1. Data
Enhance the ability to monitor, collect, and utilize data generated by fluid power products and/or systems. By integrating sensors, IoT, and other technologies to access data, it becomes possible to better monitor component and system performance and identify potential maintenance issues, preventing these from leading to larger-scale unplanned downtime. This helps extend the lifespan of systems and machines, thereby reducing operating costs for machine owners. Enhanced data capabilities also facilitate communication between systems and machines, a necessary element for automation in many industrial applications.
2. Control
Enhancing the accuracy, performance, or ease of use of fluid dynamic control systems. In many applications, especially those undergoing automation, there is a strong demand for more precise control. This ensures tasks are completed accurately, avoiding rework and thus maintaining productivity. Enhanced hydraulic and pneumatic control also helps ensure safety, guaranteeing that these solutions always operate as expected.
3. Energy Efficiency
Improve the energy efficiency of fluid power products and/or systems. Due to efforts to improve sustainability and reduce operating costs, energy efficiency has become a crucial design factor for hydraulic, pneumatic, and other power transmission technologies. Higher efficiency components or systems consume less energy, resulting in lower energy costs for the machine. Reducing energy use also lowers emissions, which has become an important means for many to mitigate their environmental impact.
4. Environmental Impact
Reduce the environmental impact of fluid power products and/or systems (e.g., leaks, sustainable materials, environmental damage). As sustainability becomes an increasingly important concern for many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their customers, it is also influencing the design of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. For example, the increasing use of biodegradable hydraulic fluids helps minimize negative environmental impacts in the event of leaks. These fluids decompose more readily, preventing contamination of soil and waterways they might enter. Manufacturing more durable components is another area of development. This helps machine owners maintain productivity while reducing waste and the amount of materials and production required to manufacture new components.
5. Noise
Reduce the noise level and harshness generated by fluid power products and/or systems. Reducing the noise of hydraulic and pneumatic systems helps create a quieter working environment for operators of industrial machinery. This not only makes the working environment more comfortable but also safer, as quieter operation allows personnel to better communicate and discuss potential problems or other matters.
6. Power Density
Increase the power density of fluid power products and/or systems. This enables hydraulic and pneumatic systems to generate greater power, helping to meet the energy efficiency and compactness requirements of machine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In many industrial operations, space is extremely valuable, so if a component or system can deliver greater power within a smaller package size, it can help reduce the overall size of the machine without compromising performance.
7. Reliability and Durability
Improve the reliability and/or durability of fluid power products and/or systems. Hydraulic and pneumatic systems used in industrial applications often face harsh operating conditions. By improving the reliability and durability of fluid power components, they can better withstand these operating conditions. Doing so also helps machine owners maintain productivity and reduce the amount of maintenance they may need to perform.
8. Safety
Enhance the safe use and application of fluid power products and/or systems. Manufacture safer components and systems to ensure the safety of personnel using and maintaining fluid power solutions when dealing with these technologies. For example, hydraulic systems operate under high pressure, which can cause personal injury if safety measures are not taken. Therefore, incorporating safety features into system design and providing appropriate training on the operation of fluid power systems is crucial. As the industrial sector’s demand for more precise control and automation continues to grow, safety will also become a critical factor.
9. Service
Improve the availability of fluid power system components or enhance maintenance services for fluid power systems on machines. Making industrial machinery easier to maintain is key to ensuring machine owners’ productivity. Any unplanned downtime is not only costly in terms of purchasing replacement parts, but the machine’s inability to perform its intended tasks can lead to further work disruptions on the production line, resulting in potential business losses. The industrial sector also faces a skills gap. Those with years of experience maintaining machinery and its fluid power systems are retiring, creating a need for techniques that can help less experienced personnel more easily identify and resolve maintenance problems.
