One of our readers wrote to me recently about the following problem:

“ I am having problems with the boom on my crane creeping down. How do I determine if it’s the valve or cylinder that’s leaking?”

A popular misconception about hydraulic cylinders is that if the piston seal is leaking, the cylinder can creep down. Fact is, if the piston seal is completely removed from a double-acting cylinder, the cylinder is completely filled with oil and the ports are plugged, the cylinder will hold its load indefinitely - unless the rod-seal leaks. What happens under these conditions - due to the unequal volume either side of the piston, is fluid pressure equalizes and the cylinder becomes hydraulically locked. Once this occurs, the only way the cylinder can move is if fluid escapes from the cylinder via its ports or rod seal.

Bijur Delimon International, a global leader in automated lubrication systems for manufacturing equipment, has launched a new web site-- www.luberevolution.com-- dedicated to the needs of the packaging, bottling and process industries.

The purpose of the site is to give engineers access to an interactive tool they can use to explore a variety of standard and innovative lubrication solutions offered by Bijur Delimon International. It only takes a minute or two to enter the type of lubricator (pneumatic, electric, manual, single-point), lubrication metering device (series progressive block or injector) and the number of points they need to lubricate. Then the tool generates a system ideally suited to these requirements.

FORT WORTH, Texas, USA (July 10, 2006) – Lubrication Engineers International AG (LE International) & its global team of LE distributors has enjoyed an excellent six months of sales in their industrial & automotive lubricants business. The first half of 2006 has also brought growth in their LE distributor network – important ‘new business’ for the international sales & marketing arm of LE Inc. LE International is pleased to have appointed new LE distributors in four countries so far this year: Conetrueblue Investments in Panama, Intelicorp SA in Peru, Puerto Rico Industrial Oil Supplies Inc (PRIOS) in Puerto Rico and Segra d.o.o. in Slovenia. Further appointments are being targeted in Latin America and Eastern Europe for the remainder of the year. LE International is proud to be represented by a professional group of over 60 LE distributors worldwide.

Leading analytical X-ray specialist, PANalytical, has launched Oil-Trace, an innovative new package that enables complete XRF analysis of all types of fuels, oils and oil derivatives.

Running under PANalytical’s established SuperQ analysis software, Oil-Trace has been specifically designed to overcome the traditional challenges associated with XRF analysis of oils. By automatically correcting for dark-matrix composition as well as variations in sample density and volume, it dramatically reduces the number of calibrations normally needed for different sample types. Analysis is accurate and reliable over a wide concentration range (0-100%).

IDEX Corp., a Northbrook-based manufacturer of mechanical products, announced Tuesday it sold its lubricant dispensing subsidiary Lubriquip Inc. in a move that analysts say underscores the company’s bent for high-margin business.

The specific terms of the sale to Minneapolis, Minn.-based Graco Inc. were not disclosed. But IDEX said in a statement that the sale of Lubriquip, which accounted for just under 3 percent of the company’s revenues in fiscal 2005, will bring in after-tax gains of $16 to $17 million and allow the firm to “focus on core strengths.”

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Condition monitoring of machinery lubricants is an established method of predicting and avoiding impending machinery breakdown. Now, with Kittiwakes’ Ferrous Debris Monitoring technology, worn machinery parts can be identified early and replaced before any serious damage occurs.

The ANALEX range of Ferrous Debris Monitors from Kittiwake Developments Limited provide the most accurate means of detecting and measuring ferrous wear debris in lubricating oils, hydraulic oils and greases. The rugged, compact and stable monitors deliver retrievable data quickly and simply, ensuring fast, accurate and consistent management of lube condition samples. Ideal for all industrial sectors from power plants, to mines and quarries, railways and heavy construction, the latest addition to Kittiwake’s range, the ANALEX FDM Ferrous Debris Monitor, improves production efficiency, reduces equipment downtime and increases operational profitability wherever it is utilised.

ANDEROL Inc., a leading worldwide manufacturer of synthetic lubricants, is showcasing its industry-proven synthetic lubricant portfolio at the Global Petroleum Show 2006.  These high-performance lubricants serve a wide variety of applications, particularly compressors and pumps, in the oil & gas and petrochemical industries. Oil & gas processors visiting booth # 6072 also will learn how ANDEROL’s lubrication solutions can enhance the life of their equipment and operations.