Michael Ference's Blog, Publisher of H&P

Join Us in Minnesota

2012-01-31T06:35:00.000-08:00

... and join us at our new blog location to learn more http://hydraulicspneumatics.com/

I have moved

2012-01-30T07:19:00.001-08:00

You will find my blog posts now at http://hydraulicspneumatics.com/

Come on over

2012-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

I really appreciate the coverage that this blog has provided over the past four years. I have moved all of my posts over to my new blog site. It can be found at this link.

I hope that you will come on over and find the wealth of fluid power information on the H&P website.

Moving

2012-01-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

My blog is moving to the Hydraulics & Pneumatics website. I thank you very much for reading in this space and ask you to please go to the new location.

2012 is Here

2012-01-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

I know that the calendar shows that today is January 26th. I know that Happy New Year is starting to fade into the background until next January.

Even still, it is now officially a Hydraulics & Pneumatics New Year because today I received my January digital edition of H&P and I also got the print edition. It is always exciting to me to get the new issue but it is especially exciting and rewarding to get the first issue of the year.

I invite you to read and review our January issue as it contains our Annual Designers Guide to Fluid Power Products starting on page 22. There are some other very good articles and product reviews in this issue. And, oh yes, I was fortunate to be asked by our Editor, Alan Hitchcox, to write a Publisher's Page. I hope that you will read it.

At any rate, Happy New Year!!!

One New Trend Addressed

2012-01-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

One of the trends in media, as I see it, is the ability to share content quickly and conveniently with your community. I read a really interesting post on Twitter from the Content Marketing Institute that describes how sharing of information within your community benefits all.

Our new website, launching very soon, will give us the capability to post really current and shared information within the fluid power community. This is an exciting new trend because it allows specialists in a given field to share relevant information quicky.

It allows us to be very selective in the information that we read and share because we are already involved with communities through social media. I believe this trend will continue.

Trends and Five-Year Plans

2012-01-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

I think that the understanding of trends and using them to build five-year plans and even longer plans is essential to smart business. It has not been business as usual in the media business or in the fluid power businss for a long time. It won't be.

Therefore we need to grasp where things are going so that we can provide service to our customers. In the media business, we serve both our reader customers as well as our advertiser customers. We need to deliver fluid power content to our readers in the format and timliness that they expect. Our advertisers need to connect and communciate with our readers in a way that will increase their product and brand awareness.

So, what are the trends? First, the trends in the media business are being redefined regularyly. We have incorporated websites and e-newsletters into our mix of advertising options. What is next? Social Media? Apps for smart phones?

What about in fluid power? Is it smaller, faster, more durable components and systems? Are more electronics and smart controls to be applied to traditional fluid power applications?

In the area of supply chain management, will the roles of distributors and manufactures reps continue to evolve? What about e-commerce?

Is globalization of components to continue to grow and change the business?

These are all essential questions to understanding trends. Can you help me?

A Delay in Our Launch

2012-01-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

There have been some unexpected technical difficulties with the launch of the new Hydraulics & Pneumatics website. It will be forthcoming, possibly as soon as today.

We will operate this website on a platform with many Penton website and ours is one of the first to be launched on the new platform. In order to insure the integrity and stability of the system, a few more things had to be checked out.

I am sitll excited!

All systems are go for tomorrow

2012-01-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

I remember as a kid listening to the coverage of the various NASA space projects and the launch of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions. Leading up to each launch, the technicians at NASA could be heard over the radio commenting that "all systems are go" meaning that the launch is proceeding as planned.

Well, I can say that "all systems are go" for the launch of the new Hydraulics & Pneumatics website tomorrow. Our current website has served our audience very well since 2005 but it is on an old platform that does now allow us flexibility in posting new content.

Now in 2012, the lines between print and online content have become very blurred and we will have the capability of posting new content online before it ever hits our print pages. In fact, we will be providing our audience even more web-only content with our new website.

In that regard, tomorrow will be a very important day in the history of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. I hope that you will be joining us for the launch and that you will become an even more frequent user of our website.

Slightly new-look e-newsletter

2012-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

e-newsletters are an important part of a marketing mix. They include content about a specific subject and are sent directly to a qualified, opt-in audience. I would like to direct your attention to Fluid Power Monthly which is the Hydraulics & Pneumatics monthly e-newsletter.

It includes some recent H&P articles, ads from our fluid power advertisers, a new format skyscraper ad from Clippard, and an easy-to-access menu at the top. In addition to the articles selected by our Senior Associate Editor, Mary Gannon, we have a contributed article from our Contributing Editor, Josh Cosford. He ads a very interesting insight to the e-newsletter which alone makes it worth receiving.

This e-newsletter is sent for free to over 20,000 opt-in recipients and we would love to send it to you as well. Simply sign up to receive it monthly.

Thank you for reading and you have my pledge that we will continue to bring you the very best fluid power information possible in a variety of formats, including our Fluid Power Monthly.

Honing in on Social Media

2012-01-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

This is an ongoing effort. How do I most successfully use Social Media? Well you can't be in all places at all times, even though Social Media and TV commercials make it seem so.

We need to be smart about the usage of this new phenomenon. Try out different channels and see what works best for you without wasting a lot of time.

I have found that Twitter works for me right now. I am following several Tweeters who post interesting information that pertains to my profession. Doing it this way, I can stay up to date and get input from several sources.

Ironically, I find that sometimes it is easier to print a Tweet and read it later. This is still progress though.

More good news about manufacturing

2012-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Here is some information that I found from our own Industry Week magazine publishes some great industry and market information and this artcle specifically talks about how manufacturing continues to experience growth and continues to support our overall economy.

This is true for fluid power manufacturers who continue to experience solid manufacturing conditions into the new year. With this said, I remain optimistic about 2012 for the fluid power industry.

Our New Website in One Week

2012-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

On January 24, 2012, we will launch the redesigned Hydraulics & Pneumatics website. What does this mean for our audience?

It means that we at H&PN will have much more flexibility with our content. Adding new content will be simple for us and thus the articles and announcements about fluid power products and machinery will be fresher. We will still have tons of great fluid power content. It will still be organized by component category and by end-use markets.

The site will look more current and will give us a lot more capability. That should actually increase our audience base because of the content. I am really looking forward to the new site so that we can advance in our communication universe.

Tracking Economic Growth

2012-01-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

With regard to understanding our current economic pattern, it helps to understand the historical data of economic cycles. I have said this in the past but will say it again, I attribute most of what I know to the Institute of Trends Research ITR and economist Alan Beaulieu. I invite you to visit their website for more information economic cycles.

At any rate, the current economic cycle as I have come to understand it is at a mature growth level and may begin to show a decline in "rate of growth" in 2012. This does not mean a decline over last years performance, it simply means a lower level of growth. In other words, if your company had a record year in 2011, you could very well have another record year in 2012 but only slightly better.

Please refer to this article from our own Industry Week magazine that reflects this very concept for 2012. So, slower growth for manufacturing is not a reason for panic, it is simply the economy following a traditional pattern. See ITR's website for more about patterns.

This same cycle should be true for the fluid power industry as well. We tend to follow the overall manufacturing sector of the US economy for our economic cycle. We know that 2011 was a great year for our industry. If the cycle follows the expected pattern, 2012 will be a great year also.

Social Media to the Rescue

2012-01-13T07:57:00.001-08:00

For years now, I have been asked the question about how online media and advertising will negatively affect publishing. Well, in my opinion, the opposite is true. Of course, magazines have been hosting websites and posting both content and advertising there for well over a decade.

But currently, the web connection for the Business-to-Business publishing world has gone well beyond just websites and e-newsletters. Our content is now leveraged over all forms of social media. Using Hydraulics & Pneumatics as an example, our editors Alan Hitchcox and Mary Gannon as well as myself use our blogs as a means for communicating with our reader audience. In addition Mary and I use Twitter and LinkedIn to communicate with dedicated user groups.

In every case, we can use, refer to, and link to the same great fluid power content that is found in our monthly magazine and Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. By the way, our 2012-13 Fluid Power Handbook & Directory is available for the first time ever in January as a digital edition and was e-mailed to our digital readers and accessed from our website as well.

