www.hpmag.co.uk OCTOBER 2026 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS VOL. 31 No. 7 OCTOBER 2026 p26 p20 p32 Preventing tomorrow’s occupational lung disease LAMMA 2027 to showcase the latest in agricultural machinery and technology Before you replace the pneumatic cylinder Can fluid power keep pace with the UK’s renewable energy expansion?
Empowering Industry with High Quality Fluid Power Components Search and order the right product for your application... and so Test Points The STAUFF Clamping System is the flagship in a vast range of high quality products Hose Quick Release Couplings Sheffield Tel: 0114 251 8518 Email: uk.sales@stauff.com Aberdeen Tel: 01224 786166 Email: uk.absales@stauff.com Ireland Tel: 02892 606900 Email: uk.irsales@stauff.com STAUFF Connect (DIN 2353) Adaptors Hose Protection
Industrial growth needs more than Budget promises EDITOR’S COMMENT www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 3 From increasingly intelligent hydraulic systems to more efficient compressed air installations, the opportunities to improve productivity and reduce energy consumption are considerable. ‘ ’ As this magazine goes to press, the Autumn Budget is fast approaching, representing an important test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the Chancellor, John Healey. While the detail of the Chancellor’s announcements remains unknown at the time of writing, the real question for Britain’s manufacturing and engineering sectors, including those operating in hydraulics and pneumatics, is whether the Government will create the conditions needed for sustained industrial growth. For a Prime Minister who has placed considerable emphasis on revitalising communities and strengthening the economy beyond Westminster, expectations are understandably high. But turning political ambition into economic reality is rarely straightforward, and the forthcoming Budget will provide an important indication of how the Government intends to deliver on its ambitions. British manufacturers continue to face significant challenges. High energy costs, rising employment expenses, persistent skills shortages and uncertainty over future investment are placing considerable pressure on businesses already competing in demanding global markets. For companies involved in fluid power, whether supplying components, designing systems or providing essential maintenance and repair services, these pressures are particularly relevant. At the same time, industry is being encouraged to embrace automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and decarbonisation. These are essential elements of a competitive industrial future, and hydraulics and pneumatics have an important role to play in supporting them. From increasingly intelligent hydraulic systems to more efficient compressed air installations, the opportunities to improve productivity and reduce energy consumption are considerable. However, such improvements require investment, skilled people and, perhaps most importantly, business confidence. And confidence is difficult to build when operating costs remain unpredictable. For engineers the challenges are particularly tangible. Improving system reliability, extending equipment life, reducing downtime and increasing energy efficiency are everyday priorities, often delivered against increasingly constrained budgets. In the hydraulics and pneumatics sector, these priorities can have a significant impact. Poorly maintained hydraulic equipment, compressed air leaks, inefficient system design and ageing components can all contribute to unnecessary energy consumption and lost productivity. Addressing these issues may not attract the headlines associated with major industrial investment, but the cumulative benefits to British industry should not be underestimated. There is a tendency for industrial policy to focus on major new projects, emerging technologies and high-profile investment announcements. While these are undoubtedly important, the Government must not overlook the enormous economic value of maintaining and modernising the industrial infrastructure Britain already possesses. Investment in existing machinery, improved maintenance practices, energyefficient fluid power systems and workforce development can deliver substantial productivity gains without the need for entirely new facilities. The same applies to the transition towards a lower-carbon economy. Industry recognises the importance of reducing emissions, but businesses need a practical and affordable route towards achieving those ambitions without sacrificing international competitiveness. For hydraulics and pneumatics businesses, that means ensuring the technologies, expertise and investment needed to improve system efficiency remain accessible and commercially viable. For Burnham and Healey, the challenge is therefore about more than balancing the nation’s books. It is about demonstrating that the Government understands what businesses need to invest with confidence, improve productivity and create skilled employment. Aaron Blutstein Editor
