By Carl Richter, Vice President
ustainable manufacturing is being promoted globally. Some companies feel it is important regardless of the costs, others do what makes sense, and still others are on the sidelines and unsure of the available options. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainable manufacturing as “the creation of manufactured products through economically sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. Sustainable manufacturing also enhances employee, community, and product safety.” Regarding hydraulics, we can focus on three basic principles: social, environmental, and economic. The sustainability message helps a company focus on the long term, increasing efficiency, eliminating waste, and providing a safer environment for employees while strengthening the company’s brand, With existing hydraulic systems operating throughout the world there is always room for improvements regarding sustainable manufacturing. At the end of the day, for most companies it is about production, how many parts per shift and per day, and so forth. Changing machines is costly and may not make sense in the short term. Many companies are reviewing alternative options for new builds or upgrades and how to make them more sustainable. For hydraulics, options available today include electromechanical actuators (EMAs). Some companies have tried EMAs with limited success. Many EMAs are not up to the hydraulic robustness or are not cost effective. Other options include techniques to make the hydraulic power unit more efficient, such as installing a timer to turn off the HPU motor when not operating for so many minutes. Or using a variable-frequency drive to control a pump motor or implement servo-controlled HPUs. The servo power unit is becoming popular; it minimizes or eliminates hoses and hydraulic connections and provides power on demand while offering more control capabilities. What if there was a technology that combines the best features of hydraulics and the electromechanical technologies? And what if that technology also reduces the challenges? The Kyntronics smart hydraulic actuator (SHA) is an ideal solution for sustainable manufacturing. 6
JANUARY 2022
ics
and General Manager, Kyntron
EMA Benefits
Hydraulic Benefits
• Power on demand • Ease of control
• Shock tolerance
SHA
• 4Q Control
• High force density • Fluid characteristics
• Fieldbus
• Ingress protection
• Diagnostics
• Cost effective
• Easy to reconfigure
• F = A * PSI
EMA Challenges
Hydraulic Challenges
• Expensive • Site loading
• Leaks
• Shock loading
• Maintenance
• L10 specific life
• Fieldbus integration
• Metal to metal wear
• Continuous running motor
• Ingress protection
• Difficult to reconfigure
• Requires a brake
• Control challenges
• Maintenance
• Floor Space
• Backlash
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