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The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sports and the highest prize in sailing. Although it has a colorful history dating to 1851, America’s Cup wind-powered racing yachts certainly aren’t old school: the boats use advanced light-weight materials, the latest in nautical design, and aerospace control technology to skim across the ocean’s surface at speeds approaching 50 knots. That’s 55-plus miles-per-hour for landlubbers and the ultimate challenge for the 11-sailor crews that navigate the sophisticated yachts.
Parker is no stranger to the high-pressure competition that fuels the America’s Cup, having supported U.S. teams as an official partner during the last America’s Cup and supplying parts for decades. Following the announcement on January 7, 2019, Parker Hannifin is teaming with a New York Yacht Club-backed entry from the United States called “American Magic.” Parker is the official control systems partner to bring the trophy home to America’s shore in the 36th America’s Cup in 2021. Parker and the American Magic Team will work together to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for the team’s racing boats. Leveraging a portfolio of proven aerospace and industrial technologies, these systems will enable the advanced yachts with precise control of the lifting surfaces and the wing required to produce optimum performance.
"Parker is honored to be a part of the American Magic team and to build on our long history with the America's Cup. The motion and control challenges that are presented by this latest generation of foiling yachts are significant and relevant to those that we see in our core business. The opportunity to partner with some of the most talented engineers and athletes on the planet in the crucible of a world-class competition is a recipe for technology advancement, and hopefully some American magic."
— Craig Maxwell, vice president and chief technology and innovation officer for Parker
New monohull design developed under AC75 Class Rule
Teams will be racing a monohull boat designed under the AC75 Class Rule, which defines the parameters within which teams can design a yacht eligible to compete for the 36th America’s Cup. In addition to shared weight, mast, and sail specifications, the AC75 boats will feature a 75-foot monohull with a T-foil rudder and twin canting T-foils. The objective of this design is to allow the boats to accelerate sufficiently that their foils elevate the hulls from the water to navigate above the ocean’s surface, reducing drag and increasing speed.
The AC75 is a “one-design” vessel, meaning that all teams’ boats use the same design for the main structural elements. The teams can innovate and gain advantage at the system levels of the boats. That’s where Parker Aerospace comes in.
Parker motion controls to optimize American Magic’s performance
Putting 100-plus years of engineering expertise to work and applying a broad range of core technologies, Parker will integrate its controls, hydraulics, and actuators into a key motion and control system that helps American Magic boats achieve stability as each lift onto its foils and accelerates.
According to Mark Czaja, vice president of technology and innovation with Parker Motion Systems, a wide range of Parker products and system-level expertise will help the American Magic boat perform at its highest level.
“Working with the team's Official Innovation Partner, Airbus – with whom Parker already works closely on several commercial and military aircraft platforms – we are bringing advanced control technologies to the American Magic boats, refining the design of the control system and its components for the rigors of saltwater competition.”
— Mark Czaja, vice president of technology and innovation with Parker Motion Systems
Half-scale boat tested on the water in Pensacola, Florida
The New York Yacht Club American Magic team has built a boat to half-scale of a race-ready AC75 design. The 38-foot boat—known as “the Mule” to its sailors, designers, and shore crew—has undergone testing in the waters of Pensacola, Florida. The shakedown runs serve to train the crew and provide system-level data that will influence the building of the first full-scale American Magic boat. The first AC75 yacht should be in the water by the end of August of 2019. Data gathered from the first boat will inform construction of a second one; either of the two boats can be used in the Challenger selection events and, ultimately, the America’s Cup.
Challenger selection events to determine who will face Defender Team Emirates New Zealand
The 36th America’s Cup match will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, in March of 2021. Prior to the America’s Cup, American Magic will compete in the America’s Cup World Series (April 23-26, 2020) and the Prada Cup Challenger series starting in January 2021. These races build toward the 36th America’s Cup over March 6-21, when the competition leader will earn the right to face current cup defender, Team Emirates New Zealand. But there is much to do before that for American Magic—and Parker—to prepare for the next edition of the America’s Cup.
We’ll be blogging throughout the run-up to the America’s Cup race in 2021, keeping readers posted on Parker and American Magic progress toward winning the cup for America.
This post was contributed by Zack Cody, project lead and a member of the Parker Aerospace central engineering department.
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The industrial manufacturing landscape is transforming against a backdrop of uncertainty. The shifts taking place globally in technology, advanced manufacturing, and government policy changes have created a moving target for manufacturers. This is causing many companies to be cautious. So, what’s an industrial manufacturer to do? To maintain or to create manufacturing competitiveness in our evolving landscape, companies must act now in making strategic investments essential for growth.
The good news? The ongoing focus by manufacturers on research and innovation is paying off for those who apply it strategically. For instance, the cheap labor of the 1990s is giving way to automation technology as the more important factor for manufacturing efficiency.
The not-so-good news? These opportunities are counterbalanced by a global manufacturing environment that is beyond challenging. Fluctuating resource prices, a shortage of tech-savvy talent and growing supply-chain and regulatory risks add to manufacturers’ unease, causing them to grow cautious when boldness is required to assure competitiveness.
Download our white paper Four Strategies for Assuring Your Company’s Manufacturing Competitiveness for an in-depth look into the emerging industrial manufacturing trends and strategies that you can employ today to create new market opportunities for your company.
Strategic playbook for growth and success in a globally competitive world
For industrial manufacturing companies looking to grow and succeed in our highly competitive marketplace, making an investment into four strategies creates a potential playbook to act upon.
There’s a technological renaissance that is transforming the look, systems, and processes of the modern factory, and it’s wide-ranging. From the Internet of Things and its 4th Industrial Revolution to additive manufacturing, industrial manufacturing is shedding its skin to become an entirely different entity.
Here are a few of the life-changing advances happening now:
1. Advanced Manufacturing
The Internet of Things (IoT) is well on its way to creating the connected factory of the future. With the adoption and deployment of smaller, less costly sensors, the development of advanced analytics and the commodity storage options provided by the cloud, manufacturers can have wireless/mobile access to data globally - as well as anywhere on the plant floor – facilitating new levels of information monitoring, collection, processing, and analysis.
By expanding the power of the web to link machines, sensors, computers, and humans, IoT enables the data-driven insights and digital connectivity needed to adapt, add to or reinvent business models with the end goal of delivering higher-quality, more reliable products.
Yet there are risks to IoT adoption. Prime among them is the threat of cyber attacks by hackers determined to steal trade secrets and intellectual property. To create an inviolable factory of the future, manufacturers must rethink security standards and provide enhanced security during all phases of manufacturing from design to distribution – even after purchase.
How quickly must preparations be made for the connected factory of the future? IoT factories are predicted to be commonplace within five or ten years. Of course, it’s one thing to invest in transformative technologies when business is good – it’s another when business is off.
Then there's additive manufacturing technology, also referred to as 3D printing. Right now, 3D printing can spur innovation and reduce time-to-market through application to the product development/prototyping process.
2. Process Optimization
While technologies that advance manufacturing are important to competitiveness, most manufacturers identify process improvement as key to company success. That equates to:
Reducing production time,
Achieving more operational flexibility, and
Improving its equipment and layout both in and outside the factory.
To achieve these goals and meet evolving opportunities, companies need to automate, upgrade and streamline. Notably, the impact of automation on global manufacturing, particularly in the area of robotics, cannot be underestimated.
3. Cost Reductions
Propelled by advanced technologies and the increasing reliability and availability of data, manufacturing competitiveness is upending the factory status quo and creating a highly responsive and innovative global manufacturing landscape. Management must search out innovations that will affect the company’s bottom line. Yet innovations cost money, right? Companies looking to protect their bottom line are pursuing aggressive and proactive cost containment programs that embrace improvements in energy consumption, advances in logistics technology and new materials.
4. Skills Training
It’s taking manufacturers longer and longer to fill skilled positions - a situation that is likely to continue for the next 15 years. In fact, estimations are that there will be 2 million unfulfilled manufacturing jobs by 2025 in the United States. That means companies will need to act now in order to offset labor shortages later.
A few possible ways to alleviate the problem include:
New technology training to upgrade the skill sets of current employees.
Recruitment to attract the tech-savvy – otherwise known as millennials.
Creating a culture where suggestions for improvements are welcomed and rewarded.
Embracing an open-book management philosophy where employees see themselves as partners in the company.
