Reliable Hydraulic Equipment for the Auto Industry
With reliable hydraulic equipment, the auto industry is producing at all-time highs, whether the assembly line is powered by people or robotics. Specifically, this includes the following hydraulic equipment:
- Hydraulic pumps
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Hydraulic bolting tools (hydraulic torque wrenches)
- Hydraulic nut splitters and hydraulic pullers
Together, these hydraulic tools are essential for lifting, pushing, pulling and fastening automotive components into place. Given their important role, hydraulic equipment used in the automotive industry must be reliable above all else. The best way to ensure this reliability is by partnering with a hydraulic equipment expert.
Hydraulic Pumps Power Other Automotive Hydraulic Equipment
The hydraulic pump provides the flow that your hydraulic cylinders, bolting tools, pullers and nut splitters rely on. As the system’s engine, your hydraulic pump must be reliable and built for the task. For many manufacturers in the auto industry, this means a hydraulic pump that offers the following features:
- A strong weight-to-power ratio – the hydraulic pump packs a lot of punch in a small, lightweight package. That means maximum output and mobility.
- Reliable flow delivery – the hydraulic pump is able to maintain superior flow rates even at maximum pressures.
- Customizability – the hydraulic pump can be augmented to fit any application in the auto industry, ensuring maximum compatibility, reliability and operating efficiency.
- Durability – the hydraulic pump should be manufactured by a brand that’s respected for its construction and quality assurance processes.
- Remote operation – the hydraulic pump can be operated from a safe distance to keep workers out of harm’s way.
Power Team’s PE55 hydraulic pump fulfills the important requirements above. Power Team has an excellent reputation in the auto industry, as it’s known for its reliable construction practices. The PE55 is also fully customizable (with different valve sets, for example), offers the best power-to-weight ratio among all Power Team hydraulic pumps, and is capable of maintaining superior flow at maximum pressures.
Hydraulic Cylinders Provide Needed Lifting and Pushing Force
Hydraulic cylinders are versatile and useful hydraulic tools capable of outputting impressive amounts of linear force when attached to a hydraulic pump. In the auto industry, hydraulic cylinders are primarily used to lift and position frames during manufacturing.
When selecting a hydraulic cylinder for the auto industry, the following are important:
- Durability – Durability is what ensures a hydraulic cylinder is reliable. Worthwhile durability features include solid steel body construction, oversized aluminum bearings (for handling off-center loading), oversized springs (for better durability and stroking efficiency), removable rubber boots for safer storage and a chrome-plated piston rod to prevent corrosion.
- Versatility – A versatile hydraulic cylinder is a valuable hydraulic cylinder, as it can be placed in a variety of operating conditions and settings while doing its job. Versatility features include standardized collar threads (for easier fixturing applications), an array of accessories for the hydraulic cylinder’s rod and base, and built-in mounting holes for easy placement and additional safety.
Power Team’s C258C hydraulic cylinder provides the above durability and versatility features for auto industry settings. As such, it’s a popular choice for lifting and positioning applications during automotive manufacturing.
Hydraulic Bolting Tools Provide Reliable Fastening for Automotive Manufacturing
Automotive manufacturing requires lots of fastening. In fact, the typical vehicle contains thousands of fasteners, each of which must be bolted to a specific torque. Hydraulic bolting tools – torque wrenches specifically – are what apply this precise fastening force. When selecting one for your assembly lines, consider the following:
- The torque wrench’s operating torque range and its ability to apply a specified, exact amount of torquing force reliably.
- The torque wrench’s material construction. Bolting tools are available in steel and aluminum body constructions, each of which offer their own advantages. Steel provides unmatched durability while aluminum weighs much less and offers superior corrosion resistance.
- The torque wrench’s body design. Torque wrenches are available in a single-body design, which means better durability, and cassette body designs which allow the operator to easily switch out components for different fastener sizes. Cassette-style torque wrenches are also more compact and fit into tighter spaces as a result.
Many torque wrenches, including those manufactured by top brands, are also built with safety features, including hands-free operation (with the right accessories installed). If your operators are challenged to work efficiently while cycling the torque wrench constantly, then safety features should be a priority to prevent accidents.
Hydraulic Nut Splitters and Pullers Provide Access to Automotive Workers
Hydraulic pullers and nut splitters play a bigger role in auto servicing and maintenance, but they are also found in auto manufacturing settings. Both allow operators to crack through stuck or damaged fasteners, either by breaking the nut or using a puller to remove a fastener or other obstruction.
Hydraulic nut splitters are purely for cracking fasteners, and reliable models are built to accommodate a range of A/F sizes and can output an array of tonnages. Hydraulic pullers are also used with fasteners, but can also remove other components, like bearings and gears. They are available in a variety of designs, but a three-jaw model offers the best reliability, as the additional jaw improves stability during operation.
Whether for Manufacturing or Maintenance, Reliable Hydraulic Tools are Vital for the Auto Industry
Automotive assembly lines are designed to keep moving at a steady pace, otherwise manufacturers are looking at major losses due to stalled production. A trusted hydraulic equipment supplier and technician can identify the right hydraulic pumps, cylinders, bolting tools, nut splitters and pullers for your application. Further, they can provide ongoing maintenance for your hydraulic equipment, ensuring it remains functional, efficient and reliable.