Hydraulics is nothing new, considered as a motive force since the 17th century, but it is still improving as it must, to keep track of todays digital environment.
The latest developments are focused around digitization and how hydraulic power packs and components can interface with concepts such as IoT. These will bring hydraulically driven machinery into the modern age of Internet connectivity and “smart technology”. Notably in industrial technology the control and monitoring of wholes plant can take place remotely by many users over the internet.
Energy efficiency has been are area of great advancement across the hydraulic industry. When you consider the overall life-cycle cost of a medium size hydraulic system it is normal that the energy consumed can be 40% of the total cost.
Improvements in Electric motor design and manufacture have allowed the humble AC motor to bring 2-3 % more efficiency, which is the largest energy cost of a system. Other areas such as lower power rating solenoid designs and pump energy optimisation valves all contribute.
Of course a big area where efficiency can be optimised is at the very start of the design. Advances in CAD and CFD design tools are leading to more efficient and more effective designs. Lower weight systems means less fuel in mobile systems and less material resources used.
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