Next steps
Download the white paper Four Strategies for Assuring Your Company’s Manufacturing Competitiveness for details on these strategies, and the steps industrial manufacturers must take today to capitalize on new market opportunities that await.
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When classic sealing materials – for instance in temperature ranges above 300°C and below -50°C – reach their limits alternative materials are required such as metal with appropriate coating/plating.
Parker offers metal seals made of stainless steel or nickel alloys in C, E and other designs characterized by high pre-loading force and significant resilience. Drawing on many years of experience in the gas turbine market, Parker has continually expanded its expertise in large diameters and developed special problem solutions that substantially increase the efficiency of the machines.
Metal seal types and sizes
The most important manufacturing technologies used to produce metal seals from stainless steel or nickel alloys are rolling, forming, CNC machining, welding, heat treatment and coating/plating. In its more than 60-year history of producing metal seals, Parker has continually tackled the challenge of manufacturing increasingly large metal seals. Currently, spring-energized C-rings with a diameter of up to 7.6 m can be produced for which special forming machines and patented welding techniques were developed. They are supported by optimized special heat treatment and electroplating processes that make it possible to manufacture high-quality products even in such large dimensions. Additionally, Parker offers non-rotationally symmetric metal seals. These E-, O- and C-seals can be produced in lengths of up to 2.3 m on machines specifically developed for this purpose.
Materials and coatings
The base materials used are special nickel alloys that withstand temperatures of more than 800 °C. These cobalt-nickel-chromium-tungsten alloys or heat-treatable nickel super-alloys make high demands on the welding technology used and are reliably processed at Parker due to optimized manufacturing processes and comprehensive suitability tests.
The choice of plating is primarily focused on wear protection, corrosion resistance and improvement of the sealing properties. For this purpose, the surface properties of the metal seal are modified and a formable external surface layer with adjusted hardness is created. Parker’s application engineering team will advise you in making the appropriate selection from the available plating range of gold, silver, nickel or TriCom® coating.
Website: XXL Size Seals and Molded Parts
Download Whitepaper: Large-Diameter Seals and Moldings - Material and Special Manufacturing Aspects
Download Brochure: XXL- Size Seals and Molded Parts - Powerful Solutions for Large-Scale Applications
Article contributed by
Thorsten Kleinert, business unit manager composite sealing systems
Engineered Materials Group Europe, Prädifa Technology Division
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Following new, more stringent Tier IV diesel engine emissions regulations, Rayco, an environmental equipment designer for the tree care and landscape industries, took the opportunity to develop a more efficient, powerful and compact stump cutter, the RG165T-R. In comparison to previous designs that utilized diesel engines, Rayco’s new stump cutter is centered around a powerful 165 HP gasoline engine.
As a result of the new gasoline design, the equipment’s envelope size was reduced and components were eliminated, such as, after treatment systems, diesel exhaust fluid and electronics. In addition to the robust gasoline engine, the RG 165T-R also packs a closed-circuit hydrostatic cutter wheel drive system that delivers full engine HP to the cutter wheel, completing every job in its path.
Stump cutting presents unique operating scenarios with each cycle. A pump and motor must be able to power through different obstacles at each job site. From technical support to high-quality hydraulic components to quick, on-time delivery, Parker enabled Rayco to develop its new industry-leading stump cutter.
The initial RG165T-R prototype was created using the Parker Series F12 182cc bent axis motor, along with a competitor’s 90cc closed circuit pump. However, during initial rounds of testing, the competitor’s 90cc closed circuit pump struggled with performance and reliability issues, along with the potential for long lead times.
When Rayco reached out to Parker applications team recommended an alternative - the compact, high-performance C Series 81cc hydrostat piston pump and promptly delivered a unit for testing. During subsequent testing of the Parker pump and motor combination, the team worked with Rayco engineers to dial in the performance.
By incorporating these two Parker components, Rayco engineers were able to exceed multiple performance targets. These targets included a 20 percent decrease in heat generation while increasing system efficiency by 10 percent over alternative test units. The C Series pump delivered excellent power density and paired perfectly with the 182cc F12 motor. The combination also translated into the optimal cutter wheel speed, which increased torque output to the cutter teeth by 10%. Another and unexpected benefit of the system was a tighter radius of the wood chips to the machine, resulting in less operational risk during the stump grinding process.
Parker’s Hydraulic Pump and Power Systems Division has been designing pumps and transmission for over 50 years. The division is the result of the Parker piston pump business's acquisition of Denison Hydraulics and the merger with the Parker Oildyne Division. These two businesses combined have extended Parker's product offering to include the quality compact hydraulic products and systems the division has been pioneering since 1955. To learn more about the products, visit www.parker.com/hps or contact the team.
Article contributed by Justin Wheeler, product manager, and Wes Jackson, application engineer for Parker Hannifin's Hydraulic Pump an Power Systems Division.
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For many of us at Parker, leading with purpose means identifying opportunities for making life better in the communities where we live and work. It acknowledges our strengths and aligns with our values, which also makes our work deeply personal, as a group of Parker China team members have experienced firsthand.
Poverty continues to be an ongoing struggle in many parts of rural China. So when a massive earthquake destroyed a primary school in the remote mountain village of Tianshui, Gansu in 2008, families in the neighboring communities had little hope of recovery.
The China Youth Development Foundation quickly formed a plan to rebuild damaged schools in the area and put out a call for help. The answer came from more than 2,000 kilometers and a day’s journey away. Working together, Parker China in Shanghai and The China Youth Development Foundation established The Parker Hannifin Hope School in 2009.
"We believe that education is the root of eliminating poverty in China. So when we learned of the opportunity to help rebuild this vital resource, we felt it was our responsibility to help."
Joan Cai, admin officer, Parker China
Mingde Elementary School
On December 30th, in the southwestern city of Jiangxi winter was cold. On the same day, the Parker Hannifin Volunteer Team consisting of Liu Jianrong, Xu Linling and Gu Jianquan and the staff of the Jinqiao Management Committee of Pudong New Area arrived at this gathering of love-the "Light of Hope" poverty alleviation aid project. School——Mingde Elementary School, Jianchang Town, Nancheng County, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province. The team brought with them a "Love Fuel Bundle," items collected inside the company for the school, so that children can feel the warmth from thousands of miles away.
Located in Tianshui, Gansu along the Qingshui River in Western China, The Hope School provides kindergarten and primary education to students from neighboring villages. In the decade since Parker China began partnering with the Hope School, more than a dozen graduates have enrolled at high-performing universities across the country, including Hunan University and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
And the partnership remains vibrant. Each year, team members from Parker China undertake the long journey to the Hope School to deliver gifts, build relationships and to help address the needs of the surrounding community.
Other team members routinely donate gift packages to the school and one even went as far as helping a Hope School Teacher put his daughter through University. Parker plans to establish five new libraries and three sports fields in collaboration with Project Hope.
"Everywhere you turn, there are stories like these. Our Parker team members find meaning and fulfillment in helping rural children learn, grow and thrive."
Joan Cai, admin officer, Parker China
Indeed, The Parker Hannifin Hope School is a shining example of what can happen when Hope meets Purpose. Learn more about Parker's Purpose and download our stories and videos.
Article and images submitted by the Parker China Team
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Traditionally, agricultural sprayer machines were custom-built on a four-wheel chassis. These custom-built units were heavy, expensive and not easily adapted to other farm applications. Sprayers are typically used to apply herbicides, insecticides and fertilizer. Naturally, it would be more practical if a machine that could be used for other functions – such as tilling, loading, and baling.
One manufacturer designed a retrofit using unconventional technologies which resulted in a three-wheel flotation spraying applicator. The new vehicle is less heavy, costs 20 to 50 percent less and is more versatile because it's designed to accomplish more than one function. The sprayer exerts lower ground pressure and more affordable than traditional machinery.
The three-wheeled commercial applicator was designed by retrofitting a mid-range (50 to 120 hp), two-wheel-drive tractor chassis with three major innovations:
Tractors of this size generally have hydraulically assisted steering using a hydraulic cylinder and mechanical linkage assembly. In place of the typical front-wheel steering cylinder, the manufacturer used a Helac helical hydraulic rotary actuator. Parker's Helac L30-65E-FT-180-S1-O-H rotary actuator produces a steering angle of up to 180 degrees and contains a bearing to support the load.