Social media offers us, and anyone else, the opportunity to use and reuse the ideas and solutions found in our magazine by simply forwarding links to our website, digital issues, or e-newsletters. In the past, the lawyers said a reader really needed a formal permission to reuse or pass along our content to an audience of any number. Today, you can use Twitter to refer hundreds and maybe thousands of readers instantly.

Trade Shows with Fluid Power

2012-01-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

While 2011 was a big year for fluid power related trade shows, 2012 has it's share of interesting events that will showcase fluid power systems in OEM machinery. One show that stands out is the Work Truck Show scheduled for March 6-8 at the Indiana Convention Center. For more information on the show, please click here.

There will be work trucks from virtually every end use market where heavy trucks are used to move or carry a load. There will be innovative products, industry education, and green technology on display. This market represents growth potential for hydraulic systems because of many factors, including hybrid systems.

So much can now be accomplished with work trucks by using hydraulic systems to both perform a particular function plus move the truck efficiently. Check out the Work Truck Show.

Hydraulic Filtration

2012-01-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

One of the key factors in the efficient operation of a hydraulic system is proper filtration. That is why we address this subject often in the pages of Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine. Dirty fluid is the leading cause of component failure in otherwise well designed hydraulic systems.

In our February 2012 issue, we will explore ways to keep hydraulic fluid clean. I invite you to pick up a copy soon and read this and all of the helpful articles in the issue. In advance of that, please go to our website and to to the hydraulic filtration section of our Fluid Power Basics.

The tutorial information in our Fluid Power Basics is taken from our biennial Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. If you have not yet had a chance to review the digital edition of this publication, please click here for a link to it. While you are there, please sign up for a free digital subscription to our publications.

Learn about eListening

2012-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

At our company, Penton Media, we now offer a variety of marketing services to our clients and we call our new department Penton Marketing Services. We have some excellent services that will help companies to maximize their current marketing efforts.

One of the new services offered by Penton Marketing Services is called eListening and it is basically just what it sounds like, a sophisticated method of learning from what is being said about companies and products and deriving marketing intelligence from it.

We are offering a free webinar on the subject and I invite you to attend. Please click here for more information and to register. It can only help to learn about new marketing ideas. I hope that you can join us on January 19th and I would then like to discuss eListening with you further.

Compressed Air Handbook

2012-01-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

For decades, we at Hydraulics & Pneumatics have published the Fluid Power Handbook & Directory which is a reference source for all of fluid power. It includes not only tutorial information about virtually all fluid power components, it also features comprehensive listings of components.

We have offered this service to our audience for a long time and we plan to continue. Now we plan to take this one step further by focusing strictly on Pneumatics with our Compressed Air Handbook which we plan to launch this December.

The best way to understand how pneumatic systems work is to understand them from compressor to actuator. Selecting the proper compressor, the proper conditioning components, connectors, and actuators is essential to the optimum functioning of any pneumatic system. That is why we are launching this new project.

January Designers Guide coming soon

2012-01-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

One of the most useful listings of fluid power components available anywhere is the Hydraulics & Pneumatics Designers Guide. We will be publishing our Annual Designers Guide later this month and it will be filled with pages of charts containing specific information about fluid power components.

You can go to the H&P website and get this excellent Designers Guide information anytime. If your company is a fluid power component manufacturer, there is a link to update your product specifications anytime.

Of course, if your preference is to receive the magazine digitally, we can accomodate that too. Simply refer to our digital edition, go to the very last page, fill out the subscription form, and begin receiving your new free subscription to H&P. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Our New Conference & Expo Format

2012-01-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

In 2011, we developed a new format for our Fluid Power Conference & Expo. In the past, all of our exhibits were in one hall and all of the seminar sessions were held in breakout rooms.

Last year, we combined the two by having our keynote session and several of our other seminar sessions held in the same room as the exhibits. In fact, the booths surrounded the audience attending the sessions. This kept more of the action in one place.

Going forward, we will use this format in our June 2012 Fluid Power Conference & Expo being held at the University of Minnesota. We have located a very interesting space that will work just fine with our new format. I hope that you can join us for this event.

Fluid Power Conference & Expo goes to Minnesota

2012-01-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

There will be more than one Fluid Power Conference & Expo taking place in 2012. The first event will be held in conjunction with the Waste Expo Show in Las Vegas in May. For more information about this show, please refer to their website.

Then, on June 26-27, 2012, our stand alone Fluid Power Conference & Expo will be held at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center. It will consist of exhibits and fluid power seminar sessions similar to our events of recent years.

The cost of a ten-ft. booth is just $1,800, so if your company sells fluid power components, either distributor or manufacturer, this would be a great place to be. For two days, your sales and technical people will have the opportunity to network with prospective customers.

Please contact me for more details.

Great Content in a new location

2012-01-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

On June 26-27, 2012, the Fluid Power Conference & Expo will take place at the University of Minnesota. It will follow the same format of seminars, exhibits, and lunch. Save the dates.

The intent of this event is to give fluid power component manufacturers or distributor the opportunity to meet face-to-face with customers and prospects. In turn, the customers and prospects are offered two days of interesting seminar sessions and the opportunity to interface with suppliers.

I hope that you will be able to join us in Minnesota this June.

Our New Website Coming Soon

2012-01-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

On January 24, 2012, we at Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine expect to launch our new website. Our current site has served our audience very well since 2005 but we are overdo for an upgrade and new look.

The new site will have all of the great content that currently exists there like tons of product reviews, content from our Fluid Power Handbook & Directory, Designers Guide, Technology Zones, and much more. We will be upgrading to a more functional platform that will allow our editors to add content quickly and easily, something our current site does now allow.

We will continue to integrate our social media activity and efforts into our new site. We currently have three bloggers including myself, Alan Hitchcox, and Mary Gannon. We have two Twitter users, three LinkedIN participants, and a Hydraulics & Pneumatics Facebook page.

Another well-used section of our current site that will migrate over is our Forums. If you have not yet had a chance to view and participate in our Forums, I invite you to do so.

New launches are exciting!

More than one way to get fluid power information

2012-01-03T06:43:00.000-08:00

We now have our Fluid Power Handbook & Directory available in at least three ways, in print, in a digital edition, and on our website. Go to any one of these sources and you will find page after page of tutorial content about how fluid power components work and how you can make your best selection.

In addition to the great editorial content found in this Directory, you will find comprehensive listings of fluid power component manufacturers and distributors as well as their advertising. For a more interactive version of the listing forms, please check out our online Manufacturers Directory and Distributor Directory.

This information is now available to anyone in the world for free. Please visit our online or digital versions of the Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. Thanks for reading.

An application where material selection is key

2011-12-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

The selection of the right material for any given fluid power application is essential for success and optimum performance. In the December issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we report on a medical application where a ceramic motor was used.

In this article titled Metal-free motors put a new spin on medical imaging, the author explains how the use of metal needed to be avoided because of possible interference with the MRI machine. The use of the ceramic air motor and engineered plastic hose end fittings allowed for a successful application.

The medical equipment market is a significant user of pneumatic technology. Every issue of H&P contains pneumatic applications and product reviews. If you are not already a subscriber to Hydraulics & Pneumatics, please click here and go to the very last page for a free subscription form.

Thanks for your interest.

A really cool application story in December

2011-12-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

I would like to draw your attention to the story in our December issue of Hydraulis & Pneumatics about a hydraulic motocycle. You can read about it in our print issue, read it on our website, or go to our digital edition.

If you use our digital issue with the above link, I welcome you to advance to the very last page of the issue after reading the article. There you will find an offer to sign up for a free subscription to our monthly magazine. That will also entitle you to our digital Fluid Power Handbook & Directory as we will be resending it in 2012.

This is a great story about how a fluid power designer used hydraulics and his ingenuity to power a chopper. He even thought to cool the hydraulc oil tank with a heat exachanger because on such a motorcycle, you have to sit over the tank.

I know a little about how hydrostatic transmissions drive and power work trucks and off-highway vehicles. It appears that the designer of the chopper, Ron Holcomb of Hydradyne Hydraulics in Houston utilized some of the same pricipals to power this motorcycle.

We often report on such interesting special application machines in the pages of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Of course, our main function is to report on how fluid power systems power machinery for both industrial and mobile applications.