www.essentracomponents.co.uk MAKING IT EASIER 0345 528 0474 sales@essentracomponents.co.uk PROTECTION FROM HOSE TO CONNECTION THOUSANDS OF COMPONENT SOLUTIONS, READY WHEN YOU NEED THEM. Protect critical equipment with Essentra Components’ extensive range of protection components, from hose protection to hydraulic fittings and connection solutions, designed for demanding industrial environments. With UK manufacturing, a global manufacturing network and stock available locally, we combine product availability with expert technical support to help you find the right solution, quickly and confidently. From construction and agricultural vehicles to mobile hydraulics and heavy machinery, our protection solutions help safeguard vital components, minimise exposure to damage and keep your equipment performing at its best. Contact our local experts 70 YEARS EXPERIENCE MANUFACTURING IN THE UK FREE SAMPLES FAST DESPATCH SPIRALGUARD FLUID ABSORPTION PLUG HEXAGONAL CAPS THREADED O-RING PLUG HOSE PROTECTION SLEEVES THREADED PROTECTION CAPS THREADED PLUGS MULTI FLEXI CAPS SNAP FIT PLUGS HOSE CLAMPS
www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 5 CONTENTS EDITORIAL Editor: Aaron Blutstein t| 01732 370340 e| editorial@dfamedia.co.uk Content Sub Editor: Leslah Garland t| 01732 370340 e| leslah.garland@dfamedia.co.uk SALES Sales Manager, UK & Overseas: Andrew Jell t| 01732 370347 e| andrew.jell@dfamedia.co.uk Italian Sales Office: Oliver & Diego Casiraghi t| 031 261407 f| 031 261380 e| info@casiraghi.info Turkey: Intersmart Media meltem@intersmartmedia.co.uk Managing Director: Ryan Fuller t| 01732 370344 e| ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Production Manager & Designer: Chris Davis t| 01732 370340 e| chris.davis@dfamedia.co.uk Reader/Circulation Enquiries: Perception e| dfamedia@dmags.co.uk Marketing Manager Hope Jepson e| hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Finance Department e| accounts@dfamedia.co.uk Published by: DFA Media Group, 192 The High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE t| 01732 370340 e| info@dfamedia.co.uk w| www.hpmag.co.uk In co-operation with H&P is a controlled circulation magazine, published 8 times a year. Please contact DFA Media with any subscription enquiries. Paid subscriptions are also available on an annual basis at £110.00 (UK), £145.00 (Europe) or £180.00 (Rest of the World) P+P included. The content of this magazine, website and newsletters do not necessarily express the views of the Editor or publishers. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising from information in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. 20 24 6 NEWS 14 HYDRAULICS 20 PNEUMATICS When pneumatic cylinder performance becomes slow or inconsistent, replacing the actuator may treat the symptom rather than the cause. A systematic investigation of pressure, airflow, valves, exhausts, air quality and mechanical loading can reveal where the real problem lies and help prevent unnecessary component changes and repeat failures. Palak Sheth reports. 22 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS NeodraDynamics Robotics has unveiled a four-metre hydraulic-electric humanoid robot designed to combine heavy-load handling with precision manipulation, highlighting the potential of digital hydraulic actuation in demanding industrial environments. H&P reports. 24 APPLICATIONS 26 KNOWLEDGE BASE The relaunch of the British Safety Industry Federation’s Clean Air? Take Care! campaign comes at an important time for occupational health, explains John Hooker, Chief Executive Officer at the British Safety Industry Federation. 28 COMPRESSED AIR, VACUUM, AND GENERAT0RS 30 SPECIAL REPORTS The expansion of renewable energy infrastructure is creating new demands for hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, but reliability, efficiency and application-specific engineering will determine where these technologies offer the greatest value. H&P reports. 35 BFPA Hydraulics & Pneumatics’ issue-by-issue briefing on current activities and views involving the British Fluid Power Association. 38 BCAS Our regular news and events update on the British Compressed Air Society. 46 NEW FACES 47 PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY 29 Subscribe for your FREE copy now Printer: Warners, UK © Copyright 2026, DFA Manufacturing Media Ltd ISSN 1366-1981 Audit Bureau of Circulation – Average net circulation 10,015 January 2024 to December 2024