The rotary actuator is a part of the steering super structure, providing the strength and flexibility the vehicle requires without unnecessary weight, complexity and maintenance required of mechanical linages. It supports a thrust load of 8000 pounds and accommodates 423,000 pounds per inch of bending moment capacity. It transmits 55,000 pounds per inch of steering torque when fully loaded. The L30 series actuator’s design makes it capable of angular displacement of 360-degrees or more.
The tractor’s original-equipment hydraulic power unit supplies pressurized fluid for steering and other hydraulic functions. Maximum system pressure is 2950 psig with eight gallons per minute of flow but the steering function generally operates at pressure of 1500 to 2000 psig. The only modification needed to the tractor’s original hydraulic system is a higher displacement steering unit. This is because a rotary actuator requires more fluid to move the wheel through its entire range of motion than a cylinder does. The plumbing of the steering control unit is routed directed to the actuator, eliminating sections of hose and fittings otherwise required by the cylinder.
Height and orientation of the sprayer boom are also controlled with hydraulics. A five-spool solenoid valve routes hydraulic fluid to and from cylinders that raise, lower, rotate, and pivot the prayer boom. Furthermore, an open-center motor, controlled by an electronic flow-control valve, supplies the driving torque to apply the fertilizer or other substance to crops. The retrofit package also includes a suspension style swing arm fork with twin air springs capable of supporting loads to 8000 pounds above the front tire. The air springs’ pressure is adjustable for different loads for smooth riding in the roughest of field conditions. The manufacturer supplied an electric air compressor to generate the pneumatic power for raising pressure in the air springs. The fork’s open front allows for easy access for changing or repairing the front tire. The fork is 50 inches wide, allowing use of huge, 44.00-inch tires for the maximum flotation and the potential for ground pressure as low as four psig.
An integrated solution
The cutaway above shows initial position of piston and output shaft. Pressurized fluid entering the inlet port pushes on the piston; a stationary ring hear causes the piston to rotate clockwise. At right, teeth on the output shaft mesh with those on the ID of the piston, causing the shaft to rotate clockwise relative to the piston. Pressuring the B port returns the piston and shaft to their initial positions.
The actuator used for steering and load support is Parker’s Helac L30-65 actuator. This actuator not only provides a simpler, less expensive structure than alternative designs but also can generate the high torque needed to steer such a large wheel assembly under full load. Previously the manufacturer used steering cylinders, bearings and multiple joints before designing in the sliding spline actuator. With cylinders, all the external moving parts were exposed to the elements. The stress on the joins was high because each steering cylinder had a clevis pin at each end. Stress concentrated on each pin created high wear points, which increased maintenance. Worn pins also allowed side loads to be transmitted to the piston rod. This accelerated wear on the rod and piston bearings increased the occurrence of seal leakage.
The actuator used in the manufactuer's sprayer retrofit is composed of three basic parts: a housing, a central through shaft and an annular piston. Helical gear teeth on the shaft mesh with matching teeth on the inner circumference of the piston; a second set of helical teeth of opposite hand on the outer circumference of the piston engage the housing’s integral ring gear. The double helix gear design works to compound shaft rotation. The rotation of the shaft is almost twice that of the piston. The result is a slender, compact, symmetrical design that generates high torque, is highly tolerant of shock loads, and has none of the house protrusions found in alternative designs.
Characteristics of the helical rotary actuator make it ideal for applications requiring high torque within a small envelope, attributable, primarily, to its sliding-spline operation. Because all spline teeth remain engaged at all times, loads are equally distributed over the teeth. This results in high tolerance to the stock loads. Backlash is minimal – approximately 1°. Furthermore, the integral bearing design enables the actuator to support heavy radial, moment and thrust loads without the need for additional, external bearings. The integral bearing design also produces a clean, compact assembly for a wide variety of applications, including construction and mining equipment, refuse cart dumpers – anywhere compact size, high torque, and wide angle of rotation are needed. Aside from the inherent compact size of the actuator, the integral bearings and large drilled-and-tapped mounting holes make it easy to design the actuator info a structure and simplifies installation.
The manufacturer significantly benefited from switching to Parker’s Helac rotary actuators in three distinct ways:
Parker’s Helac actuators offer a compact package that provides all the support for the load as well as the hydraulic turning needs without adding unnecessary weight. Seal leakage is eliminated and there are fewer maintenance issues since all moving parts are safely enclosed in a cylindrical envelope. Visit www.parker.com/cylinder for more information about Parker’s various actuators.
Planning on attending IFPE 2020?
Five Ways Quickfit Oil Change System Can Increase Your Equipment ROI - IFPE 2020 logo - Parker HannifinTo learn more about Parker’s off-road machinery solutions stop by Booth #S80245 at IFPE/CONEXPO-Con/AGG in Las Vegas March 10 – 14.
Article contributed by Dan Morgado, applications engineer, Parker Hannifin's Cylinder Division.
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Many metalworking facilities feature large, open workspaces. While ideal for large scale production, this setting presents challenges for air quality and in assuring clean air in the work environment. Weld smoke, fumes, oil and coolant mists are harmful to workers. In any manufacturing setting where welding is done, precaution must be taken to limit worker exposure to these harmful contaminants to assure a safe plant environment.
Let's take a look at how one metal fabrication company solved this issue with the help of Parker.
Learn how Parker designed the Cherubini Metal Works solution, download the full case study.
The challenge
Cherubini Metal Works, a fabricator of large structural steel assemblies for bridges and buildings in Nova Scotia, supplies hundreds of thousands of tons of cut, shaped, welded and pre-assembled steel into a variety of standard and custom designs. Their newest fabrication facility in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia measuring 56,000 square feet, often has 15 to 20 welders operating at the same time in their large open workspace. The resulting weld smoke and fumes presented a challenge to the safe and productive environment the company valued.
Typically, source capture systems are used to collect weld fume contaminants. Source capture systems include fume collection hoods, ducting, air cleaning components and fans. However, in a large, open facility like Cherubini, where overhead cranes and large fabricated structural pieces were taking up substantial space, a source capture system was impractical. Cherubini's management team also determined that, due to the low outside temperatures in the winter that could range from -4° to -22°F (-20 to -30°C), they needed to re-circulate filtered air in order to avoid the high heating costs associated with warming air drawn from the outside.
Cherubini's management team consulted with Parker, a leader in the clean air system design, on how to proceed. Typically, there are two ambient air collection options for welding fumes:
Re-circulating air through the Cherubini facility, as opposed to exhausting it outside, was viewed favorably as it would provide a healthy work environment while saving the company substantial energy costs. Based on Parker’s recommendation, Cherubini chose to install 10 SmogHog SG-4S mist/fume collection units with automated in-place cleaning.
SmogHogs, using electrostatic precipitators (ESP) technology, are highly efficient, heavy-duty air cleaning devices that remove smoke, fumes, dust and coolant mist from the air stream. In open-air applications, like the Cherubini facility, multiple units are installed in a pattern that circulates the air from unit to unit in a circular- racetrack- configuration.
ESP works by electronically charging both visible and microscopic contaminants and capturing them like a magnet in collection cells. Operating continuously, ESP units will then circulate clean air back into the plant.
Results
Cherubini’s SmogHog systems re-circulate clean air throughout the facility, they also reduce exhaust make-up requirements by up to 80%. The air is recycled into the workspace, saving the company thousands of dollars a year in heating costs during the cold winter months. Maintenance is minimal. In Cherubini’s case, the 10 SmogHog SG-4S units are cleaned via an automatic wash system, depending on weld work volume.
“I continue to purchase SmogHog electrostatic precipitators because they are effective...and meet all local air quality and occupational health and safety requirements. And, because building heat is too expensive to waste.”
— Renato Gasperetto, vice president of Cherubini Metal Works Ltd.
Attending the 2020 AHR Expo?
The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year.
Visit Parker at the AHR Expo in Orlando, booth 2525, FL February 3 - 5 and learn about our climate control and filtration solutions for improved air quality wherever you work.
Article contributed by the Filtration Team.
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Our sense of taste is changing. We’re becoming more health conscious of the foods and beverages we consume to living a better life. No more perplexing and hard-to-pronounce food labels. Rather, simplicity rules the day as consumers seek transparency in knowing the ingredients going into the products they eat and drink. Simple does not discount sophistication though. The demand is present for high-quality foods that are healthy, sustainable and of course, appease the tastebuds.
