What customers expect from fluid power these days could simply be two things. According to David Maurer, director of sales and manufacturing for Humphrey Products, those two things would be adding functionality, and in turn value to a product such as valves, and reducing waste in the customer's system. “What it all boils down to is finding ways to incorporate fluid power and fluid control into products that are a little farther up the food chain,” says Maurer.
Adding Functionality
Humphrey's GEN2 System demonstrates added functionality by incorporating a microprocessor into the valve package. The assembly provides Independent Intelligent Control of multiple sequential control operations with a quick-connect design, called Plug & Run technology. The unit performs some calculations and reacts and communicates to the network with DeviceNET or some other protocol.
A good example of increased functionality in a simple component is Bosch Rexroth's QR1 (Quick Release) series of push-in fittings. Equipped with a plastic release ring that enables a fast connection and release of compressed air tubing, a QR1 fitting's oval release ring makes it easier to use than standard push-in fittings.
Reduce Waste
From industrial customers' standpoint, another key requirement is minimizing waste of any kind. “Anything that contributes toward the elimination of waste in the organization [is important] and downtime is one of those key wastes,” says Maurer. Another example is inventory reduction. “Customers recognize inventory as one of the forms of waste,” he adds. As a result, Humphrey has a continual focus on providing customers flexibility in products and the ordering process.
Another example of eliminating waste is eliminating the time for periodic calibration checks. Ifm efector's TAD Series temperature sensors provide continuous drift monitoring, which eliminates regular calibration checks. With a five-year warranty on the savings the sensor provides compared to a sensor that requires regular calibration checks, ifm demonstrates confidence in the sensor's ability to eliminate this waste. Configuration software in the sensor allows the user to adjust the drift warning and alarm levels.
Just Two?
It would be restrictive to have only two trends, but in reality there are actually several more. One of the trends is continued miniaturization or as Maurer says, “Trying to push density of the solution and trying to get more stuff packed into a smaller area.”
A final trend to consider is the move toward portability. As a result, there is a need to find “innovative ways to reduce power consumption to prolong battery life” as Maurer says in products from “industrial stuff, biomedical, analytical chemistry instrumentation, you name it.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Humphrey Products GEN² valve module contains its own on-board programmed logic for on-board decision making. |
|
|
Tweet This
7 