If this kind of information is for you, please subscribe. If you already do, thanks for reading.

Covering the Important Markets

2011-12-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

In 2012, as in previous years, the content of Hydraulics & Pneumatics will be focused on the many important markets that use fluid power components. We now reach over 60,000 readers with a combination of our printed and digital editions.

Every month, these readers find our application-based stories about machinery and equipment in specific markets of interest because the technology is similar or the same that used in their machinery. In February, we will cover the market that includes work trucks, rail maintenance, and buses.

Additionally, our pneumatic highlight will be on the food and beverage processing machinery industry. Our product focus will be about hydraulic filters and we will cover fluid power maintenance in general.

One of the reasons that our readers keep asking for and renewing their subscriptions is because our content is unique. That is why H&P magazine was founded and that is why we still serve our readers today.

Every issue of H&P is full of excellent fluid power content. I invite you to make your advertising a part of our February 2012 issue. If you have any questions, please give me a call. We look forward to working with you for success in 2012.

Fluid Power Handbook & Directory - Digital Edition

2011-12-27T06:21:00.000-08:00

Now for the first time ever, our Fluid Power Handbook & Directory is available in a digital edition. Every page of this excellent fluid power reference souce is available to everyone, everywhere.

All of the product listings, tutorial pages, local sources listings, and advertising are included and anyone can get it. This is a first for this two-year book that had been traditionally a print product. It will also be available from our new website due to be launched in January.

If you are a fluid power component manufacturer, consider placing a digital ad in one of the tutorial sections. For example, if you sell cylinders, consider a pop-up ad in the cylinder section. If you are a distributor, consider the same, an ad in an important section.

If you are a reader, we would value your feedback on this digital version.

Three Events Planned for 2012

2011-12-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

The Fluid Power Conference & Expo will travel to three locations in 2012. The first will be familiar ground and it will be a co-location at the Waste Expo show in Las Vegas on April 30 - May 2, 2012. This will be the second time that FPC&E partners with Waste Expo in Las Vegas.

The Waste Expo show is North America's largest solid waste and recycling show serving both the public and private sector. Since hydraulics are so prominent in the machinery that manages waste and garbage, this is a natural fit. We will present a seminar of fluid power sessions relating to the waste management industry.

Our second event will take place in a brand new location for us and it is the University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center in Minneapolis. This will be our two-day stand alone event complete with a seminar series and lunch both days. It will take place on June 26-27, 2012

The third event is targeted for Charlotte and is yet undetermined for dates and space. It too will be a stand alone event with seminars and lunches. We are calling the three evnets our educational triple play. More details will be coming.

Planning a Great 2012

2011-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

In 2012, we will continue to publish Hydraulics & Pneumatics every month. That is no surprise as we have been doing so since 1947. It remains the very best fluid power information source available to industry.

We expect to grow our digital circulation of the magazine that now stands at over 25,000 readers. I believe that the interest in our magazine continues to grow because of the excellent content produced by our editorial team.

In 2012, we will be rolling out a redesigned website that will have much greater functionality than our current site. This site has served our audience very well since 2005 but it is time for an update and you will be seeing that in Q1 2012.

We will still be sending out our three e-newsletters including Fluid Power Monthly, Product Source, and FasTrac. They continue to perform very well in generating leads to our advertisers' websites and should continue and grow in 2012.

At the end of next year, we plan to launch our newest project, The Compressed Air Handbook, that will detail all aspects of pneumatic systems. This will be a first for us and we invite your comments on shaping its future.

Right now, our plans call for three Fluid Power Conference & Expos, in Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Charlotte. Details will be following.

Thanks to all for your support this year and we look forward to serving our audience in 2012.

Happy Holidays

Keeping the issue open as long as possible

2011-12-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

The January issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics will feature our Annual Designers Guide. This is a series of fluid power component charts with detailed information. It is one of our best editorial features of the year. To get a look at our online version, you can find it on our website.

Unfortunately, it has always been put together around the Holidays because, of course, it is the January issue. For that reason, we are keeping the advertising reservations open untl the end of December.

For more information about the January issue and reasons why a fluid power company should advertise, please click here. Of course, I invite you to call me for more information at 216-931-9352.

Happy Holidays!

Ads are popping up

2011-12-21T06:44:00.000-08:00

One of the cool things about our digital edition is that we can offer our advertisers pop-up ads. Now I know that you might think, oh no, they will get in my way.

Well that would be true if the information in the pop-up ads were not valuable. But in Hydraulics & Pneumatics, all of the information is valuable both editorial and advertising. So, if you turn the page on one of our digital editions and an ad shows up that offers you a product or design solution, then great!

When you are finished looking at the ad, simply click the x in the corner and it will disappear allowing you to read the content under it. It is simple.

If your company is interested in digital advertising in this form, please contact me or Ron Klimko to discuss details.

Please take a look at our digital edition and go the very last page. You can sign up there for your free subscription. Just click here.

RATs to the rescue

2011-12-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

As we have stated again and again, fluid power plays a crucial role in our daily lives and in the safe and efficient operation of all types of machinery and equipment. Something called a RAT or a ram engine turbine provides emergency power in aircraft applications. This is our cover story for December.

While not all hydraulic systems are involved in such dramatic applications, most do perform some very useful service. In this case, they provide a safety system for all types of aircraft. I invite you to read the whole story in our December 2011 print edition, on our website or in our digital edition.

I also invite your company to submit interesting application stories for publication in H&P. Stories like the RAT story make our content both interesting and useful to our over 60,000 readers. And, by the way, if you choose to view this article on our digital editon, please go the very last page and sign up for your free subscription.

This is HUGE

2011-12-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our first ever digital edition of the Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. Here is a ton of fluid power information delivered by e-mail to over 25,000 digital readers. What's more, this edition will now be available from the H&P website for the next two years.

We are striving to deliver our great content in every useful way to our audience. That includes the product information and advertising from fluid power manufacturers and distributors. I hope that you will access this excellent reference volume often as we have now moved the Fluid Power Handbook & Directory into the present in every way.

The future is bright for this great publication.

Welcome Aboard Ron Klimko

2011-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hydraulics & Pneumatics is excited to announce a new addition to our sales team. It gives me pleasure to announce that Ronald Klimko will be joining us as our new Regional Sales Manager. Ron will be joining me in growing our media offerings and helping you achieve your marketing goals.
We are lucky to have Ron, as he comes with 12 years of media sales experience. He has worked within our company, Penton Media, in the Public Infrastructure division and will be bringing his skills over to Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Ron’s expertise of selling print and online solutions comes with his dynamic and energetic approach. He has an understanding personality and is willing to help in every possible manner. We have complete confidence and trust in Ron that he will give you the quality service that you need and expect from us.

We appreciate that you have worked with us through our many changes and have supported our professional relationship. We look to Ron to make these relationships stronger as he will be contacting you to discuss your initiatives in the coming year.

We look forward to continuing our partnership and I hope you will help us in welcoming Ron to our team.

Another Great Looking Issue

2011-12-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to the digital version of the December issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. I hope that you will have some time to connect, read, and subscribe. Every month, our editors and graphics directory deliver what I believe is the best magazine possible.

One of the many cool things about our digital edition is that you can hold your cursor over any of the headlines on the front cover and link directly to that article. Not that you would want to skip over any of the other valuable content, but if something catches your attention, you can go right to it.

Of course, please go to the very end of the issue and subscribe if you have not done so already. If you are a satisfied subscriber, anywhere in the world, please pass this link along to any other possible subscriber anywhere in the world. It's free.

The New Edition

2011-12-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

In the magazine business, it is always exciting to receive the new edition every month. For over 30 years, I have looked forward to getting the new edition of Hydraulics & Pneumatics and reading through it.

Our Fluid Power Handbook & Directory is only published every other year. So, when it comes around, it is especially rewarding. Well today, I got my copy of the 2012-13 Fluid Power Handbook & Directory and, while I have not read through it yet, I am very proud and pleased about the way it looks.

You to can have your own digital edition of the 2012-13 Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. If you are a digital subscriber to H&P you will automatically receive it. If you would like to sign up for a free digital editon, please go to our website, go to the digital issue button, advance to the very last page, and sign up.

