is connected to the case, a user may isolate signal ground from the mounting surface by installing the unit with non-conductive adhesive. A low-noise, flexible coaxial cable, the Endevco® model 3060D-120, is supplied for error-free operation. 

Other recommended accessories, sold separately, include the model 133 three-channel piezoelectric signal conditioner; the model 2771C remote charge converter; the model 2775B signal conditioner; model 6634C vibration amplifier; or the model 4990A (Oasis) multi-channel signal conditioner. With its compact design and performance attributes, the Endevco® model 2226C is ideal for general in-laboratory vibration testing, small package testing, engine vibration monitoring, automotive and aerospace component testing, and downhole drilling tool vibration measurements. 

All Endevco® accelerometers are accompanied by a comprehensive five-year product warranty. In addition, the model 2226C is available at specially discounted rates as part of the -R replacement sensors program, with quantities available for immediate customer shipment as part of Meggitt's Endevco® Guaranteed InStock™ program.

For further information, view website: www.meggitt.com  Refer to page 340 

Why you need igus maintenance free plastic bearings

Plastic expert igus UK has specialised in plastic bearings for many years, and has had its own range of standard plain plastic bearing materials since 1983.

Since then, through material and design developments and exhaustive testing, igus has become the market leader in this field with its bearing range extending to three main product groups, iglidur® plain bearings, igubal® spherical bearings and drylin® linear slides.

But, why is there a need for igus plastic bearings?

Matthew Aldridge, igus Product Director for bearings, explains more, in a video designed to be a basic introduction and overview to this subject.

In the video, he explains the design features that make plastic bearings longer lasting and how they can save money and increase the life of a machine.

In addition to this, he shows examples and discusses more about the types of bearings igus UK has on offer, their design features and the different types of materials that are needed for a multitude of applications and environments, including special types required for specialist industries.

To watch this video, view website: www.igus.co.uk/videos/maintenancefreebearings or Twitter: http://twitter.com/igusUK   Refer to page 194 

Eplan Fluid: more than 1000 hydraulic macros

A new, comprehensive master data package for hydraulics now bridges the gap between fluid and mechanical design. More than 1000 new hydraulic macros in Eplan Fluid speeds up and simplify interdisciplinary documentation.

The advantages of a common set of control technology documentation for fluid and electrical engineering is well known, a look at hydraulics opens up even more potential. From the beginning, Eplan Fluid 2.0 offered users a comprehensive "fluid data package" containing more than 1000 hydraulic macros.

The combination of CAE functionality and the new macros provides unbeatable advantages for hydraulic designers, especially in mechanical engineering. This combination has high standard of graphic documentation according to current standards and a modular system for sub-plates, hydraulic power units, sandwich arrangements and more. What technical data must be including in the hydraulic schematic? What pressure switch settings are needed and how are they best represented in the schematic? Eplan Fluid offers the ideal solution for high-quality documentation through a combination of macros, pressure switches for instance, and the associated data tables.

Perspective: rotating and mirroring
The new macros are all designed for intelligent rotating and mirroring of fluid elements; a function in the upcoming version of Eplan Fluid. Background: Often in a schematic, it is necessary to represent that cylinders move in opposite directions and correspondingly control them. Ideally, the user only has to design half the switch and completes the documentation using the new convenient functions for rotating and mirroring. The macros provide an excellent basis for key users and administrators.

Intelligent macros
The high diversity of filters and pump/motor combinations on power units often leads to documentation that differs only in the details. Eplan technologies, such as variant technology and project options, are the foundation of creating intelligent macros that can be immediately changed in the fluid plan. A modular system makes it easy to create different variants of collective sub-plates. This system provides the easiest way to put together sections.

Interesting for manufacturers
The macro collection is the ideal starting point for fluid power component manufacturers in the hydraulic industry. They can also use the Eplan Data Portal to make their component data available. The perfect multiplier. While the neutral macros available in Eplan Fluid can be used for different manufacturers, the component data in the Eplan Data Portal is associated with a specific manufacturer and provides a solid engineering basis when combined with additional documents such as technical data sheets, component photos and 2D and 3D data.

For further information, view website: www.eplan.co.uk or e-mail: kchristie@eplan.co.uk  Refer to page 341