NEWS 6 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk DFA Media Group has announced the launch of Motion Tech Expo (5-6 April 2028), a new exhibition aimed at filling a gap in the UK engineering events calendar and giving the motion technology sector a dedicated platform of its own once again. Taking place at the NEC alongside MACH, Motion Tech Expo marks a return to familiar territory for the publishing and events group, whose team has decades of experience bringing the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors together. The new exhibition will cover motion, drives, fluid power, industrial automation, compressed air, monitoring and analytics, and clean energy, reflecting the way manufacturing operates today, where these technologies increasingly work together to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability. For DFA Media Group, the launch represents an opportunity to re-establish a dedicated meeting place for a sector that has traditionally played an important role in the UK’s industrial exhibition calendar, while developing an event that reflects the technologies, challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers. Ryan Fuller, Managing Director of DFA Media Group, explained: “Every industry deserves an event it can call its own. Over recent years, there has been a real gap in the market for the motion technology sector, and we’ve had countless conversations with manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners who wanted to see that change. “Motion Tech Expo has been created to give the industry a dedicated platform once again, one that brings together technology, expertise and practical learning in an environment built specifically for this community. “We want this to be somewhere engineers can see technology working, discuss their challenges with people who understand them and explore solutions that could make a real difference to their businesses. It’s about bringing the industry together and making those opportunities available right here, right now.” The exhibition will be structured around four key technology pillars: Drives, Motion & Fluid Power; Air Systems & Efficiency; Monitoring, Data & Analytics; and Hydrogen & Clean Energy. Together, these reflect some of the most important areas influencing industrial performance, bringing together the equipment, systems and expertise that manufacturers rely on to improve productivity, reliability and energy efficiency. Alongside the exhibition, visitors will have access to a comprehensive seminar programme featuring expert insight into the technical and operational challenges facing industry, as well as a dedicated association hub designed to encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing and closer engagement between industry bodies and the wider engineering community. Practical demonstrations and opportunities for hands-on interaction with equipment and software will also play an important role, allowing visitors to explore how technologies work in real industrial applications. An important aspect of Motion Tech Expo will be its emphasis on how these technologies increasingly work together. Motion systems, compressed air, clean energy and industrial data are closely connected within manufacturing operations, with advances in monitoring, analytics and intelligent software providing new opportunities to improve efficiency, anticipate maintenance requirements and make better-informed operational decisions. By bringing these disciplines together, the new event aims to give visitors a broader understanding of how individual technologies contribute to overall industrial performance and how their integration can support more reliable, efficient and sustainable operations over the longer term. Motion Tech Expo launches to give the sector a dedicated home again Made in Britain unveils the 2026 Impact Awards shortlist From businesses with over 200 years of manufacturing heritage to those developing cutting-edge technologies for electric vehicles and industrial maintenance, the shortlist for the UK’s “most ambitious” manufacturing awards has been revealed. The Made in Britain 2026 Impact Awards will see manufacturers from across the UK compete in eight categories celebrating sustainability, social impact, innovation, heritage, marketing, procurement, exporting and leadership. Taking place on Wednesday 4th November, this year’s ceremony will celebrate the remarkable breadth of British manufacturing. The shortlist spans precision engineering, advanced acoustic technology, water filtration and electronics, alongside manufacturers specialising in skincare, accessible playground equipment, lighting, architectural terracotta and the iconic lava lamp. John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said: “The 2026 Impact Awards shortlist captures British manufacturing at its most dynamic, and certainly its most ambitious. We have businesses drawing on generations of accumulated knowledge alongside manufacturers pushing into technologies such as advanced acoustics and precision engineering. The sheer range of expertise