You will be ensured of receiving another 12 months of really great fluid power information delivered directly to your inbox.

Great Plans for Fluid Power Events in 2012

2011-12-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

The Fluid Power Conference & Expo will move forward next year, 2012, with three new venues. First, we will once again co-locate with Waste Expo and provide a fluid power series of presentations of fluid power used in the waste management business. This excellent event will take place in Las Vegas at the Convention Center on April 30- May 2, 2012.

In June, we will hold the stand-alone Fluid Power Conference & Expo on the campus of the University of Minnesota on June 25-26, 2012. We are still putting together details for this event but I invite you to inquire for more details to michael.ference@penton.com.

In the Fall of 2012, we will hold a third even and right now the location has not been finalized but it will be in the Carolinas in October. This rounds out a good year of fluid power events designed to educate our audiences an give our exhibitors a chance to interface with them.

I am recommending January

2011-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

We are close to wrapping up 2011 and it has been a very successful year for fluid power. The forecast for 2012 is for continued growth in our industry and marketers of fluid power products should continue to advertise the competitive advantages of their products.

That is why I am recommending the January issue of H&P with our Designers Guide to continue promoting your brand name and products to our audience of over 60,000 readers.

Please check out this YouTube video for a quick message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h3NF_LCJ-k

Fluid Power Monthly - our e-newsletter

2011-12-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Every month, we at Hydraulics & Pneumatics publish an e-newsletter directed to over 20,000 opt-in recipients. It is full of great fluid power content and our e-newsletter Editor is Mary Gannon.

If your company has an application story that you would like to share with our readers, send it to Mary at mary.gannon@penton.com and she will gladly work with you to develop your message. If you would like to see a sample of our Fluid Power Monthly, please click here.

Don't Miss Our January Designers Guide Issue

2011-12-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

Reserve your ad space today for the January Designers Guide Issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. The fluid power economy is still very strong and now is the time to communcate your competitive advantages.

The closing date is December 15th and I am sure that we will be extending it. Give me a call at 216-931-9352 or e-mail me at michael.ference@penton.com

Why the January Issue?

2011-12-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

Every year for the past 56 years, we at Hydraulics & Pneumatics have provided our readers with an excellent guide to fluid power components called the Designers Guide. It appears in our January issue and the closing date to place you ad in the January 2012 edition will be December 22, 2012. This issue is still kept and referred to all year long by our over 60,000 readers who need specific component information.

Plan now to advertise in January 2012. Please contact me if you have any questions. This will be your best ad placement of the year.

Here our Editor, Alan Hitchcox, explains why our readers love our Designers Guide issue. It is the most thorough quick guide to fluid power components.

Editorial Expertise

2011-12-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

One of the real strengths of Hydraulics & Pneumatics is our editorial team. Our Editor, Alan Hitchcox, has been leading the team for several years. He has a passion for fluid power and for communication of new ideas as well as existing technology.

Mary Gannon and Ken Korane are also very enthusiastic and knowledgeable fluid power editors who know how to deliver the very best fluid content possible every month. Mary heads up our online editorial efforts and is a regular blogger.

This editorial team produces the kind of excellent engineering content that our readers have come to rely on every month. We produce both tutorial and application content about mobile and industrial hydraulics and pneumatics every month.

Fluid Power Handbook & Directory

2011-12-02T05:50:00.000-08:00

Very soon, our 2012-13 Fluid Power Handbook & Directory will be mailed to our readers. This printed book has been in production for over 50 years, dating back to the days with printed directories were the only way to get such data and information.

Our new edition will be delivered in print but it will also be available as a digital edition to virtually anyone anywhere. It will be very similar to our digital magazine click here that you can sign up for at any time. In fact, if you sign up now, you will receive the digital Fluid Power Handbook & Directory too and it is all free.

If for any reason you miss the cut off date to be included in the initial e-mailing of the Directory, you can find it any time on our website. Our site will be redesigned real soon but the Directory will still be there. We look forward to serving you our information.

Social Media is helping us

2011-12-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

This is an ongoing discussion. I am finding Social Media to be very useful in my work. I am also discovering every day that Social Media is very useful to information providers like Hydraulics & Pneumatics.

Obviously many people are finding it useful. I found an article on Twitter that says that many young people are looking for jobs where internet access is available because of Social Media.

In the past, we were somewhat protective of our content. Now, anyone can tweet or blog with link to our content that will be seen by hundreds if not thousands of new viewers. Since our content is valuable, it is in demand.

Since our content is now available online and in our digital edition, we really want people to pass it along. So, instead of replacing traditional publishing Social Media is really helping us.

I am finding that Twitter is a particularly useful tool for business but only if you are following the right sources. If you find and follow individuals who lead you to interesting and useful content, then they are helping you to continue your education and knowledge about any given subject. It is continuing to help.

Useful Fluid Power Products

2011-11-30T06:27:00.000-08:00

Every month, Hydraulics & Pneumatics offers Useful Product information to our 60,000+ readers. In our November issue, for example, you can find these starting on page41. Check out our digital editon also.

If you go to our website, you will find product review that have been archived from the past several years. They are organized into two groups, Technology Zones for access to product categories, and Industry Zones for access to product targeted to specific end-use markets.

If your company sells fluid power components, I recommend that you send us your product press releases for publication in H&P. First of all, it is free. Secondly, you will get your information published in print and available online.

Contact me with any questions.

Hose or Tubing

2011-11-29T18:12:00.000-08:00

In the November issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, author Brendan Casey examines the question of whether hose or tubing should be used for a given hydraulc application. Brendan has authored many articles for Hydraulics & Pneumatics in the area of MRO.

MRO is an extremely important segment of the fluid power market as products do wear out in harsh environments and in repeated cycles. This article, Hose or tubing: Its horses for courses, can be found in the November digital edition of H&P by clicking here. While there, go the very last page and sign up for your subscription.

For more information on hose and tubing, please go to our website and click on Fluid Power Basics. There you will find an index of component groups and you can then access both hose and tubing. You will also find who makes these products in our Manufacturers Directory.

More about competitive advantages

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

In a previous post, I mentioned how important it is for companies to communicate their competitive advantages. There are, indeed, many areas where a fluid power company can have a competitive advantage. It does not necessarily need to be specific product qualites.

For some fluid power companies, their competitive advantage could be their excellent distributor network. More specifically, it might be their communication and lead sharing program with their distribution system. For other companies, it could be that they have excellent delivery time because of their production capacity.

Still others might want to boost about their innovative capabilities and reaction to market needs. I meet with many companies whose custom product capability is their strength and their competitive advantage. I also meet with companies whose volume of inventory and ability to fill large orders is their advantage.

Whatever a company's competitive advantage may be, now is the time to communicate it.

Simple But Informative and Useful - Supplier Central

2011-11-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes simple is the most effective. In our November issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we feature a Supplier Central on Rod and Tubing for fluid power applications.

This feature consists of a list of companies that make or sell such products with their phone number and web address. It also includes our Desginers Guide chart on Tubing as found on our website.

When designers are working on projects that require the right rod or tubing for the job, they can count on Hydraulics & Pneumatics Designers Guide for the very best and most current information available. You can view our Designers Guide online.

You can also receive every issue by e-mail by referring to our Digital Edition and going to the very last page. Use the form there for your free subscription.

Very Good Economic Information

2011-11-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

One of our many excellent publications at Penton Media, parent of Hydraulis & Pneumatics, is Industry Week. Here is an article that I found in IW that shows some very encouraging news that Manufacturing Production Will Outpace the Overall Economy.

I know this to be true in fluid power because of the many contacts that I have corresponded with over recent months. Our industry continues to be strong and, in fact, show growth. As I have quoted from the recent NFPA economic webcasts and conference, the Institute for Trend Research is forecasting stable growth ahead for our industry.

With this being said, now continues to be a great time to advertise and promote your brand and your competitive advantages. Both Hydraulics & Pneumatics and Industry Week can help you to do that. Just contact one of our representatives for details.

Why not send us a story?

2011-11-23T06:14:00.000-08:00

Every issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics is full of interesting stories. Some are tutorials about how components work and others are interesting application stories. We have many pages to fill every year with interesting stories and so we could use your help.