So then, what does this all mean? Food and beverage companies have to think differently about infrastructure and plant operations to satisfy evolving appetites, from processed foods to healthier options. Manufacturing processes need to be structured to support plant-based foods and successfully manage fresh and short shelf-life products that do not contain artificial preservations or ingredients. This involves a fundamental shift in how food is produced, from shifting operating models to investing in new technology, to bring healthier, fresher foods and beverages to market.
The food manufacturing industry is highly competitive. In the United States alone, there are 27,000 organizations, generating annual revenue of nearly $790 billion. Being operational efficient to produce and distribute a complete, desirable and quality product while staying mindful of consumer tastes and nutritional trends ensures business longevity and its place among competitors.
This is no easy feat. There are many challenges and obstacles unique to the industry, including government guidance and regulations, food and beverage safety standards, extremely elaborate food processing machinery and sanitation equipment, and supply chain and logistical difficulties. In return, organizations may be reluctant to make changes and bring aboard new technologies, as this may be assumed as digital disruption, causing roadblocks in the form of production downtime and maintenance costs.
Improve product quality through condition monitoring
Adapting new technologies and processes will be a necessity for food and beverage. The integration of innovative applications, advanced equipment and better automation translates to an improved product (in regards to food taste and safety), an increase in productivity and efficiency, and reducing unscheduled machine downtime.
How can these initiatives be achieved while producing a superior product? The food and beverage manufacturing sector has the tendency to be late adapters of digital trends. However, the affordability of technologies coupled with improved software tools creates a compelling case for implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. And the course of action to establish sound machines is with condition monitoring.
Simply put, condition monitoring is the process of observing the parameter of conditions in machinery and equipment (temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration, etc.) in order to identify performance anomalies during operation. Over time, these indicators of equipment and system health will become easier to predict, allowing for the appropriate measures to resolving issues before escalating into serious complications and resulting in machine downtime.
Implementing a condition monitoring solutionCondition monitoring is achieved through sensors and software that is constantly capturing a variety of data points that can be utilized to monitor the health of an asset. For example, Parker’s SensoNODE™ Gold sensors and Voice of the Machine™ Cloud Software provide continuous condition monitoring of equipment. Together, they work in coherence to monitor temperature, humidity, pressure, current and vibration. These are critical parameters to measure in the food and beverage plants in establishing food safety.
SensoNODE Gold sensors can be attached anywhere on a machine, even in the most difficult-to-reach locations, transmitting real-time measurements to the Voice of the Machine Cloud web-based platform that allows viewing data 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection. Workers can monitor asset conditions and changes among the different processes to identify abnormalities and resolve those issues through simple, wireless monitoring. This prevents unnecessary production downtime and costs associated with maintenance and repairs.
Voice of the Machine web-based solution presents data through easy-to-understand dashboards and provides notifications when measurement thresholds are exceeded. A user-friendly interface makes connecting sensors uncomplicated and measurements easy-to-read. Exporting of data is done with a click of one button, which sends a CSV file right to your email. The wealth of data collected can be leveraged to tweak existing processes, establish new systems, cut maintenance costs, increase product output, and utlimately increase the bottom line.
SensoNODE Gold Sensors and Voice of the Machine Software create a touch free experience, as up-to-date machine measurements are available to be viewed via an internet connection. Whether on the plant floor or out of the office, workers can monitor and analyze data from multiple assets and get alerts of deviations, which ensures continuous productivity, increased efficiency and eliminates downtime that improves the overall bottom line.
Contact Parker today to see how its SensoNODE sensors and Voice of the Machine software can improve condition monitoring for your food and beverage operations.
Article contributed by Westin Siemsglusz, IoT market sales manager, Parker Hannifin.
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Starting from agriculture and food processing arriving to the packaging operation, automation is everywhere in the modern food plants and plays a fundamental role to address the required control movement quality, production speed, labour savings and overall profitability. Especially for food zones and wash areas, where there are multiple national and international standards to take into account and frequent cleaning and sanitising cycles to support, pneumatics offers a cost-effective choice. Applications in food production typically require specific certification for air motors, pneumatic cylinders and other associated equipment and special clean design features that minimize entrapment points for bacteria.
Environmental challenges
Food production environments necessitate frequent wash-downs of the work area, which can lead to damage to static and dynamic gaskets and seals. Constant exposure to damp and the caustic sprays of hydrogen peroxide and other cleaning materials used in wash-down cycles can eat away at unprotected materials. These environmental challenges have made stainless steel the most commonly used material for all food processing applications. Although stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum, it can resist the steam, high pressure water and caustic cleaners often used in food and beverage production. Parker P1VAS air motor and planetary reduction gear for example is built into a polished stainless housing that is sealed by a fluorocarbon rubber O-ring. The output shaft, which is made of polished stainless steel, is also sealed by a fluorocarbon rubber seal and thanks to the cylindrical shape, there are no pockets that can accumulate dirt or bacteria.
No matter which component is being specified, it’s critical to understand the details of the food processing application and what is required - such as pressure, temperature, flow, port sizes, configurations and locations. Too often, filters or valves are chosen based on cost or size alone, forcing maintenance personnel to spend extra time on maintenance as a result of the system designer’s less than optimal choice. Longevity and repeatability are basic requirements for any good pneumatic solution. The choice should be made on products that have been thoroughly tested and designed to withstand the toughest conditions for operation, vibration and impact.
The accessories and options for pneumatic components are frequently neglected, so it’s important to ensure the entire product can withstand the environment where it will operate to avoid forcing maintenance personnel to waste time replacing parts. For example, the adjustment knob or T-handle of a typical regulator is made of a composite material. The caustic chemicals used in wash-down can corrode many types of plastic, so in addition to a stainless steel regulator, the knob should be made of stainless steel or other compatible material.
Filter-regulator options such as tapped manual drains or automatic stainless-steel drains are widely used to get rid of excess liquid and prevent water from draining onto the floor. Look for non-relieving regulators that do not release gases or liquid into the atmosphere. Whenever possible, select pre-lubricated or lubrication-free mechanisms that use food-grade grease and don’t require periodic lubrication.
Although some pneumatic valves meet NEMA protection standards or IEC/IP ratings, most are designed to be mounted in an enclosure to protect them during wash-downs. Check the design of this enclosure for any crevices between the valves and subplate or manifold bases and other non-smooth surfaces that can harbor bacteria. For those who use serial communications with their valves, these electronics also require protection.
Components that require lubricated compressed air or periodic manual lubrication should be avoided when working in food processing to minimize the risk of product contamination. Lubricant in the compressed air can collect near exhaust ports, and manually applied lubricant can spill onto or collect on multiple components.
Using dry air in non-lubricated applications is critical; condensation can corrode system components, increasing maintenance costs and reducing system efficiency. Also, unless distribution air lines are made of stainless steel, aluminum, or high-strength plastic, water can create pipe scale that can work its way into components and cause malfunctions. Water is a poor lubricant; when emulsified with residual compressor oils, it becomes a milky substance that must be drained away. In addition, there should never be any contact with synthetic emulsions in food processing. Dry, filtered, non-lubricated air usually eliminates these issues.
Learn more
Find out more information about P1VAS air motors in this video.
This article was contributed by Franck Roussilon, product manager, Pneumatic Division Europe, Parker Hannifin Corporation.
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Is your manufacturing plant's compressed air purity validated? Perhaps the methods you are employing to check the purity or quality of the air in your facility are only indicative? Is there a difference?
The answer to this last question is, yes. There is a difference, and it matters in how companies present their capabilities and quality.
Here, we will discuss the standard that defines the sampling methodology and equipment that must be employed in order to present compressed air purity (quality) as validated. We will also learn the relevance of practices that are indicative of the compressed air quality and differentiate them from those that present complete validation.
Validation - ISO compressed air purity standards
The ISO 8573 Series has been the international standard for compressed air purity (quality) since 1991. It is used to define the quality of compressed air used for a variety of applications across manufacturing industries worldwide. The standard is segmented into nine distinct parts.
Beginning with ISO 8573-1, users are provided a method of classification with specific contamination types and limits defined. This method is employed by compressed air users to select the treatment equipment that they will need in order to produce certain air quality. In kind, ISO 8573-1 is used by compressed air treatment equipment manufacturers to define the quality of compressed air delivered by their products and systems.