NEWS 8 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk represented is truly extraordinary. “What is particularly exciting is how readily manufacturing heritage and emerging technology now sit side by side. Longestablished expertise continues to evolve, while newer manufacturers are building the skills and technologies that could become part of our next generation of manufacturing heritage. “The sheer breadth of this shortlist proves there is no single measure of impact in British manufacturing. Whether through innovation, leadership, exports or the contribution businesses make to their communities, these manufacturers are creating value in remarkably different ways. We are immensely proud to bring them together through the Impact Awards and to celebrate the people and ideas shaping what British manufacturing becomes next.” The Made in Britain Impact Awards recognises manufacturers across eight categories: Sustainability Initiative of the Year, Social Impact in Manufacturing, Innovation of the Year, Heritage Manufacturer of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Excellence in Procurement, Heroes of British Export and Inspiring Leader of the Year. Organised and hosted by not-for-profit trade organisation Made in Britain, the awards are open exclusively to manufacturers that have gained the right to use the internationally recognised Made in Britain trademark, which 70% of UK adults surveyed by YouGov said would make them more likely to purchase a non-food product. To explore the full shortlist, please visit: www.madeinbritain.org/news/the-shortlist-impact-awards2026-sept-26 MTC has officially opened a new training centre in North Tyneside designed to help address skills shortages and build the pipeline of engineering and manufacturing talent available to employers across the North East. Based at Cobalt Park, MTC Training Tyneside is expected to support more than 40 apprentices in its first year, growing to over 100 annually as its training provision expands. Once fully established, the centre is expected to have around 300 learners enrolled on programmes at any one time. The opening comes as the government and regional leaders look to drive growth in high-value industries, boost productivity and create skilled jobs across the UK’s industrial regions. Delivering that growth will require a workforce with the right skills, at a time when businesses are already struggling to recruit. In the North East, home to 663 active advanced manufacturing firms, around 59% of vacancies are hard to fill and more than 37% are linked to specific skills shortages, according to the North East Evidence Hub. Drawing on MTC Training’s established presence in Coventry, Liverpool and Oxfordshire, the new Tyneside centre will bring its training offer closer to North East businesses. Through apprenticeships and wider opportunities to upskill and reskill existing workforces, the centre will respond to the needs of local industry while helping develop the talent required to support ambitions for future industrial growth. Commenting on how the new centre will support employers across the North East, David Grailey, Managing Director of MTC Training, said: “The North East has a proud industrial heritage and is home to some of the UK’s most important manufacturing industries. Maintaining that strength means ensuring businesses have access to the skilled people they need to grow, adopt new technologies and remain competitive. “MTC Training Tyneside allows us to respond directly to manufacturers in the region, developing skills locally and working with employers as their requirements evolve. In doing so, we can help businesses build their future workforce, support growth in the North East and strengthen the UK’s industrial capability.” The centre’s initial training offer has been shaped by feedback from North East employers, who identified a shortage of the skills and knowledge needed to work with increasingly complex equipment as manufacturing becomes more automated. In response, Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician and Engineering Fitter apprenticeships are among the first programmes to be delivered. The programmes will provide a route into engineering and manufacturing careers, with the majority of MTC Training apprentices remaining with their employer after completing their training and progressing into specialised roles such as Engineering Technician, Reliability and Maintenance Technician and Service Engineer. The first apprentices to train at the new centre, including Molly (23) and Layla (19) – both from the local Tyneside area – will begin their training this autumn, with further cohorts expected from early 2027. The development of MTC Training Tyneside has been supported by Lloyds Banking Group. This forms part of a wider strategic partnership, where Lloyds has committed £18.5million to the end of 2029. This has supported more than 5,000 apprentices, graduates and engineers through MTC to date, which is set to increase in line with the new Tyneside opening. MTC Training Tyneside was officially opened today by Dr Graham Hoare OBE, CEO of MTC, at an event bringing together businesses, partners and stakeholders from across the North East. Guests toured the new facilities, watched practical training demonstrations and met apprentices from MTC Training Tyneside’s inaugural class. Tyneside training centre to support 100+ new apprentices a year Left to right: Molly and Layla, part of the first cohort of apprentices to be trained at MTC Training Tyneside
sales@boschrexroth.co.uk www.boschrexroth.co.uk Can you shorten cycle times and save energy? Absolutely, With our highly efficient internal gear pumps.