An excellent example of an application story that was submitted to us appears in our November issue and it is titled Selecting the right hose can quiet things down. In this article, the author discusses thinks like volumetric expansion of hose as well as using the right hose to reduce vibration and noise.

He is careful to point out the negative effects of excessive noise and vibration and how they cause excess wear on a machine. He goes on to suggest products that will overcome such design problems. Then some specific examples of usage of hose are explained.

Every fluid power manufacturer has the opportunity to provide us with such content to share with our 60,000+ readers. Your products provide design and maintenance solutions and we would like to know about them and share.

Coming Next Month

2011-11-21T05:13:00.000-08:00

Near the end of December, we will publish our 2012-13 Fluid Power Handbook & Directory. This two-year publication will be full of really great fluid power content to educate and inform you our readers and web users on all aspects of fluid power.

Our mission at Hydraulics & Pneumatics is to produce great content about the entire fluid power system from power source to actuator. Designers and maintenance personnel alike can make much more informed decisions about their fluid power component selections when they study and understand the entire system.

Our new Fluid Power Handbook & Directory will now be available as a digital issue for the very first time. Not only will we e-blast the issue to our digital subscribers, we will archive it on the H&P website. This will be a bonus for our advertisers and readers as well.

November is Awesome

2011-11-21T05:02:00.000-08:00

To me, every issue of Hydraulis & Pneumatics is fantastic. Seeing our brand new issue every month never gets old. All I have to do is see the front cover and table of contents to know that our and art director have done it again.

I invite you to review our digital edition and if you like it, go to the very last page and sign up for your own digital subscription. It's free! If you are interested in fluid power and involed in a career that uses fluid power, we welcome you.

In our November issue, we also welcome our latest regular monthly sponsor, Express Seal. You will see their ad on the opening spread opposite the front cover. I invite you to learn more about all of our advertisers in our print and digital issues.

Communicate Your Competitive Advantages

2011-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

One of the things that advertising will do for an industrial company is to convey your competitive advantages to your prospective customers. Every company has a naturally occuring advantage or a chosen advantage.

By that I mean a naturally occuring advantage could be easy access to market because of physical location, long-term great reputation inheireted from previous management, or just a corner on the market. Chosen advantages could be focus on quick delivery, lowest price, or actual highest quality.

For years, I have been quoting information presented to the NFPA members by the Institute for Trends Research ITA. They very clearly explain that business trends do run in cycles and they label the four cycles A-D.

Well, it is clear that the fluid power industry and the many component manufacturers and distributors who comprise it are in cycle C. This is a time where we are experiencing a continued growth but at a slowing rate. In fact. ITA is calling for a soft landing which means that the rate should increase.

One of the things that a company should do in cycle C is to communicate their competitive advantages. This will enable companies to continue the success they have experienced in cycles A and B. After the investment in growing and expanding during these two cycles, now is the time to hold onto your gains while still seeking more.

We at Hydraulics & Pneumatics help fluid power component manufacturers and distributors to communicate their competitive advantages. We look forward to working with them in 2012 to keep the industry moving forward.

2012 Looks Even Better

2011-11-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter is still positive at 2.5 which I think is very encouraging. The overall economy does keep expanding and, as we in the fluid power industry know, our industry exceeds the overall economy.

I recently viewed a webcast hosted by the NFPA which is the industry association for fluid power companies, and it was presented by Andrew Duguay of the Institute for Trends Research (ITR). In this presentation, Andrew discussed the trends curve for industry.

Most of the US economy is in what ITR fefers to as phase C, which is still a growth part of the cycle but at a reduced growth rate. He mentioned that the fluid power industry usually is in line with the overall production segment of the economy. That location on the curve is currently on the high part of the C cycle.

The most encouraging indication of the current economic trends as conveyed in this presentation is that we may be in for a soft landing rather than a recession. That simply means that we will only see a declining growth rate followed by an increasing growth rate, with no negative growth.

If that is the case, then we are in for a good 2012 and 2013. I am all for that.

Let's Work Together to Make 2012 Great

2011-11-14T09:31:00.000-08:00

Starting in January ... The January issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics will feature our Annual Designers Guide which is a very useful tool for buyers and specifiers of fluid power components and related products. It is one place where they can go to find component metrics and specifics.
This makes our January issue one of your best advertising buys of the year. The printed issue is still kept and referred to all year long by our readers.

In addition to the Designers Guide, our January issue will feature Mobile Hydraulic Pumps and Motors, Pneumatic Filters, and Power Units in our feature editorial content. Add to that our regular departments of products and application stories and you have a great issue.

We look forward to partnering with your company in 2012 to continue to increase your brand awareness and to take advantage of a strong fluid power industry across all markets. We now have over 60,000 readers in all markets that use fluid power technology.

Make your product advertising a part of our offering in 2012 by starting out with an advertisement in our January Issue. The closing date for ad reservations will be December 15 with an extension added on for at least another week.

Please contact me with any questions and let us work with you to make 2012 great!

Advertising Interest Measurement AIM

2011-11-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Here at Penton Media, we have some excellent research people and capabilities. One of our regular studies done for our advertisers is our AIM Studies. For Hydraulics & Pneumatics, our Research Director, Julie Ritchie, conducts these excellent surveys for us.

AIM is a readership survey conducted amont our readers to determine an advertisement's communication effectiveness for three goals: 1) making prospects/customers aware of a company and/or a new product and/or a new technology 2) providing ideas for doing one's job better an/or helping to solve a design problem, and 3) motivation action, such as visiting a website, requesting a catalog/sample/demo, asking to see a sales rep, filing an ad for reference and specifying/purchasing the advertised product.

We conducted an AIM survey for the August issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics and it produced over 50 pages of comments by our readers about each advertisement. This tells me two things. One, we continue to have an excellent readership for Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Two, our readers are very interested in the ads.

Let me know if you would like more information about our AIM readership studies.

Media Marts are still effective

2011-11-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, we came up with an idea to offer advertisers a low-cost way to promote their sales literature in Hydraulics & Pneumatics. I mean like 25 years ago BTW. We called it Literature File. Back then, literature was an extremely important part of every company's marketing plan.

Well, in the fluid power industry, literature is still important. Brochures and catalogs are used by sales people to sell their products. I know that a lot of information is communcated through online means too. But literature is still important.

So here we are, 25 years later, still offering our advertisers the opportunity to promote their sales literature in our Media Marts for just $900 per item. Let me know if you are interested.

More on Social Media Usage

2011-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

I found this interesting information on Twitter http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-promising-social-media-stats-for-small-businesses/

I expected that social media usage is growing for businesses of all sizes and I also expect that it will continue to grow. Users will find more and more ways to communicate to customers, vendors, and co-workers through social media.

It will be interesting to learn what the next new social media format, specifically designed for business will be. LinkedIN has done a great job of connecting people in business already. There are many forums available for exchanging ideas.

I think this is all great! I hope that you will "like' Hydraulics & Pneumatics on Facebook.

A Busy Time for Media

2011-11-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is a very busy time of the year for planners of advertising and all media. Even though many advertiser companies work on a fiscal year for their business, most companies plan their media placements on a calendar year basis.

That is why this time of year is always very busy for us in the media business. We put together proposals for advertising in our magazines, our our websites and e-newsletters, and for participation in our events. With that in mind, we are working very diligently to make sure that our advertising customers have all the information they need to make their decisions for the coming year.

Many years ago, of course, this was all done by mail and phone. We would print editorial calendars and mail them or hand them out to advertisers and prospective advertisers. Well, I still do use the printed calendar for many of my clients but I also use electronic means of communication to ensure that my clients have the information they need.

I am looking forward to another very good year in 2012 and that is why it is expecially critical for me to communicate with my clients and prospects about next year. In fact. I am going to get back to it right now. Contact me please if you need any media information.

25,066

2011-11-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

That is the number of digital subscribers there are to Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine. Considering that we started sending the issues out digitally in 2005, I think that we have come a long way. And that list is growing.

If for any reason, you have not yet seen our digital edition, please click here. You will find a digital version of our entire October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. At the very end, you can subscribe for free and I hope that you will.

Perhaps in future posts, I will be telling you about 30,000 readers, then 40,000, then more. I hope so.

Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference

2011-11-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Energy efficiency is a high priority for both designers and maintenance specialists involved with fluid power systems. Machinery users demand more efficiency in all aspects of the machines they are using.

To address these needs, there will be a conference next week in Chicago titled the Energy Efficiency Hydraulics and Pneumatics conference. For more information click here.

There is a great lineup of speakers planned for this event that will take place at the Rosemont Sheraton Hotel near O'Hare airport. The cost to attend is $325.

Finish the year strong

2011-11-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

The December issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics will feature our ususal excellent fluid power content. Leading with Medical Marvels in Pneumatics, our lineup also includes Materials in Hydraulic Fittings Selection, Aerospace and Defense, and Minimizing Contamination.

From all indications, 2012 should be another growth year for fluid power component manufacturers. That being the case, this is still a great time to invest in your brand awareness. That is where we can help you. With our print and online advertising opportunities in December, we will help you to finish the year strong.

Also in our December issue, Media Marts give our advertisers a low-cost opportunity to display their literature or product releases in a showcase of solutions. For more information, please contact me.

We are looking forward to another good year in 2012. Let's work together to make that happen by running right to the finish line for 2011.

Our Digital Issue is growing

2011-11-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

The only way that you would be interested in the digital issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics is if you are interested in fluid power. I know that. We don't pretend to be anything other than the very best fluid power magazine available to industry.

If you are interested and do not receive the magazine, please click here to see our digital edition. Go to the very end of the issue and sign up for your free subscription. We now have over 20,000 digital readers and I invite you to join them.

The reason that I will send it to you is because you are interested in fluid power, simple as that. If you are interested in fluid power and use fluid power components, work at a user company, design systems, work in the supply channel, or any other engagement with fluid power, our magazine is for you.

Since 1947, Hydraulics & Pneumatics has been producing and distributing the very best, most useful, most insightful fluid power information available. I am very proud to say that we continue that now.

Please check out our digital edition and sign up for your subscription. Thank you.

Join Us in 2012

2011-11-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

From all indications, we expect 2012 to be another solid performance year for the fluid power industry. This year and last year were, of course, both growth years and it is not stopping there.

I invite you to use our magazine, web products, and e-newsletters in 2012 to continue to grow the awareness of your company’s brand and of your specific products. Doing so will continue to grow your market share.

Please take a few moments to review the 2012 Media Guide that includes the 2012 Hydraulics & Pneumatics editorial calendar, mechanical specifications, and advertising rates. You will quickly see that we are planning for a great year editorially speaking. Starting with our Annual Designers Guide in January and continuing throughout the year, our fluid power content will once again be the best available in the world.

Our website is being redesigned to offer easier access to more content by our many web users. We will continue sending out our e-newsletter offerings to our opt-in readers and much more.

In 2012, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, will not only continue to serve you our advertisers by producing the very best media possible, we will make continue to improve in 2012. We want to grow our partnership with you by making our products even more valuable to all marketers of fluid power components, systems, materials, and related products.

We have an excellent team of professionals here at H&P ready to serve you in 2012. We look forward to seeing you at events, calling on you personally, and serving your media needs and goals. Let’s work together to make 2012 really great!

All about hydraulic pumps

2011-11-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

I know that today is November 1st. Wow. However, I still want to draw your attention to a feature in the October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics. It is the Product Spotlight on Pumps and it can be found on page 44 of our print and digital edition. If you have yet had a chance to sign up for a free digital subscription, please do so with the form at the very end of the digital edition.

This feature displays many of the products available from hydraulic pump manufacturers. This Spotlight includes a photograph and a brief description of each pump. For more information about hydraulic pumps, you can go to our Fluid Power Basics section of the H&P website and access the section on Pumps at any time.

Pay attention to fluid power fundamentals

2011-10-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

In the October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we ran a feature on reservoirs titled Selecting the right reservoir for off-road equipment. In this feature, the author calls out all of the important functions performed by hydraulic reservoirs.

He also discusses mobile applications of reservoirs and all of what is accomplished by reservoirs on off-road equipment. Materials, shapes, and custom products are all discussed in this October article. If you receive our magazine digitally, great and thank you. If you do not, click here, review the issue, and go to the very end to sign up for your free subscription.

If you would like to learn more about reservoirs, please refer to the Fluid Power Basics section of our website and check out the section on reservoirs. Here you will find basic fundamental information on all fluid power components. Go there often for great fluid power information.

Another Idea With Savings

2011-10-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Of course, energy effiency is the main topic today for cost savings. Usage of more efficient components and systems leads to cost savings.

In the October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we published an article titled Just in time for higher profits. In this article, we take a look at a material handling system that is very efficient by design leading to costs savings. There is more than one way for machinery to be efficient and here is an example of an efficent cargo loading and unloading system.

In every issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we offer our readers many ideas and often these are cost-saving ideas. Check out our October issue by clicking here. If you like what you see, go the very end of the issue and sign up for a free subscription.

Here is a sample

2011-10-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

The content of the topics presented at the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo held in Cleveland earlier this week was quality. Our speaker were all qualifed fluid power experts with a firm grasp of their subject. They were all very good presenters. Here is a sample.

The speaker is John Treharn of Parker Hannifin and he was this event's keynote speaker. His presentation included some history of hydraulics but, more importantly, the optimistic future of the industry. The title of his talk was The Rebirth of a Mature Industry.

The October Issue of H&P

2011-10-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

The digital editon of Hydraulics & Pneumatics is here. You can reads it online where you have access.

It features servopneumatics in robotic applications, reservoirs selection for off-highway applications, hydraulic pumps, and much more. Every issue of H&P is published in a digital format in addition to our printed and mailed copies.

We now have over 20,000 digital subscribers and you can subscribe by using the form at the end of this issue.

2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo Wrap Up

2011-10-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo is now completed and it was a very interesting and successful event in many ways. We had great speakers, great exhibits, very interested attendees, and tasty food.

The first day was kicked off with our keynote speaker, John Treharn who is the Vice President of Business Development for Parker Hannifin's Hydraulics Group. His talk was titled, Rebirth of a Mature Technology and it, of course referred to fluid power technology. His presentation was most optimistic and gave all in attendance a sense of hope for good things ahead for our industry.

One of our exhibitors, Hydrotech, provided two speakers on the first day also. The first was Russell Tackett of High Country Tek who spoke about Integrating Electronics with Hydraulic Valves and Manifolds. Their other speaker was a previous Expo presenter, Jon Frey of Bosch Rexroth and his topic was the Continuing Evolution and Design of Hydraulic Valves. Both presentations were very interesting, informative, and excellent.

Also on our first day schedule were Bob Sheaf and John Balliet who are both H&P partners and expert presentes. Bob's topics were Hydraulic System Diagnostics and Avoiding Pitfalls of Design Mistakes. Bob is just a great fluid power educator and the audience really appreciated his sessions. John, who has presented with us before spoke about the Fundamentals of Hydraulic Systems. As in the past, he was an audience favorite.

On the second day of the event, Yudi Raina of HyDraw gave a session on the ease of system design with his software package. Phil O'Neil of Bosch Rexroth was sponsored by Hydrotech and his topic was Energy Savings With Pneumatics. Both presentations were very well received by the audience. Bob and John had additional presentations on the second day as well.

We served a hot breakfast to all in attendance on both days. Our menu consisted of scrambled eggs, hashbrown potatos, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee, fruit, cereal, and more. Our lunch entrees included Chicken Cordonbleau, Pot Roast, Chick Marsala, and all that goes with it.

We are thrilled with the success of the event and look forward to future events.

Energy Efficiency in Pneumatics

2011-10-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Even though a lot of efficiency discussion involves hydraulics, energy efficient pneumatic systems will save fuel costs. It does cost a lot of money to run a compressor so it is necessary to be efficient with compressed air.

At the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo, Phil O'Neil of Bosch Rexroth Pneumatics is giving a presentation on this topic. He is sponsored by Hydrotech an exhibitor at the Expo and a Bosch Rexroth distritutor. You can learn more about Hydrotech by clicking here to go to their website

We appreciate not only their participation at the Fluid Power Conference & Expo but also we appreciate their orgainzing three excellent presentations including the Energy Efficiency in Pneumatics going on as I write this.

