This Week in Power & Motion: DGD Fluid Power Cartridge Flow Transmitter Receives U.S. Patent

There is much going on in the world of fluid power and motion control, from technology introductions and industry advancements to new trends and industry leaders. Each week the Power & Motion team collects some of the latest industry news to help keep our readers up to date on what's happening in the industries in which they work.

DGD Fluid Power Receives U.S. Patent

DGD Fluid Power has received a U.S. Patent for its CFT Cartridge Flow Transmitter (pictured above). Featuring multiple output options, the CFT provides a digital solution to measuring flow in hydraulic systems.

"It is a great honor to have our efforts to develop this new technology acknowledged by the U.S. Patent Office. We are excited to continue moving forward as we are making it possible for machine and system designers to harvest real time flow data at any point in an integrated hydraulic system or as a discrete component," said Dale Dietel, President and CEO of DGD Fluid Power. "As a career fluid power professional, it was my goal to fill this gap in data collection for the industry. With the increasing emergence of machine intelligence, we are making it easier than ever to 'Know the Flow.'"

Beckhoff's Kevin Barker Joins A3 Technology Strategy Board

Kevin Barker, President of Beckhoff USA, was elected to the Motion Control & Motors Technology Strategy Board of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). He will serve for the 2023/2024 term, bringing his expertise in motion control and industrial automation.

A3’s four Technology Strategy Boards help to provide direction for the association to ensure it and its members stay on top of critical industry trends.

Kevin Barker, president of Beckhoff Automation LLC, was elected to A3’s Motion Control & Motors Technology Strategy Board.

"Kevin Barker is an ideal candidate for our A3 Technology Strategy Board, and we could not be happier to have him join the team," said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, in the press release announcing Barker's appointment. "He is well known throughout the industrial automation community not just for his leadership at Beckhoff, but also for his expertise in motion control as well as his business savvy when it comes to identifying and taking action on industry trends as they emerge. We look forward to the new insights he will bring during his term with A3."

Helios Technologies Opens Faster Automated Warehouse in Italy

Helios Technologies has opened a new Automated Warehouse at its operating company Faster which is located in the Lombardy region of Italy, which the company said is considered to be one of the world’s most innovative and technology-friendly areas in the hydraulics industry.

The newly built Faster Automated Warehouse is an advanced 2,100 sq. m facility with capacity for 6,900 pallets. It is capable of servicing up to 190 pallets/hour and the centralized location will aid delivery to customers around the world. Various automated processes built into the facility help to ensure accurate and timely deliveries while its space and layout allows for new assembly lines to be added as needed.

"The investment made in this new state-of-the-art warehouse and logistics center in Italy exemplifies how we are utilizing our capital to make investments that we expect will drive both top and bottom-line growth. The new innovative, flexible, and efficiently built automated warehouse expands our Regional Hydraulics capabilities in Europe and enables us to better service our customers while leveraging a best-in-class manufacturing and operating approach," said Josef Matosevic, Helios’ President, and Chief Executive Officer, in the company's press release announcing the facility's opening.

"With this new facility, we expect to drive greater operational efficiencies, improve quality control, and enable technological enhancements that create advanced hydraulic solutions for our customers. We are furthering our expertise in hydraulics and electronics to exceed the boundaries of today’s approach to motion control by expanding our unique pure-play position in the industry," he added.

Volvo CE Further Expands Electrification Offering

Heavy machinery OEM Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) continues expand its efforts in the are of electrification. Most recently, it has introduced a conversion model of its 20-ton L120 wheel loader, helping to bring electric drive capabilities to mid-size equipment.

Volvo CE partnered with Parker Hannifin which has been working in the area of electrification as well due to its growing market presence and the impacts it will have on the design of fluid power systems. By partnering with other companies working on electromobility solutions, Volvo CE said in its press release announcing the new conversion model that these types of solutions can be developed and brought to market faster.

The conversion model is powered by 240 kWh batteries, providing about 5 hours of run time in most heavy-duty applications. It is also designed to provide performance similar to the diesel version of the wheel loader. Initially, the electric conversion model will be available to select customers in Europe with potential of expanding it to other markets in the future.

The L120H Electric Conversion wheel loader provides emissions-free operation and performance equivalent to a diesel model.

Volvo CE has also announced a further investment in battery pack production. The company plans to add battery pack production at its Changwon plant in South Korea which is currently the company's largest excavator production site.

A variety of battery packs will be produced at the facility for the entire Volvo Group; the site will also become a core competence center for electric excavators. The company said in its press release announcing these plans that having battery production in South Korea will allow it to serve APAC markets in a flexible and cost-effective manner.

"Changwon is ideally located close to battery module supply partners and other key suppliers in South Korea to meet the needs of customers in the future. We are also home to a highly skilled and motivated workforce who are fully committed to meeting our future environmental targets," said Andy Knight, Head of Operations Excavator and Managing Director of Volvo Group Korea, in the company's press release.