The fluid power industry is changing due to global megatrends such as urbanisation, the need for infrastructure replacement, and climate change initiatives driven by regulations. To meet this challenge the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE), being held in Las Vegas from 14 to 18 March, is showcasing the latest leading edge innovations and expertise in the fluid power, power transmission and motion control industries. IFPE’s publication How Digitalization & Electrification improve Efficiency in Fluid Power has insights from companies such as Bosch-Rexroth, Parker and ifm. The book reviews changes to the fluid power industry as a result of electrified technology, and gives input from leading industry experts on the challenges, and the industry’s future direction. The experts quoted are from the over 375 companies exhibiting this transformative technology at the exposition. Here are some of the issues highlighted.
Predictive maintenance
The ability to predict problems accurately is critical for efficiency. Bosch-Rexroth is featuring digital and electric products that help deliver this. The technology includes electric motors, power distribution units, onboard chargers and a new series of electronic controllers.
Supply chain
The past two years have demonstrated the importance of supply chain efficiency and how disruptive life becomes when it’s not efficient. Add to that the pain of inflation, and these factors begin to impact the speed of electrification. One solution is to accelerate product development using 3D printing.
Safety
No one wins if equipment does not address safety. One way digitalisation delivers safety is by enabling the regulations. It has a direct correlation to improved safety, which enhances efficiency. Parker has sensors, connected hydraulic valves, and other components with less wiring and cables that could fail. The company also offers intelligent machine controllers that leverage AI to make logical decisions automatically before sending the data to the cloud.
A more data-driven approach to fluid power
How do we turn machine data into machine wisdom? IIoT is about connecting functions together to improve the whole. Leveraging technology to automatically connect one engineer with another can leverage the expertise of both disciplines to achieve the maximum possible efficiency beyond the individual component level. Designing modular components that engineers can arrange and integrate into customised systems is the enabler for elevating fluid power efficiency beyond anything possible today.
One thing the experts agree on is that the most crucial consideration when developing new technology for electrification is this: companies that build technology that maximises overall system efficiency will win, and society will be the beneficiary.
To view the e-book visit www.motioncontrol.co.za/*ifpe
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