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.
NFPA Foundation to Administer Thomas Wanke Legacy Fund
The National Fluid Power Association's (NFPA) Education and Technology Foundation will take over administration of the Thomas Wanke Legacy Fund. The fund was established after his passing earlier in 2022 by his widow to help provide fluid power educational funding which was an important goal for Wanke.
Wanke was an active member of the fluid power industry for over 50 years; he was a professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and headed its Fluid Power Institute, and was active with the NFPA to help promote educational opportunities and industry partnerships.
Since establishing the memorial fund, over $10,000 has been donated so far. The NFPA is continuing to accept donations and plans to match all donations received up to a maximum of $25,000 to help create an established base for the fund. Money from the Legacy Fund will be used to provide annual awards to help increase the number of students studying fluid power as well as improve fluid power education at universities across the U.S.
READ MORE: Fluid Power Industry Mourns Passing of Tom Wanke
Dayco Transfers Hydraulics Products to Kurt Hydraulics
Kurt Hydraulics has agreed to take over inventory of Dayco-branded hydraulic hoses and couplings. Dayco North America, a supplier of various components to aid vehicle motion such as belts and hoses, has decided to leave the hydraulics market. Kurt Hydraulics has manufactured hydraulic fittings for Dayco for several years, and will now take over manufacture and supply of all Dayco hydraulics products.
The company will be able to provide Dayco distributors with an expanded line of hydraulics components including hoses, fittings and crimpers.
"As a long-time partner to Dayco’s hydraulic coupling business, our hose and couplings are interchangeable with Dayco’s product line and have a part match in the Kurt catalog and website...so the transition is a natural one for us," said Scott Czupryna, national sales manager for Kurt Hydraulics, in the company's press release announcing the agreement.
Danfoss Receives Grant to Decarbonize Construction Equipment
Danfoss Power Solutions has received a $450,000 grant from the U.K. government to help accelerate electrification of construction equipment. The grant is part of the U.K.'s Red Diesel Replacement competition which aims to accelerate the move toward electric-powered off-road machinery.
The grant will aid Danfoss with its work in this area. Danfoss intends to combine electrification technology with its Digital Displacement solution to improve the efficiency of heavy-duty equipment which can greatly benefit emissions-reduction efforts. Combining electrification and Digital Displacement technologies can reduce energy consumption up to 50% Danfoss said in its press release announcing receipt of the grant. By reducing energy consumption, smaller batteries can be utilized which is beneficial in large machines like excavators that would otherwise require several large batteries to meet power needs.
Danfoss said in its press release it is also constructing a £25 million state-of-the-art manufacturing, research, and development facility in Edinburgh, Scotland, to commercialize its Digital Displacement technology and Editron electric drivetrains. The facility, known as the Decarbonization Hub, will aid the company's efforts to decarbonize construction equipment and is expected to become operational in 2023.
"Our new U.K. facility will be an important hub for Danfoss decarbonization programs. This grant from the U.K. government recognizes the potential of our efforts and will help us realize our plans," said Leif Bruhn, head of Digital Displacement, Danfoss Power Solutions, in the company's press release. "These funds will be used to accelerate the work we’re doing to develop next-generation, climate-friendly technologies in hydraulics, digitalization, and electrification."
READ MORE: Danfoss Editron Powers Doosan Electric Excavators
Allied Electronics & Automation Changing Brand Name
Allied Electronics & Automation, a brand of RS Group plc, plans to rebrand as RS in the first quarter of 2023. Per the company's press release announcing the name change, the decision was made as part of an overall rebranding strategy to establish a better connection across RS Group’s products and services.
"Aligning all of our businesses under RS Group allows us to operate as a single global integrated solutions partner, expanding our value proposition and making it easier for our customers and suppliers to do business with us," said Lindsley Ruth, Chief Executive Officer of RS Group plc, in Allied's press release.
New Holland Agriculture Electro-Hydraulic Technology Receives Award
Farm machine OEM New Holland Agriculture recently received an EIMA Innovation Award for the design of its Electro-Hydraulic Self Levelling Tool Carrier system which is integrated into its telehandlers.
The company explained in its press release announcing receipt of the award that telehandlers typically use a hydraulic compensation cylinder to keep attachments parallel to the ground. However, New Holland's electrohydraulic system eliminates the need for this cylinder which provides operational improvements such as better attachment levelling accuracy and higher operator productivity with less effort.
New Holland also received a special mention for its E15X Electric Power mini excavator, a battery-electric machine which utilizes bio-hydraulic oil.
The EIMA Innovation Awards honor a variety of technological developments within the agricultural industry and are held in conjunction with EIMA, a biennial agricultural trade show held in Bologna, Italy. The 2022 event is scheduled for November 9-13.