But in order to claim compressed air purity is actually validated, users and manufacturers must go beyond IS0 8573-1 to the remaining eight standards, as shown in the above illustration. ISO 8573 parts 2 through 9 have been developed to provide the most accurate measurement of the main contaminants found in a compressed air system. In the standards, the user is presented with the equipment and methodology that must be employed to accurately test and claim validation. It offers specifics for the accurate measurement of common compressed air contamination — solid particles, water vapor and total oil — as well as contamination of specific interest to certain industries, like microbial contamination in food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing applications.
Indicative testing
Indicative testing is basically purity and quality testing that is performed in a manner that is not carried out in accordance with ISO 8573 parts 2 thru 9. If the ISO standard is not followed, a company cannot claim validation on the levels of certain contaminants in their compressed air supply.
While indicative testing can not be used for validation purposes, it still can provide valuable information to compressed air users. It may satisfy that some air quality testing is conducted, required in certain industries. It remains, however, important for the users to understand the limits of the testing equipment and methodologies it employs. The chart below offers an overview of commonly available test equipment used for indicative testing of compressed air systems.
Examples of indicative testing
Performance validated compressed air treatment equipment
The cost and complexity of testing and validating compressed air purity in accordance with ISO standards can be prohibitive. Therefore, products that are third party validated are an attractive option.
Parker Hannifin Corporation, a leader in compressed air treatment, offers a complete range of products with 3rd party validated performance. These state-of-the-art components and systems are backed by an air quality guarantee.
The Parker OIL-X range of compressed air filters and Parker adsorption dryer ranges have been designed to provide compressed air purity (quality) that meets or exceeds every classification shown in all editions of ISO 8573-1. Filtration and dryer performance has also been independently 3rd party verified by Lloyds Register.
This article was contributed by Mark White, compressed air treatment applications manager, Parker Gas Separation and Filtration Division EMEA
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Hose repair has never been so easy with ParkerStore HOSE DOCTOR.
Ever wonder what you might do if your backhoe, tractor, dump, plow or any other hydraulic equipment stops working. If you don't know what the problem is, and it might be related to hose failure that’s when you call a ParkerStore HOSE DOCTOR – a skilled hydraulics technician, on-call 24/7, who is ready to help you get back to work.
Limit the interruption of a break and let us bring the solution to you with our mobile, hose repair solution. Trained professionals come to your site with fully stocked trucks to identify, diagnose and replace hose assemblies on hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Plus they're available anytime, day or night, for any of your service and repair needs.
Get the equipment, hose assembly repair and professional advice you need, so that your downtime doesn’t last a long time. Plus, ParkerStore HOSE DOCTOR is backed by our global network, so we're ready when and where you need us with over 1,000 vehicles around the world. Find a ParkerStore HOSE DOCTOR nearest you or call 1-866-550-HOSE.
Post contributed by:
Suzanne Favri, digital marketing specialist
Global Distribution & Sales Services, Parker Hannifin
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Manufacturing and operations professionals are focused on how to deploy maintenance strategies that will provide advantages to their operations on a global scale. Advanced digital and analytical technologies are reinventing the rules of manufacturer competition, how work will be performed and what leaders must do to lead. Whether you call it Industry 4.0, Manufacturing 4.01 or the Connected Factory, what’s taking place presents a remarkable opportunity for industrial OEMs.
So what does the “back-of-the-house” maintenance function have to do with such big picture, strategic changes? Everything.
As manufacturers work to identify, adopt and scale enabling technologies – such as smart machines, the Internet of Things, Big Data, plant floor analytics, mobile computers, the cloud, and collaborative robotics – maintenance will of necessity be redefined and transformed.
Leveraging these enabling technologies will allow maintenance to improve efficiency, cost, and performance on the factory floor, which in turn can create a competitive advantage. But beyond that, enabled maintenance can become a new and different revenue stream for the OEM portion of manufacturing.
Download the white paper, Four Strategies for Making Maintenance Your Competitive Advantage to improve factory efficiency and effectively gain your competitive advantage.
Create your maintenance competitive advantage by adding unique value
But how do today’s manufacturers get from here to there? How do they use these new data and computing tools to go from reactive maintenance – repairing machines that are broken – to proactive or predictive maintenance – monitoring for future equipment failure and performing maintenance before failure occurs?
Four pillars to building a world-class maintenance strategy
1. Establish a preventive maintenance program
Despite all the talk about predictive maintenance, the reality is that for many U.S. manufacturers, up to 90 percent of the maintenance they perform still is conducted on a reactive rather than proactive basis. The bottom line? Unplanned, or reactive maintenance typically costs three to nine times more than planned maintenance.
If this is how your company operates, establishing a preventive maintenance (PM) program is your first step to building a world-class maintenance strategy. An added bonus- the savings generated by a successful PM program can go a long way to making your company a maintenance hero.
2. Invest in technology
Technology investment is a must for a world-class maintenance strategy. One of the first purchases to consider is a Computerized Maintenance Monitoring System (CMMS). This is software that allows your maintenance people to keep a record of the assets they service, schedule and track maintenance tasks, and record completed work.
By utilizing a CMMS, your operation will benefit from:
Fewer work outages with preventive maintenance.
Less overtime due to better scheduling.
Better accountability through task completion alerts.
Information capture facilitating a record of problems and specific solutions by machine.
Documented assets and performance, helping managers analyze energy usage and plan maintenance spend.
Another must for maintenance investment? Smart sensors, a critical part of a larger IoT system, connect devices and systems, allowing machines to talk to one another. This enables manufacturers to move from Preventive Maintenance--where maintenance is scheduled routinely--to Predictive Maintenance (PdM), where maintenance is performed as needed based on data foreshadowing.
3. Create a safer, more effective work environment
Machine efficiency is one thing; human efficiency is another. A world-class maintenance strategy cannot afford to ignore the people servicing the machines. A safer, cleaner work environment improves morale.
Why should you care? A happier workforce takes pride in its work and produces higher quality work. That means you have your best people on the job, driving towards your deadline. Not only that: motivated employees miss less work and are more willing to work with others to achieve goals.
But happy workers are not the same as effective workers. Maintenance thought leaders suggest that maintenance belongs side-by-side with production, purchasing, engineering and logistics as an equal player in the business resource planning process. This allows maintenance to have a voice in improving the operational effectiveness of the plant. By helping improve asset productivity, maintenance becomes a competitive advantage for the business, which also adds stature to the department and builds the respect of its people.
It’s easy to keep doing things the way you’ve always done them. But that won’t position your company to take advantage of the manufacturing renaissance underway.
4. Get management buy-in
You can’t build a world-class maintenance strategy without management buy-in and commitment. The maintenance vision may be yours, but the decision to fund and support that vision is theirs.
Without having that top-level support, any initiative launched will be as effective as pushing on a rope.
In order to create a connected factory, today’s leaders are looking for new structures, strategies, and skillsets for tomorrow’s workforce. It’s their job to orchestrate far-reaching change; it’s your job to present and sell the change that will work best for your operation.
Productivity gains in the factory become essential
Despite the promise of a technological renaissance, demand for manufactured products is off. OEMs who are open to new ideas that improve the efficiency, cost, and performance of factories – such as creating a world-class maintenance strategy – will set themselves apart.
Download the white paper, Four Strategies for Making Maintenance Your Competitive Advantage for the critical details on these strategies, and steps to effectively enable your company to gain that competitive advantage.
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Thanks to our loyal followers for all of the interest in the topics covered in this blog over the past year. In examining the most-read blog posts over the course of 2019, it becomes obvious that there is quite a diversity of products under the electromechanical umbrella, but the common threads of precision, innovation and purpose tie them all together.
Thought leadership
Energy savings, an important initiative for now and the future, was highlighted in two top posts: 5 Reasons to Control Your Compressor With a VFD and How VFD Technology on Hydraulic Power Units Helps Improve Performance.
The new and rapidly growing field of mobile electrification was covered in Series Hybrid Vehicle System Design.
Providing advice for selecting the right components for a great system was found in three posts:
Selecting The Right Drive Train Technology for 3D Systems
Struggling To Find the Right Encoder Feedback
Putting It All Together: Choosing a Fastening Method
Social engagement
2019 saw some impressive growth in social media interaction. Our most popular platform remains the Parker Electromechanical Technology Showcase on LinkedIn, which attracted many new followers in the past year. Popular posts covered a variety of topics including motorcycle racing, featuring an electric bike powered by our GVM motor, participation in a number of industry trade shows including our first Cybershow, and shared content from our Parker Distributors. Please follow us and feel free to share and comment - and don't forget, we are also on Twitter @ParkerElectro.
