Different Materials
There are two types of push-to-connect fitting materials commonly used; composite and brass.
Composite
The development of composite body push-to-connect fittings has provided a significant advancement over their brass counterpart. Though brass is still a common material, the polymer body and brass screw threads in a composite fitting are extremely durable and provide labor- savings, lighter weight and lower cost compared to brass push-to-connect fittings.
Have you ever thought about the true impact agriculture has on our daily lives? When you think of agriculture you probably think of cornfields, tractors, farms, and you would be correct. All of those things play a vital role in agriculture. But the impact of agriculture extends even further.
D.O.T. Air Brake Fittings
Another extremely important set of components to an air brake system are the fittings that connect the air lines. These fittings must be Department of Transportation compliant and are referred to as D.O.T. fittings.
Foundation brakes are the most common air brake systems in trucks and buses. They use a triple-valve principle which charges air into the tank, applying the brakes, and releasing them. Pressure increases in the cylinder while applying the brakes and in turn decreases pressure in the reservoir. The majority of the vehicles with air brakes have a graduated release system which allows a partial increase in pressure that delivers a proportional release in the brakes.
Each year, International Women's Day is celebrated around the world to recognize women's accomplishments and to make a continual push toward gender equality. Part of this day is celebrating women in science and technology fields. Though traditionally the manufacturing industry and the industries we serve were all primarily male dominated, not so long ago, women stepped up and started leaving their own mark. From Amelia Erhart's impact on Aeronautics, to women like Sally Ride and Roberta Bondar opening the door for women in space exploration, women have played a critical role in the growth of these industries.
For the safety of our roadways, air brakes are the most important component of commercial motor vehicles. The braking system on semi-trucks, large straight trucks, garbage trucks and school buses use compressed air to push the brake shoe lining onto the brake drum creating friction to slow the vehicle. That may not seem very complicated, but it is. The system to slow down a vehicle that may weigh 80,000 pounds fully loaded is not only complicated, it’s critical. Air brakes have to work effectively every time and they must be adequately maintained.
Electric vehicles have become common place in today’s transportation, from personal cars and small trucks to mass transit. As technology is evolving in electric mobile vehicles, major OEMs of construction, off-highway and warehousing equipment are pursuing a combination of full electric and electric hybrid equipment in response to the ecological demand to reduce fuel costs, lower carbon footprints and comply with increasingly stringent emissions directives.
For several years, the growth in technology directly influenced by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has been providing controls and real-time monitoring capabilities in fluid power applications.
Data collection and using that information to operate sensors has long been a part of the fluid power industry. Today, the advancements in IIoT play a significant role in hydraulics and pneumatics as they are frequently incorporated into control valves, pumps, hoses and fittings.
Hydraulic Fluids in Aircraft
Hydraulic fluids used in aircraft are relatively thin compared to industrial fluids. They must also be fire resistant, which is critical when the nearest fire department is five miles below, not a few blocks away. Aircraft hydraulic fluids also differ from industrial applications because they must remain at -65° and up to 275° F. At those temperatures water and vegetable-based oil lubricants will freeze or boil. The primary hydraulic fluids used in military and commercial aircraft depend on the particular application and environment:
Hydraulic System Applications in Aerospace
As mentioned, hydraulic systems are vital to the operation of commercial and military aircraft and space vehicles, including:
Hydraulic Systems: The Heart and Arteries of Aircrafts
Hydraulic systems are used on aircraft to move and actuate landing gear, flaps and brakes. Larger aircraft rely heavily on these systems for flight controls, spoilers and thrust reversers. These systems are reliable due to using hydraulic fluid that is virtually incompressible and able to transmit high pressures while being lightweight and more durable in comparison to pneumatic systems.
2020 was not the year any of us anticipated. It presented challenges and tested each and every one of us. Rather than focusing on the negative, we as a company think it's important to reflect on the positive things we accomplished together, to inspire hope as we enter the new year.
