Wandfluh is one of the product lines that FPS can choose from in these instances.

Click here for an overview of Wandfluh’s Explosion protection offerings.

Their combined Corrosion/Explosion protection brochure has a more detailed explanation of their offerings. Even more explosion proof information can be found here.

Their electro-hydraulic product line is broken down into two groups:

1. Coils & Electronic Valve Controllers

• This group consists of Proportional & Solenoid valve drivers that are available in DIN, rail-mounted, or remote mounted configurations.
• Also included in this group is the EVDR, EFDR, ETDR line of programmable controllers.

2. Heavy Duty Electronic Vehicle Controls

• The Vehicle Controls group features more advanced electronic control units (ECUs), including the new CoreTek ECU offering.
• Input devices, sensors and displays are also part of this product selection.

If you’re new to electro-hydraulic controls, check out the Hydraforce introduction pages:

• Intro to SP-Type Electro-Proportional Valves and Coil Operation for Directional Control Applications (click here for more)

• Intro to Electro-Hydraulic Control Technology (click here for more)

Most often, they are used on our power units, but occasionally we have a manifold application requiring some more advanced electrical controls.

Below is an example of a complete control system enclosure with 2 remote control units that we put together for a customer.

Keep an eye out for upcoming Manufacturer Spotlight posts highlighting more electrical control options that FPS offers.

10 Pitfalls To Avoid When Designing Electro-Hydraulic Machines, Pt. 1

“I like to tell people that I prefer to learn from someone else’s experience rather than my own because it tends to hurt a lot less…”

Thanks, Dave!

Click here to read part 1.

Do you find yourself at the bench with the kids or onsite in the field needing access to the Wandfluh catalog? If you have an iPhone or iPad, you’re in luck.

Download the Wandfluh app from the App Store (and throw that big catalog in the recycle bin).

Like everything that we do, we take pride in putting together a clean, professional product.

Below are some examples of the work we have done.

Everything is clearly labeled.

Clean wire runs.

Emergency stops and safety labels are standard items of concern.

Another example of a clean, well-labeled cabinet.

From engraved legend plates to using colors to visually highlight controls, we have a lot of configuration options.

We also offer remote located control panels to go with your power unit/electrical control enclosure system.

Ed’s Product Notes is a collection of product information and application write-ups that Ed has written over the years which we believe you may find useful. Another great resource for technical information!

Check it out here: Ed’s Product Notes.

In a previous post we showed you pictures from the delivery of our newest machining center. Since that time, we’ve been working on setting up the machine.

Below are some pictures that we took along the way.

The pallet changer, ready to receive its first tombstone.

The electronic brains of the machine.

The tools are loaded.

The tombstone is installed and being indicated in.

A test run underway.

Looks like a successful test run.

During the 3D CAD design phase, we work closely with our customers to analyse how to best package a system that allows for damage-free shipping and perfect fit in the installation. Sometimes that means creating a custom part.

When these instances occur, we work with our trusted suppliers to produce prototypes parts. FPS also has an in-house paint booth that gives us flexibility for quick turnaround parts.

Below are some examples of 3D designs that we have prototyped, and some that are production items for us.

A power unit frame with visibility cut-outs, mounting feet and lifting eye accommodations.

The customer was looking for a complete package that fully enclosed the manifold and electronics. We came up with this powder coated enclosure.

Custom stainless steel reservoir with mounting feet for the manifold and heat exchanger.

This custom reservoir features din rails for the customer's electrical enclosure along with special brackets for mounting the heat exchanger.

Even manifolds need custom fabrications sometimes. In this case we needed a bracket for shipping and, as an added the bonus, the customer was able to use the bracket in their installation, too!

Often times when working with a hydraulic system, the importance of oil cleanliness is undervalued and in some cases, an afterthought.

Contamination—ranging from large chunks of metal down to simply honing dust—can cause valve failure, which typically happens at the worst moment.

Hydac USA offers a wide range of products and tools to help evaluate a hydraulic system.

Wondering how neglecting proper filtration can effect the bottom line?  Fill out their savings caclulator.

Do you find the ISO Cleanliness Class Codes a bit confusing to understand? Request their ISO Cleanliness Guidelines for Hydraulic & Lube Oil poster (and be the envy of everyone in your office).

If you would like to discuss how you could best leverage the Hydac filter line and fluid service products, contact one of our sales offices near you!

In this example, we were able to offer the customer a main manifold that could be used in a standalone configuration and the option of 2 bolt-on manifolds (that could also be used standalone if desired).

Benefits of this design concept:

• Reduced inventory requirements for the customer. (Instead of stocking 3 different large manifolds, the main manifold can be stocked at a higher quantity and the 2 add-on optional manifolds at lower quantities.)
• Flexibility in the available product offerings. With this concept we could design new bolt-on options that could potentially be added in the field.
• Reduced cost.  The fittings and hoses that are usually required when connecting different manifolds are not needed in the bolt-on concept.

This manifold also uses the Hydraforce E-coils we discussed in a previous post here.

I was recently surprised to discover the Hydraforce Insider blog. As I scrolled through the posts, I was amazed at the wealth of technical information available.

Some of the posts that caught my eye were:

• 3 Overlooked Benefits of Cartridge Valves
• Improper Torque’s Effects on Cartridge Valves
• Suggestions for Cost-Effective Hydraulic Manifold Design
• The Effects of Coil Temperature on a Cartridge Valves Performance
• Cartridge Valves Combining Multiple Functions into a Single Cavity
• Making a Case for Hydraulic Manifolds: No More Spaghetti Please

Another example of a mobile OEM manifold assembly.

This is a green anodized 6061-T6511 aluminum manifold that utilizes the Hydraforce E-Coils that was featured in a previous post.

A couple of other features of interest in this assembly:

• The solenoid valves all have manual override control knobs/buttons. If the application needs to have override control in the event of electrical failure, you’ll want these included.
• This assembly uses lockdown plates on the four large solenoid valves. When evaluating an application, our engineers draw on years of experience to help ensure that our customers have the best package possible. One of these little details is pro-actively including lockdown plates (or at the very least, provisions for them).  The lockdown plates ensure that the cartridge valve won’t “back out” when undergoing high pressure cycles.
• FPS uses screw-in type cap plugs on all threaded ports. We have found that the screw-in type are less likely to introduce contamination (as opposed to the push-in type) and provide a best port closure to help make sure that any residual oil doesn’t leak out during shipping.

At FPS we are always looking for ways to improve the way we do business.

Using the knowledge we have gained over the 20+ years of making manifolds we have set out to overhaul the workflow through our machine shop.

In designing the workcell we had 2 main goals:

1. Evaluate workflow and reduce handling in order to reduce production time.
2. Redefine and computerize the inspection process to improve manifold quality.

When handling raw pieces of aluminum, steel or ductile iron ergonomics are important. Here, the operator can safely move and handle material without needing a forklift or having to constantly bend over.

Creating good work flow from machine operator to manifold inspector is important.

Leveraging computer technology is a critical part of our company.

Mounting is achieved “sandwich” style via the middle flange port (notice the included trepan o-ring in the right view).

This manifold also takes advantage of the Hydraforce Series E Environmental Coils. The Hydraforce E-coils allow us to offer mobile style electrical coils rated between IP65 and IP69K  (dependant on coil connector choice).