New products
The past year also included some new product announcements, like extended power range for the AC30 VFD, now available through 600 HP, new PAC and PACIO accessories, and most recently the availability of the ACR7000 multi-axis motion controller.
Parker sees its purpose as a platform for growth, change and positive impact to the world. As we enter 2020, watch for more new innovative solutions from the Electromechanical & Drives team as we focus on these values and on engineering your success.
This article was contributed by Lou Lambruschi, marketing services manager, Electromechanical Division, Parker Hannifin Corporation.
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The Four Seasons Boston Hotel is located in a 13-story structure situated in the heart of historic Boston, Massachusetts. This prestigious hotel group dedicates itself to the highest quality of service and dining for its visitors. Parker provided the solution the Four Seasons Boston Hotel needed to improve air quality for its guests and neighbors. As part of continuing its reputation as one of Boston’s best restaurants, the hotel needed to eliminate cooking odors, smoke and grease emissions.
Challenge
Smoke and grease emissions were becoming a growing concern for guests, employees and neighbors. So while renovating, Four Seasons saw the need for a state-of-the-art kitchen emissions system that would remove hazardous pollutants and also fit its structural requirements. With its urban location, the Four Seasons Boston Hotel needed a system to clean the air exhausted into the neighborhood. Since Four Seasons serves guests 24 hours a day, the hotel restaurant required a system with minimal downtime for cleaning. Space for the unit and connecting ductwork were also issues. Four Seasons needed the unit to connect to their existing maintenance system without adding a lot of ductwork. In addition, the system had to comply with federal, state and local standards.
Solution
Parker evaluated the Four Seasons Boston Hotel and customized a SmogHog® PSG to fit all their needs. The SmogHog kitchen emissions system uses electrostatic precipitation technology to filter odors and electrically charge contaminants. The PSG then captures contaminants like a magnet onto aluminum collection plates. For maintenance, the system is programmed to shut down for one hour each day for a self-cleaning cycle, allowing Four Seasons to serve its customers day and night. Additionally, the PSG was custom-designed to fit the hotel’s unique space requirements by connecting the kitchen emissions unit to the facility’s existing energy maintenance system and the ductwork from the parking garage to the roof. It only consumed five parking spaces while eliminating expensive and space-consuming ductwork.
For more details on PSG Series Kitchen Emission Systems, check out the ebrochure.
Results
Parker's Smog-Hog PSG removed odors, smoke and grease emissions so that only clean air was released into the hotel and outdoors. With this new system, Four Seasons now emits cleaner air for its neighboring citizens and businesses. The new system also brought the hotel in compliance with local, state and federal environmental standards. The design was ideal for Four Seasons because Parker was able to work within the hotel’s unique space limitations and customize a system to fit every need.
The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year.
Visit Parker at the AHR Expo in Orlando, booth 2525, FL February 3 - 5 and learn about our climate control and filtration solutions.
For additional information on SmogHog Kitchen Emission Control Systems, please visit our website.
This article was contributed by the Filtration Team.
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The Sandia Resort and Casino opened to great anticipation. The Indian gaming operation’s new property in Albuquerque, New Mexico featured multiple dining options, a huge casino and over 200 sleeping rooms. A truly gorgeous destination, the resort promised a luxurious and relaxing getaway to its guests.
But shortly after it opened, the Resort faced a challenge that could seriously impact its image and reputation. When reports of kitchen fumes and smoke in guest rooms came to the attention of management, they grew very concerned and immediately investigated the cause and a solution.
The Sandia Resort and Casino operated their kitchens on a nearly 24/7 basis in order to serve their thriving business. While the kitchens were equipped with exhaust fans and grease catchers, reports of kitchen fumes and smoke began pouring in from guests. There was also criticism that the fans detracted from the resort's appearance, as they were in plain sight of the guests. In order to address the problem, the Resort contacted Parker. They asked Parker to review their needs and design a custom solution. They advised Parker that they wanted a robust system, using the most advanced technology to remove the pollutants from the air. In addition, it was important that the system blend in with the resort’s structure and aesthetics. They knew this would be a challenge, given the high altitude and limited space on the roof. They also knew the system had to be compliant with local, state and federal standards. The Resort management felt assured that Parker, with its deep expertise and technology, would be able to provide them with a solution.
The solution
The hotel management and the Pueblo of Sandia Tribal Council contacted Parker because of the manufacturer’s strong reputation and successful work with other restaurants experiencing similar problems. After a thorough review of the existing emissions collection systems as well as the desired improvements to be made, Parker introduced the hotel team and Tribal Council to SmogHog® PSG fume collectors. They recommended that the hotel install eleven custom-designed SmogHog systems to address their needs. Parker worked with the onsite facilities staff to optimize the designs for each kitchen.
How SmogHog works
The SmogHog kitchen emission system uses electrostatic precipitation technology (ESP) to filter odors and electrically charge contaminants, which are then captured onto aluminum collection plates.
SmogHogs are self-cleaning, eliminating the need for costly filter replacements. The self-cleaning cycle was scheduled at a convenient time to prevent interruptions to guest services. In addition, SmogHog uses existing hot water supplies, presenting the savings associated with having to source and pay for additional resources.
System design
Parker designed the SmogHog to fit into space and aesthetic requirements. The units were configured to fit the roof’s unique design and weight limit, as well as accessibility. They were also painted to adhere to the color scheme of the facade. All of this was done within the requirements of the structural code.
Results
Parker was successful in meeting the Sandia Resort and Casino’s needs with SmogHog technology:
“SmogHog is an excellent product ... While our original exhaust fans were working to some extent, they weren’t nearly as effective as the SmogHogs. These new units allow our HVAC team to concentrate on other areas, as wash cycles and operations are all computerized. The HVAC staff only needs to perform routine maintenance and exchange cleaning solution once a month. These units have shown to be low maintenance and have already provided savings in labor costs compared to the old exhaust fans. The additional savings have been in these units not requiring monthly filter changes".
— Mark Cuzzola, facilities manager, Sandia Resort and Casino
“The Council wanted results, and to date, they have been exceptional. Since installing the SmogHogs, there have been zero complaints from guests ... The systems clean all the exhaust, and only fresh clean air is exhausted ... Not only was the Parker Hannifin team very attentive and great to work with, they helped us come up with a tailored solution that does exactly what we need it to.”
— Paul Collins, superintendent of facilities, Sandia Resort and Casino
The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year.
Visit Parker at the AHR Expo in Orlando, booth 2525, FL February 3 - 5 and learn about our climate control and filtration solutions.
Article contributed by the Filtration team.
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The oil used to lubricate the cylinders of large 2-stroke marine diesel engines has to contend with high temperatures and acidic products formed during the combustion of sulphur-rich bunker oils.
Cylinder oil is used on a continuous loss basis. In recent times ship operators have taken to running engines at reduced speeds (so-called slow steaming) as a means of improving fuel consumption.
Unfortunately, slow steaming is accompanied by a drop in engine temperature which allows acid to build up on the cylinder liners thereby promoting their “cold corrosion”. The iron compounds formed by this process are then flushed from the engine by the cylinder oil. This leads to excessive liner wear, requiring expensive replacement. The iron found in used cylinder oil samples typically exists in various forms, each one having its own particular properties. For example, metallic iron particles worn off the cylinder liner by cat fines exhibit strong ferromagnetism and may be detected. There are cold corrosion test kits to aid in this condition monitoring process.
Performing cold corrosion test
Step 1
First, fill both sample vials to the five-millilitre graduation line with Reagent One.
Step 2
Prepare your cylinder scrape down oil sample with some gentle agitation for approximately 30 seconds. Using the syringe, add 0.2-millilitres of the sample to each of the cuvettes.
Step 3
Step 4
Leave for four and a half minutes for the layers to settle out.
Step 5
Insert the color wheel into the
Place the cuvette containing Reagent Two into the centermost slot and the cuvette with Reagent Three into the anterior-most slot.
Step 6
Step 7
Read the concentration figure in PPM directly from the wheel.
Watch the video to follow along with the steps:
Please visit parker.com/kittiwake for more information.
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In October 2019, Parker announced a new purpose statement that defines its unique contribution to the world. The simple expression: Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow, is the culmination of months of research and team member input and refinement. To bring the purpose to life, the company has developed a Parker Purpose website and a signature video.
