Squeezy McPressure here.  Today we are going to talk about pneumatics.  Pneumatics are used in many applications because compressed air or a vacuum pump is readily available in industrial, manufacturing, and medical settings. Have you ever been to the hospital for a procedure? Most rooms are set up with a connection to both pressurized air and vacuum.  Have you ever gone through surgery or a procedure where they place wraps around your legs to help prevent blood clots? Guess what is used...you guessed it...Pneumatics!  Take a look at the air lines used to connect to the wraps.  These use pressurized air to move or energize the muscles in your legs while you lie stationary in the medical bed.  This keeps blood moving in your legs like walking, even though you're lying completely still in bed.  This is another confirmation that Fluid Power is All Around Us.  Keep your eyes open for the use of hydraulics and pneumatics in your everyday life.  Until next time, Squeezy.

Squeezy McPressure here!  Did you know hydraulic and pneumatic systems are All Around Us?  Have you noticed any of the mobile equipment at any of those construction sites or road work areas where you sometimes get held up in traffic?  Have you ever wondered how the equipment operates?  From the ability to

 raise a bucket on a skid steer loader, to the ability to dig a hole with an excavator bucket, operate a jackhammer attachment to break up the asphalt, or even just propel the machine forward or reverse... All of these functions are powered by hydraulics.  Hydraulic fluid is pressurized to move the load on the cylinder, apply torque to the motor, or propel the machine forward and backward.  Mobile equipment uses a gas or diesel combustion engine to power a hydraulic system that operates various functions based on the specific machine in use.  Hydraulic systems are everywhere.  So next time you see a construction site, take a look to see how many machines you can identify that use hydraulic energy.  My guess is that it will be more than you initially think. 

Until next time!  - Squeezy"

Squeezy McPressure here! Did you know hydraulic and pneumatic systems are All Around Us?

You’ve probably seen a garbage truck working its way through your neighborhood, but have you ever stopped to think about how it lifts those heavy trash containers?

Hydraulics to the rescue!

Many garbage trucks use hydraulic cylinders and motors to lift, tilt, and empty containers. Hydraulics can produce a tremendous amount of force in a relatively compact system, making them perfect for handling heavy loads.

This is another great example of  Force = Pressure • Area

Hydraulic pressure acting on the area of a cylinder piston creates the force needed to raise the container. Depending on the truck, hydraulics may also operate the compactor that compresses the trash inside, allowing the truck to carry more material.

So, the next time you see a garbage truck picking up a container, take a closer look. You’re watching fluid power at work!

Hydraulics really are All Around Us!

Until next time!
– Squeezy