Designing Hydraulic Circuits Made Simple

2011-10-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

Our second presentation on Day 2 is being given by Yudi Raina of Vest, Inc. His is discussing circuit design problems and how to deal with them.

Vest Inc. is an exhibitor at the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo and you can find more information about them at there website. Vest is also a regular advertising in Hydraulics & Pneumatics and you can find their latest ad on page 23 of the October issue of H&P.

Day 2 of the Fluid Power Conference & Expo 2011

2011-10-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

The first speaker today is Bob Sheaf of CFC-Solar. His subject is Designing More Energy Efficient Systems. We are fortunate to have Bob on our speaker list this year because he is an expert on most fluid power topics.

Energy efficiency is certainly a top-of-mind subject for all manufacturers and distributors alike making this a very timely topic. Bob is sharing many excellent energy-concious tips for all in attendance.

Next Presentation Please

2011-10-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Continuing Evolution and Design of Hydraulic Valves by Jon Frey of Bosch Rexroth, sponsored by Hydrotech is our current topic. I know this may sound redundant but we are very fortunate and happy to have such experts here at the Fluid Power Conference & Expo.

Jon has presented very successfully before and we are grateful to him for being here and to Hydrotech for sponsoring him.

Thank you sponsors

2011-10-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

It is lunch time at the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo. Lunch is made possible by our sponsors and they are, Vest Inc., Webster Instrument, CFC-Solar, Lynch Fluid Controls, HyPac, Dura-Bar, International Fluid Power Society, Hydrotech, Western FluiDyne, and Faster Inc.

This is a traditional favorite at the Expo and this year is no exception. I thank all of our sponsors for being here and making this event possible.

Associate With Experts

2011-10-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Bob Sheaf of CFC-Solar is a real fluid power expert. We are very fortunate at H&P to associate with Bob and he writes a column every month titled Troubleshooting Challenge and it has become an ausience favorite.

The title of Bob's presentation today is Hydraulic System Diagnostics. He is discussing diagnostic indicators to consider and measure. Bob always attracts audience attention because of his expertise and smooth delivery. We are thrilled to have him at this year's event.

Integrating Electronics with Hydraulic Valves & Manifolds

2011-10-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Now that we have had an excellent overview on the fluid power industry and the markets served, we are now drilling down to specifics. Russell Tackett of High Country Tek sponsored by Hydrotech is presenting a talk on Integrating Electronics with Hydraulc Valves & Manifolds.

Hydrotech is an Ohio based fluid power distributor and they are participating in the Fluid Power Conference & Expo with a booth and three presentations of which Russell's is the first. In this presentation, we are looking at applications of electronics in various machines.

We still have a very attentive full audience which is very encouraging for our event. We still have a long way to go with this week's event.

Our industry has potential

2011-10-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

There is still great potential for fluid power technology even though it can be considered a mature technology. Rising fuel costs, environmental mandates, noise mandates, and anti-idling mandates all offer opportunities for fluid power to supply solutions.

At the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo is being held at the Cleveland City Center Hotel in downtown Cleveland. John Treharn of Parker Hannifin is making an excellent presentation about the drivers of change for hydraulics.

A growing world population and all of the needs that go with developing countries, creates challenges for governments and companies supplying for these needs. It is clear that fluid power offers solutions and these are being discussed today in Cleveland.

We are under way

2011-10-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo is under way. I had the privelige of introducing John Treharn, Vice President of Business Development at Parker Hannifin Corp. The title of John's talk is The Rebirth of a Mature Industry.

He is walking us through the early stages of the development of hydraulc technology. The room is full, the breakfast is great, and you still have time to get here.

Join us on Tuesday and Wednesday

2011-10-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo will be held this Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cleveland City Center Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza). We do have an outstanding lineup of fluid power speakers and topics ready for all attendees. We will also have lunch ready.

Our mission at Hydraulics & Pneumatics is to provide our audience the very best, most informative fluid power information available anywhere. We do this in print and online and, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will present this excellent content in person.

Just as in our magazine, we have fluid power engineering experts presenting ideas and education every month, we will have experts in person at the Fluid Power Conference & Expo. If you haven't done so already, please click here for registration. I hope to see you there.

Exciting news about the H&P website

2011-10-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

We at Hydraulics & Pneumatics are finally in the process of redesigning our website found here. Don't get me wrong, it is a very functional website that has had great web traffic. But, it is vintage 2005 and in the digital world, that is ancient.

We are in the process of updating and overhauling the website and we plan to roll it out at the first of the year. The good news is that it will contain all of the great content that currently exists there. That means several years of H&P articles, our Fluid Power Handbook & Directory, and Designers Guide will all appear on the new site.

This is an exciting time for us as we move forward to serve our advertisers and our readers better. We will also be including some new items in the redesign so please keep us in mind in your future web travels.

Attention Fluid Power Distributors, customers, and OEMs in the Midwest

2011-10-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a great opportunity for you ti continue your fluid power education. The Fluid Power Conference & Expo will be held in Cleveland on October 25-26, 2011 at the Cleveland City Center Hotel, formerly the Crowne Plaza.

For two days, fluid power experts will offer sessions on a variety of fluid power topics. To register, please click here. Speakers from Parker Hannifin, Bosch Rexroth, High Country Tek, and Vest will present current topics that will improve your fluid power systems. In addition, Bob Sheaf of CFC Solar and John Balliett, a local fluid power expert will conduct very informative fluid power sessions.

We will serve you lunch both days so don't miss it.

What advertising combination works best?

2011-10-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is the time of the year that many companies plan their upcoming calendar year marketing program. Many years ago, this meant, which magazines and which issues will they chose for print advertising.

Well, many years later, that is still part of the decision. For my clients, I always recommend a combination of print, online, and in-person marketing to reach the most potential buyers and specifiers possible with your advertising message.

That means, I recommend a print advertising program in Hydraulics & Pneumatics which is usually based on our editorial calendar for the year. That will be posted on our website shortly or you can request a copy from me at any time.

In addition to print advertising, I always recommend some online advertising as well. There are two basic forms of online in my recommendations, one is a come-to and the other is a go-to. The come-to is web based advertising where the advertiser places an ad on a website where potential customers go for information. In our case it is http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/ Here, they will find a great deal of content of interest.

The go-to takes the form of e-newsletters or e-blasts. We offer a content-rich Fluid Power Monthly with four sponsorship opportunities. We also offer a Product Source e-newsletter and an inquiry follow up e-blast called FasTrac.

There are many other opportunities online and I would like to have the opportunity to discuss these with anyone interested.

The last portion of this plan, of course, is made up of in-person events. In fact, we will be holding our 2011 in-person event next week and you are invited to attend. Here are some details http://insidepenton.com/machinedesign/Networking.html

First Last Chance Notice

2011-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

I know that everyone is busy. That is why I keep reminding you to register for the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo next week at the Cleveland City Center Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza) held on October 25-26.

Click here to see a list of the speakers, topics, and sponsors. It will not be the biggest fluid power in-person event ever. It won't even be the biggest Fluid Power Conference & Expo ever. It will be a quality event though. I thank all of our sponsors for making this educational event possible.

I thank you in advance if you choose to attend.

More about hydraulic hybrids

2011-10-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

In the upcoming October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics, we feature another report on hydraulic hybrids that once again discusses fuel savings. You will be seeing more about this subject in upcoming issues because hydraulic hybrid systems are changing the way both off- and on-highway hydraulics work.

For more education on all types of hydraulic systems, may I recommend your attending the upcoming Fluid Power Conference & Expo being held in Cleveland at the Cleveland City Center Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza) on October 25-26. For pre-registration please click here.

This two-day event will feature a full lineup of fluid power expert presenters on a variety of topics. Lunch is included both days with your registration and we will have a networking cocktail party on Tuesday evening, all inclusive.

I hope to see you there.

Fluid Power Conference & Expo with great presentations

2011-10-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

We have been presenting the Fluid Power Conference & Expo since 2005. The topics and presenters that we have lined up for this year are as good if not better than any of the previous events. I know that the lunch will be the best ever.