Historically, Parker has talked about what we do and how we do it, but really what was missing is why we do things. Why do we exist? What are those unique contributions that only Parker can do for the world?
“We see this as our opportunity to more effectively speak about why we exist. We’re not changing our direction, we’re defining it. Our purpose is a reflection of our culture, which remains vibrant after more than a century. By aligning ourselves around a defined purpose today, we will be better positioned for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”
Tom Williams, Parker's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Parker sees its purpose as a platform for growth, change and positive impact
The combination of focusing on purpose, the company’s values and the Win Strategy is expected to accelerate Parker’s transformation, drive top quartile performance and deliver returns to shareholders.
Williams added, “Our purpose provides inspiration and direction for our team members, and highlights how we can strengthen our communities and have a positive impact on the world. As we look to the future, changes in how people live, developments in technology and dynamic markets depend on a partner that advances modern progress. Parker is that partner.”
After more than a century of experience serving its customers, Parker is often called to the table for the collaborations that help to solve the most complex engineering challenges and bring their breakthrough ideas to light. From fuel inerting filtration technology that keeps aircraft safe in the skies and high-pressure couplings that provide life-saving oxygen to firefighters, to fluid controls for life extending medical equipment.
Breakthroughs that make the world smarter, safer and more efficient would not be possible without Parker technologies. The company’s broad and diverse range of hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical, filtration, process control, climate control, fluid and gas handling and engineered materials technologies support advancements in a wide range of aerospace, industrial and mobile equipment applications.
Defining the company’s purpose puts an important emphasis on Parker team members
“Our team members enable the breakthroughs that make the world work better,” added Williams. “We solve customers’ complex challenges so they can make the world a better place. We design systems, we manufacture quality products safely, we support each other in our daily work, we help our communities thrive. Every day, all of our team members have a role to play in helping to improve the lives of people everywhere.”
Tom Williams discusses Parker's Purpose Statement:
Across its global locations, Parker operates responsibly and safely, and through giving and volunteering, plays its part in advancing math and science education, addressing the needs of its communities and achieving sustainability goals.
Learn more about Parker's purpose by downloading our Leading with Purpose book.
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ISO (International Standards Organization) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards. There are three ISO standards that relate to compressed air quality and testing — ISO8573 Series, ISO12500 Series, and ISO7183 Series. The most commonly used standard is the ISO8573 Series, in particular, ISO8573-1:2010.
ISO8573 is the group of international standards relating to the quality (or purity) of compressed air. There are nine parts to the standard. ISO8573-1 (part 1) is the most commonly used and relates to quality classifications for compressed air. Parts 2 - 9 specify methods of testing for a range of contaminants.
Here, we will discuss six essential factors to consider when using the ISO8573 Series Part 1 to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of air treatment in your industrial manufacturing facility.
1. Understanding the air purity classification tables
ISO8573-1 contains air purity classification tables that will provide you with guidance that specifies the minimum air purity required at each usage point, based on the types of contaminants you may seek to remove: solid particulate, water and total oil. See figure 1. From this table you can:
Figure 1 - Combined ISO8573-1 Table
In the ISO8573-1 table, compressed air contaminants are grouped as solid particulate, water and total oil. There are various degrees of each of these contaminants itemized to help in the selection of an appropriate combination of levels, based on your usage. These combinations are referred to as purity classes. When using ISO8573-1 to define the air purity required, it should be written in the following way:
Below is an example of an air purity specification:
ISO8573-1:2010 Class 1:2:1
Based on figure 1, this air purity specification would specify Class 1 particulate levels not to exceed 20,000 particles in the 0.1 to 0.5 micron size range, with additional levels at other particle sizes; Class 2 water levels identifying a pressure dewpoint (PDP) of -40 degrees Celsius, and Class 3 oil of no more than 0.01 mg of total oil.
3. Facts and myths of ISO8573-1 Class 0
In 2010, ISO8573-1 was updated with the inclusion of Class 0 to the three contaminants. See figure 2. Class 0 was introduced as a “customizable” specification that users and equipment manufacturers could use to identify a specific air quality that would be more stringent than Class 1. This has led to certain misrepresentations or myths. These include:
The following are the important facts to remember:
Figure 2. 2010 Classification Table (combined)
4. Which ISO8573-1 revision should I use?
Of the three revisions — 1991, 2001, and 2010 — 2010 should be used when specifying a new system or upgrading a new system. However, if a previous revision has been used to specific purity levels, it is acceptable to continue using it, noting that changes in contamination levels require different purity equipment.
Parker, for example, offers a range of purification equipment that allows the user to specify the quality of compressed air for every application, from general-purpose ring main protection, through to critical clean dry air (CDA) point of use systems. Parker has comprehensive ranges of purification equipment available to exactly match system requirements, ensuring both capital and operational costs are kept to a minimum. Figure 3 provides an overview of Parker purification equipment required to meet or exceed the ISO8573-1:2010 classifications.
Figure 3. Overview of Parker purification equipment that meets or exceeds ISO8573-1:2010 classifications
Identify the quality of compressed air required for your system. Note that each point in the system may require a different quality, depending on the application. Refer your supplier to the quality classifications shown in ISO8573-1.
6. Cost-effective system design
To maximize the return on investment in purification equipment, it is recommended that compressed air is treated for plant distribution in the compressor room to meet the broad needs of the facility. Point of use purification should also be employed with specific attention to the air quality required at each application. This approach assures the air is not over-treated and provides a cost-effective solution to high quality compressed air. Figure 4 shows an example of general purpose air with oil-free air for critical applications.
Figure 4. General Purpose Air with Oil-Free Air for Critical Applications
This article was contributed by Mark White, compressed air treatment applications manager, Parker Gas Separation and Filtration Division EMEA
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Parker’s products and systems can be found on and around almost everything that moves, and improving efficiency throughout the product lifecycle represents an important opportunity to minimize environmental impact while creating significant value for customers.
Parker’s 2018 Sustainability Report explains how, among the company’s most important innovations introduced in the past decade, each achieved success by providing customers tangible and compelling value. In many cases, these new solutions created significant improvements in environmental and societal sustainability by minimizing manufacturing waste and reducing the use of energy. Such accomplishments are driven by reductions in weight, increases in efficiency, improvements to safety and the elimination of unnecessary features. When correctly applied, industrial innovation drives strong financial performance and creates a lasting, positive impact on the world.
Throughout its history Parker has been fortunate to partner with world-class suppliers who share a commitment not only to a premier customer experience and maintaining the highest standards for quality and reliability, but to reducing resource consumption and waste. With an annual supplier spend exceeding $7 billion, continuing to improve the supply chain in these areas of focus will enable Parker to significantly reduce its global footprint and improve the resilience of its suppliers.
Parker has been a proud member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership since 2013. This program helps Parker identify technologies and strategies to reduce carbon emissions, track its progress and set goals to reduce fuel consumption and improve the efficiency of freight transport. Parker has also achieved a high Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) supply chain rating, measuring against 5,000 other companies taking action to support a sustainable economy.
For three years Barbara Lam, a senior principal engineer at the Control Systems Division of Parker Aerospace, donated her time and company-sponsored resources to help make the Walnut Solar Car Team possible. The team consists of high school students from the local school district in Walnut, California and each year they travel to Fort Worth, Texas to showcase and race solar-powered cars that they worked on together to design and build, learning valuable hands-on lessons about science and mathematics.
Barbara unexpectedly passed away on January 3, 2018 and her family, friends, coworkers and students were shocked and saddened by her passing. Her passion for supporting the Walnut Solar Car Team reflects the kindness and generosity for which Barbara will be remembered, and the many students in which she helped instill a life-long enthusiasm for engineering will continue to serve as a testament to her remarkable life.
Parker nitrogen filtration systems are used in many ways, from the preservation of grocery produce to improving the safety of commercial aviation. The latest application of this technology relates to a beverage that is coveted by millions of people each morning - coffee. For coffee shops across the country, the CN-6 delivers highly purified nitrogen used to improve the taste and consistency of cold brew, an alternative to traditional hot coffee that has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years.
Earth’s atmosphere is approximately 78% nitrogen, and the CN-6 draws air directly through a special membrane with nano-sized holes to separate oxygen from the smaller nitrogen molecules. Nitrogen is non-flammable and extremely inert so it won’t react with anything in the environment.
