What are the benefits of Fluid Power Systems?
The core theme of Fluid Power Circuits is about producing quality schematics and fluid power circuit designs. This week I have been working on a particular application that by its functional requirements was quite straight forward, however, as the details started to evolve with how it is/was to operate, where it was intended to operate. My concerns started to increase to a point that internal alarms started going off, as always at this point it is about slowing down the project and to re-think the design outline.
This scenario is a typical experience for fluid power designers, and it is this challenge that makes the role interesting. As I explored this further, I was reminded how flexible and how fluid power systems bring a genuine path of advantages to a machine design.
The classic text book explanations of these advantages are:
- Multiplication and variation of Force–Linear or rotary force can be multiplied from a fraction of grams to several hundred tonnes of output.
- Easy, accurate control-You can start, stop, accelerate, decelerate, reverse or position large forces with great accuracy. Analog (infinitely variable) and digital (on/off) control are possible.
- Multi-function control-A single hydraulic pump or air compressor can provide power and control for numerous machines or machine functions when combined with fluid power manifolds and valves.
- High horsepower, low weight ratio–Pneumatic components are compact and lightweight. You can hold a five horsepower hydraulic motor in the palm of your hand.
- Low speed torque–Unlike electric motors, air or hydraulic motors can produce large amounts of torque (twisting force) while operating at low speeds.
- Constant force or torque–This is a unique fluid power attribute.
- Safety in hazardous environments–Fluid power can be used in mines, chemical plants, near explosives and in paint applications because it is inherently spark-free and can tolerate high temperatures.
These 7 key principals form the heart and soul of every fluid power circuit design, which provides a designer with the confidence to say okay, you can have Force, Control, Power and you can operate it in a hazardous environment.
Now, this is where the real benefit of Fluid Power Systems begins, the industry is saturated with thousands of different components to enable a fluid power circuit to be constructed to produce a result. The benefits of a saturated industry are: options and negotiating power. (We’ll discuss this in more detail later)
In summary, fluid power systems provide a designer with a wonderful range of options for achieving world class functional machines.
I am inspired by ~Ove Arup famous quote:
“Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions, good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution. This is a creative activity, involving imagination, intuition and deliberate choice.”
At Fluid Power Circuits we can help identify the components you need to achieve your vision.