You still have time to register. You can also walk up on the day of the event which is October 25-26, 2011. Here is a list of the presenters:

John Treharn, Parker Hannifin
Russell Tackett, High Country Tek
Bob Sheaf, CFD-Solar, a fluid power instructor - 4 sessions
Jon Frey, Bosch Rexroth
John Balliett, Fluid Systems Service - 2 sessions
Yudi Raina, Vest, Inc.
Phil O'Neil, Bosch Rexroth

It promises to be a rewarding event for all attendees.

October H&P

2011-10-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Our cover story for the October 2011 issue features Servopneumatics. In this article, our editors review a pneumatically-powered, controlled contact device mounted to a robot arm giving the machine a sense of touch. Please click here for more details.

Every issue of H&P is full of such information. If you subscribe already, you know that. If you don't please go to our website for a subscription form.

Also reported in our October issue will be a preview of the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo. The event will be held in Cleveland and I invite you to click here for a full preview. If you would like to register in advance, you can do so on our registration page. That can be accessed on our Expo website.

If you are undecided about attending but still interested, just walk up on October 25 or 26. We will still serve you lunch. I hope to see you there.

A change in the schedule

2011-10-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

The speaker linuep has changed slightly for the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo being held next week in Cleveland. Actually, the name of the venue has changed also.

First, John Balliett, a fluid power expert and long-time presenter will be speaking at this year's event. On Tuesday, October 25th, John will present Fundamental of Hydraulic Systems. This session will take place at 2:15 pm.

On Wednesday, John will wrap up the event with a presentation on Basic Hydraulics and Troubleshooting. We look forward to John's talks as he has very successfully presented at our Expo in the past.

Now, the name of the hotel has changed from Crowne Plaza to Cleveland City Centre. This is part of a complete renovation and transition to another major hotel chain that will probably be announced soon. However, the location and setup remain the same.

So, if you haven't done so already, please go to our registration page to register in advance for the event. If you are undecided, we will be happy to accomodate your registration at the door next Tuesday.

A sneak preview of our October issue

2011-10-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

You can get a sneak preview of the October issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics by clicking here. Actually, you can see a long list of archived issues of H&P at this site.

Every article and every product review done in our magazine is also released on our website. So, if you seem to remember an article that you read in H&P but can't remember when, go to the archive and you will find it.

If you prefer to read articles on line, this is also a place to find excellent fluid power reading. I hope that you are also a subscriber to either our print or digital editions. If you are not and you would like to be, please contact me.

Print, Online, In Person

2011-10-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

In 2011, the Business-to-Business communication is complex. There are many ways to reach your customers and prospects with your sales message. There are many ways for customers to reach out to vendors and suppliers.

Our participation at Hydraulics & Pneumatics is still grouped into three main categores. Of course, we print a monthly magazine that is also distributed digitally. We have many online offerings and we are, in fact, currently redesigning our website.

The third component of this marketing mix is the in-person portion. Many end-use markets hold tradeshows that include some fluid power. Our participation is two-fold. One, we participate in many of the end-use market tradeshows.

Secondly, we hold the Fluid Power Conference & Expo. Our intent is to provide a forum for vendors and customers to meet and exchange ideas. The next event will be held in Cleveland on October 25-26, 2011. Please click here to register to attend. Of course, you are also welcome to walk-up on the day of the event. We hope to see you there.

Rebirth of a Mature Technology coming on October 25

2011-10-14T04:39:00.000-07:00

At the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo, John Treharn will present the keynote talk on Hydraulics: The Rebirth of a Mature Technology. I am very interested to hear this talk and I hope that you are too.

Please come to the event at the Crowne Plaza in Cleveland and you will hear several other great presentations, visit several booths with current fluid power technology on display, and have lunch on us.

To register in advance, please go to our site. Or, you can feel free to walk-in on the day of the Fluid Power Conference & Expo. Again, it will take placeon October 25-26, 2011 starting with breakfast at 8:00 am.

We hope to see you there.

Two more timely and interesting fluid power topics

2011-10-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

At the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo being held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Cleveland on October 25-16, 2011, we will have several fluid power exhibits and many timely topics.

Yudi Raina of Vest, Inc. will explain how to design hydraulic circuits with HyDraw CAD. Vest, Inc. has exhibited at the Expo in the past and the presentation promises to be both interesting and very helpful to designers.

Russell Tackett of HcT will give a presentation on Integrating Electronics with Hydraulic Valves and Manifolds. This has been a very interesting trend in fluid power for several years and Tackett will shed new light on the subject.

You can register today for the event by clicking here. Remember that your attendance includes lunch and breakfast both days. We hope to see you there.

Why the Fluid Power Conference & Expo

2011-10-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

Back in 2005, we at Hydraulics & Pneumatics took a look at the trade shows available for technical people to attend. Fluid power was included in several different market-specific events like agriculture and packaging. The only fluid power event was the IFPE every four years.

We consided what it is about an event that will attract technical people and we concluded that it was both the products on display and the content of the technical sessions. Thus the Fluid Power Conference & Expo was born where exhibitors of products could also bring in their technical people to talk to prospective buyers. It has worked well for the past six years.

This year, the event will be held at the Cleveland Crowne Plaza hotel on October 25-26, 2011. Please click here for details on getting signed up to attend. And, by the way, we will be serving free lunch both days to all attendees. I hope to see you there.

Major topics at the Fluid Power Conference & Expo

2011-10-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

Bosch Rexroth and Hydrotech will be teaming up at the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo to present some timely and informative sessions. Hydrotech, of course, is the Bosch Rexroth distributor for the area where the Expo will be held.

Jon Frey of Bosch Rexroth will give a talk on the Continuing Evolution and Design of Hydraulic Valves on the first day of the event, Tuesday, October 19th at noon. Then on Wednesday at 11:00 am, Phil O'Neil of Bosch Rexroth will present Energy Savings with Pneumatics. These are the kinds of topics that our attendees prefer and will benefit from hearing

On both days, lunch will be served by us for all in attendance. You can still register by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you there.

Come and learn from the fluid power expert

2011-10-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled at Hydraulics & Pneumatics to be partnering with Bob Sheaf of CFC Solar. Perhaps you have read his Troubleshooting Challenge article in Hydraulics & Pneumatics every month.

Now we are offering you an opportunity to come and learn directly from Bob at our 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo being held in Cleveland on October 25-26, 2011. Here is the schedule of speakers that includes Bob, click here.

There is more. If you register here to attend the event, we will serve you breakfast and lunch both days and a beverage at the end of the first day. This two-day event offers you the opportunity to learn more about fluid power from a group of experts, interface with industry professionals, and enjoy a two-day experience where everything is provided.

Come and learn from Bob Sheaf and the other fluid power experts.

Great Fluid Power Presentations

2011-10-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

I think that you will really enjoy and benefit from these great presentations. Click here for the list. For just $100 you get all of this plus breakfast and lunch for two days.

Please go to our Expo website for registration. Don't delay, the big event will take place on October 25-26, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Cleveland.

Please contact me for details michael.ference@penton.com

Plan to attend on October 25-26

2011-10-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

As you know, we will be holding the 2011 Fluid Power Conference & Expo in Cleveland on October 25-26 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Cleveland. We have a great lineup of speakers including John Treharn of Parker Hannifin and Bob Sheaf, a fluid power educator.

Please see the list http://www.fluidpowerexpo.com/sessions

If you would spread the word among your employees and customers to encourage them to attend, that would be appreciated. Here is the link to register.
http://www.fluidpowerexpo.com/attend
If your employees or customers simply say that they were referred by your company, we will discount their attendance to just $100 for the two-day event. Please keep in mind that this includes all of the sessions and breakfast and lunch both days. It is a great value for anyone interested in fluid power.

I hope to see you there.

What do you get from a tradeshow?

2011-10-07T05:09:00.000-07:00

Well, you get to see lots of exhibits and talk to many informative representatives from companies interested in working with you. That is how it has been done for many years and it is effective. We have changed the focus with our Fluid Power Conference & Expo.

You will still meet with and learn from representatives of our sponsor companies. At the same time, you will receive some excellent fluid power presentations from industry experts. In addittion, we will feed you lunch.

Come to our event on October 25-26 to sharpen your fluid power knowledge. Register here.