By offering nitrogen on-demand, the system also improves safety as delivery truck drivers, coffee shop employees and customers are not exposed to any risks associated with handling liquid nitrogen. For the environment, this means less wasted energy producing mass quantities of liquid nitrogen and eliminating vehicle emissions from transporting it to the many locations where it is used.
LEAP Engine Fuel Nozzle
There are few more visible sources of combustion than a jet aircraft. Modern jet engines are the cleanest-burning, most efficient means of transportation available today. When CFM International set out to make a better version of the CFM56 engine, more of which have been produced than all other types of jet engines combined, they chose the Parker-GE joint venture Advanced Atomization Technologies to develop the all-important TAPS fuel injection system.
CFM International’s new LEAP engine offers a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency, or an average savings of 90 miles/gallon per passenger, which is approximately 66% less fuel than a person would use if they decided to drive instead. One of the secrets to that incredible performance is the TAPS fuel injection system, which mixes air and fuel together so perfectly that the engine can extract unprecedented amounts of energy as it consumes fuel, enabling the aircraft to travel farther and produce fewer emissions for each gallon burned.
An efficient engine is also a hotter engine, and that heat must be managed by any engine system. It must keep the fuel cool enough to prevent it from breaking down before it is injected into the engine to prevent potential damage to the fuel injectors. The TAPS system incorporates many proprietary features that enable optimum performance in the LEAP environment.
The LEAP engine is now achieving the most rapid order build in the history of commercial aviation, enabling countless passengers to travel more affordably and with a smaller environmental impact than ever.
Low Drag D-ring
From sports cars and sedans to pickup trucks and vans, the number of passenger and commercial vehicles on the road continues to grow each year, so even incremental improvements to their performance can have a significant environmental impact. Two of the leading U.S. automobile manufacturers have introduced creative solutions that increase efficiency including lightweight construction, highly efficient engines and improved transmissions.
One factor to increase transmission efficiency is a new Low Drag D-Ring developed by Parker, a modification of an existing O-ring design that helps to reduce drag and improve shifting smoothness and fuel efficiency. Used on more than 30 different vehicle platforms, each transmission assembly contains 37 Low Drag D-Rings accounting for approximately 90% of the seals within it. This advancement in transmission design is helping manufacturers to meet stringent government fuel efficiency mandates and improve the driving experience.
To learn more, download the sustainability report.
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Parker Hannifin believes that creating a better tomorrow for everyone begins with a commitment to positively impacting the lives of our team members and the communities we call home. Our culture is focused on operating responsibly and safely, and while we’re focused on reliably producing aircraft systems and components that enable engineering breakthroughs, Parker believes that responsible operations also means giving and volunteering. Helping promote math and science education makes Parker and our communities stronger, and so does spending time to help make an impact in the areas where we live and work.
As an operating group of Parker with 23 manufacturing facilities, Parker Aerospace connects and protects our world by advancing the future of flight. While as an organization we’re developing advanced technologies to make aircraft safer and more reliable, we’re also 7,500 team members who are individually engaged in making the world a better place.
With Parker’s commitment to giving back and corporate social responsibility, our employees have been busy this holiday season to make an impact where they live. There have been other activities at the other facilities that are not listed, these are a sampling of the activities starting in November 2019.
The Together We Serve team from our Fluid Systems Division (FSD) was last spotted wearing their team’s red shirts at the amazing South County Outreach food pantry, where the food donations were overflowing. Parker team members ran a food drive, and donated five barrels full of food to the local organization this fall. All donations received will be offered to Orange County families in need.
To further assist the South County Outreach center, the Together We Serve team stepped up to help by sending 17 team members to the organization’s facility on November 23rd. Their mission was to sort and check expiration dates on the many foods received in the food drive. One of Parker’s team leaders, Cindy Valdez, brought her granddaughter, Desirea Valdez, along to help. Desirea (age 12) said she had not realized before that there are so many people in need of food in our community.
FSD’s Together We Serve team is an ongoing initiative at the division that supports community service projects. More information is available in other blogs about the team’s charter and their activities in the first half of this year.
For the last two years, the Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division (AWBD) has worked with the Salvation Army in Lorain, Ohio, to provide gifts for local families. This year, AWB supported 75 “angels” and provided toys and clothing to share the holiday spirit with the less fortunate children of Lorain County. Prior to working with the Salvation Army, AWB adopted families through the division’s local city schools (Avon) through the Share a Holiday program for more than ten years.
Additionally, this year Parker Aerospace’s Fluid Systems Division (FSD) joined with AWBD to support a request that the Salvation Army had for blankets. The two divisions joined forces to raise money for this donation project and was able to supply 95 total blankets! The order was placed through Kohl’s, who didn’t have enough stock locally and had to send the blankets from distribution points all over the United States!
Peer W southern California hub collects work clothes donations
The southern California hub of an internal Parker initiative called Peer W collected gently used work clothes donations for WISEPlace. WISEPlace is located in Santa Ana, California, and stands for Women Inspired Supported Empowered, and helps provide a community of housing and hope for women in need.
The 140+ pieces of clothing that were collected will be used to support women as they go on interviews, and once they start new jobs. Previous to this donation, Parker had made a $5,000 charitable donation to WISEPlace. Vice President of Program & Contract Management Barry Draskovich helped to connect Parker with this organization and with the delivery of clothes.
Peer W is Parker Hannifin’s business resource group with a mission to cultivate the professional success of women by creating awareness, education, and visibility. The WISEPlace mission is aligned with Peer W’s key initiative to enhance Parker’s connection with the community through outreach and support of initiatives which empower women.
Exotic Metals collecting gifts and raising funds in Washington
The newest division of Parker Aerospace, joining our organization in an acquisition this year, Exotic Metals Forming Division is participating in many giving tree and toy drives. At the division’s Kent facility, team members are participating in a toy drive benefiting Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM). UGM offers services for those in homelessness and poverty, with services ranging from hot meals, safe shelter, addiction recovery, and other critical essentials.
Exotic Metal’s Airway Heights facility is supporting their local Salvation Army by gathering gifts for young children, teens, and adults in need for a giving tree toy drive as well.
For the 20th year in a row, we are collecting monetary donations for Childhaven. The organization works with the most vulnerable children by partnering with parents and community to prevent trauma and its damaging effects, and prepare children for a lifetime of well-being. Childhaven offers early learning, early intervention, and outpatient mental health services to children and families in King County, Washington. Last year during the holidays, Exotic Metals went above and beyond by raising a record breaking amount, which combined with a matching donation for a total of $20,972!
Angel Gift Holiday Project in Irvine, CaliforniaRepeating a tradition at the two Parker Aerospace locations in Irvine, the Alton and Von Karman facilities sponsored the Angel Gift Holiday Project through Smile Makers in conjunction with the Council on Aging – Orange County. This initiative helps give to seniors who spend the holidays without family. Angel-shaped ornaments each list a specific gift request for Parker employees to purchase a wrapped gift to accompany the tag.
The Council of Aging has been a trusted source that provides programs and services to more than 290,000 seniors and their families annually. There are more than 14,000 seniors in long-term care facilities in Orange County that have no family and SmileMakers Guild mobilizes community support for more than 6,000 seniors who would otherwise be forgotten.
Bikes for Kids kick-off event at Irvine, California
Team members at the Alton facility in Irvine, California, took part in their first Bike for Kids assembly event on Saturday, December 7. An ongoing tradition at Parker Hannifin’s headquarters in Cleveland, the Bikes for Kids event was introduced to the southern California office by IT Manager Sashi Kanth with help from Susan George, Natalie Kirkpatrick, and Ari Leon.
Donations were generously given by all team members in the Alton facility, including Aerospace Group, Military Flight Control Systems Division (MFCSD), and Customer Support Operations (CSO). The donations were enough to purchase 58 bicycles for the children of Thomas House Family Shelter in Garden Grove, California. CSO generously made the additional contribution to purchase helmets for every child as well.
The assembly event had greater turnout than expected, with 22 participants showing up bright and early on a Saturday morning ready to build all 58 bicycles. A trade show vendor for the divisions, Exibitree, was also gracious enough to volunteer its large truck to help deliver all of the bikes to Thomas House.
This post was contributed by Brian King, eBusiness manager, Parker Aerospace
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Parker Teams Give Back - Community Outreach Series
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