It is hard to believe we're already entering the final weeks of 2024. Seriously, where did the year go? But as yet another busy year begins to wind down, I can't help but take some time to reflect on all that happened in the world of fluid power.
There are a number of technological developments taking place in this space to help create more efficient and productive systems while automation, electrification and other larger trends are factoring into the need for these and other performance capabilities.
And that's what helps make my job interesting — there's always a new technology or trend to learn about, or engineering tips to pass along to readers. Even the smallest of developments can bring about big changes, which is one of the things I've always found fascinating about this industry, as well as the wide array of use cases for these forms of motion control technology.
Although picking my favorite piece of content from this year is as difficult as picking my favorite pet or baked good, I thought it would be nice to take a look back at some of the pieces from this year which stood out to me because the technology covered was unique or they spoke to the trends shaping the future of hydraulics and pneumatics.
Sensors Improve Monitoring of Hydraulic Oil Conditions
Hydraulic oil is a key element of any hydraulic system, but monitoring the condition of it has not always been easy or as informative as many in the industry would like. In this piece, I had the opportunity to speak with three companies who came together to implement a real-time oil condition monitoring sensor capable of communicating performance information to
What I like about this piece is not only how it demonstrates the advancements taking place in sensors but also those in the fluid power industry as a whole by bringing together electronics, hydraulics and data collection capabilities — a trend that will only continue to grow. I also like how the project discussed in this piece showcases the collaboration taking place within the industry which will be necessary going forward to continue advancing the fluid power market.
What is the Future of Hydraulics in Construction Equipment?
A highlight for me in 2024 was when I had the chance to speak with Joel Honeyman, VP of Global Innovation at Bobcat. While our discussion initially focused on the advancements the construction machinery OEM is making in electrification and automation, Honeyman's background in hydraulics enabled him to also provide perspective on where he and the company see this technology going in the future.
Spoiler alert, he still sees a long life ahead for hydraulics which will likely include their marriage with electronics. As he noted during our discussion, there are applications where electric actuation technologies are a good fit, such as Bobcat's T7X all-electric compact track loader, and others requiring hydraulic actuation or a combination of the two.
This philosophy of using the right technology for the right application, and the growing use of new options, is a key driver of our editorial mission and the rebranding to Power & Motion in 2022. Technology and machine needs are changing, and so our goal is to provide our audience with all the information we can to help our readers choose the best motion control solution for a given application.
Pushing the Limit on What is Possible with Hydraulic Valve Technology
A favorite part of my job is learning about the varied uses of hydraulics and pneumatics, especially ones that are unique or new to me. This was the case when I interviewed the CEO of hydraulic valve developer Domin which worked with a team competing in the America's Cup.
From this interview I learned how important hydraulic systems are to the performance of the racing yachts used in this competition as well as the willingness of company's like Domin to rethink what is possible with hydraulics to deliver a valve capable of higher pressures while maintaining efficient operation. For fluid power to remain a motion control technology of choice in the years to come, efforts like this to try new things will be critical.
Pneumatics a Key Piece of the Automation Puzzle in Packaging Applications
I don't always get to see pneumatics in action as much as I do hydraulics, but this year's PACK EXPO International provided that opportunity. And it did not disappoint. On display were a number of pneumatics solutions offering improved precision, efficiency and other performance capabilities enabled by the ongoing technological developments taking place in this sector which are helping it to be an important part of many automated systems.
The show, and the many conversations I had with companies at it, demonstrated how important pneumatic components and systems remain to packaging and the broader manufacturing machinery sector. As Mark Walters, Industry Segment Sales Manager, Food & Packaging at Festo Corp., told me, pneumatics is never going away because it continues to be a cost-effective option.
One of my favorite things to cover each year is the National Fluid Power Association's Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge. This annual design competition for university students tasks them with creating a new vehicle design, starting with a bicycle as the base, that employs hydraulics and/or pneumatics technologies.
Learning that the 2024-2025 challenge has the most student teams participating to date is encouraging to see when we continue to hear how the fluid power industry, like so many others, is facing a lack of skilled labor entering it. As noted by many people in the sector I've spoken to, the industry is not necessarily the first one engineering students think to go into and there is a need to demonstrate all of the interesting things going on it. The vehicle challenge is a great way to introduce students to fluid power technology and give them a chance to work with it, and hopefully inspire them to work in the industry.