NEWS www.hpmag.co.uk Manufacturers hail instant impact of digital leadership programme North West manufacturers are turning ambitious AI, automation and digital transformation plans into action after sharpening their leadership skills with Made Smarter. The Government-backed Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme has now supported 145 leaders from 125 manufacturers, with alumni crediting it with changing how they plan, prioritise and lead digital change. From developing clearer strategies and roadmaps to engaging teams and managing change, participants say the programme has given them practical tools and greater confidence to turn ambition into impact. Ronan Hafferty, Owner of Irlam-based Hafferty Interiors, a manufacturer of luxury bespoke interiors for high-end residential and commercial clients, said LDT encouraged him to rethink his role as a leader. “It’s made me realise that successful projects come from planning properly, engaging the right people from the start and making sure everyone understands where you’re trying to get to,” he said. “As we’ve grown, I’ve become involved in sales, purchasing and a bit of everything else, and I’ve realised that’s actually holding the business back. If we’re going to keep growing, I need to spend more time working on the business rather than being involved in every decision.” Hafferty Interiors is now applying that more structured approach as it develops the next stage of its digital transformation, empowering the wider team to play a greater role while progressing plans to embed AI across the customer journey, invest in CNC technology and develop a client portal. Sharron Watson, Managing Director of Bolton-based The Awning Company, which designs and manufactures bespoke vehicle awnings and structures for customers including Red Bull, Williams, Goodyear, Pirelli and M-Sport, said the programme had helped turn the company’s digital ambitions into a clearer, phased plan. “One of the biggest lessons for me was that you don’t have to do everything at once,” she said. “My instinct was to go straight to some of the bigger projects, like an online configurator and more automated customer journeys, but the programme encouraged me to break those ambitions into manageable phases. “Focusing on some early wins first has given us a much clearer route forward and made those bigger projects feel much more achievable.” The wider cohort includes Haydock-based VitrineAlu, a manufacturer of bespoke aluminium glazing products; Dukinfield workwear and chefwear manufacturer Tibard; Salford commercial lighting manufacturer Ricoman; Holmes Chapelbased Avocet Materials Group, an advanced manufacturer of high-performance components and materials; Stockport cast iron radiator manufacturer Castrads; Wigan-based Homestyle Kitchens, a manufacturer of bespoke kitchens and fitted furniture; and Preston-based Amtrim, which manufactures bespoke marine canopies, covers and upholstery. Across those businesses, delegates are applying their learning to sharpen strategy, improve planning and stakeholder engagement, challenge processes before digitising them, and better align investment in people and technology. In turn, those skills are supporting projects involving AI, automation and robotics, data and dashboards, connected systems and customerfacing technology. LDT is a 14-week programme for current and emerging manufacturing leaders, delivered with Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. It combines face-to-face workshops, online webinars, real-life manufacturing case studies, peer learning and visits to technology demonstrators. Participants apply the learning directly to their own businesses, developing a digital strategy and roadmap. Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s Lead Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist, said: “What’s really exciting is seeing these leaders take what they have learned and put it into practice so quickly. Successful digital transformation requires much more than choosing the right technology. Leaders need to think strategically, understand the problem they are trying to solve, prioritise projects, engage their teams and manage change effectively. “That is what LDT is designed to develop, giving manufacturing leaders practical tools they can apply immediately and the confidence to make better-informed decisions about where technology can make the biggest difference. With 145 delegates from 125 manufacturers now having completed the programme, we want to encourage more business owners, managers and emerging leaders to develop the skills and confidence to lead their own digital transformation.” SPS 2026 brings industrial AI and software defined automation into practice Industrial AI, software-defined production and advanced communications will be among the technologies taking centre stage when the international automation industry gathers in Nuremberg for SPS – 10 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 Smart Production Solutions 2026. Around 1175 exhibitors from 40 countries are expected to showcase industrial automation technologies at SPS – Smart Production Solutions, taking place at the Nuremberg exhibition centre from 24–26 November 2026. Spread across 15 halls, the exhibition will cover the industrial automation spectrum, from sensors, drive technology
Thermoplastic | PTFE | Rubber Hydraulic | Industrial | Composite Stainless Steel Flexible Hoses | Fluid Connectors Polyhose (UK) Ltd | 01202 478334 | uk@polyhose.com Precision Crafted From industrial hoses to advanced Energy Conveyance Systems, every Polyhose product is engineered with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring optimal per ormance you can rely on.
NEWS 12 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk and industrial communications to software and integrated automation solutions for the digital factory. Alongside new products, the event will focus on a question becoming increasingly important for manufacturers and machine builders: how emerging technologies can move beyond demonstration projects and deliver measurable benefits in industrial environments. Industrial AI, software-defined production architectures, IT/OT integration, 5G industrial communications and cybersecurity are consequently expected to feature prominently across the exhibition and its technical programme. SPS also continues to attract an international audience of end users and decision-makers. More than 500 visitors from the UK attended the 2025 event. “For many years, the SPS has been the place where technological developments are showcased before they become widespread throughout the industry,” said Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS at Mesago Messe Frankfurt. “The expo not only highlights trends but also allows visitors to experience the m firsthand. It facilitates dialog among suppliers, users, and innovation partners.” Information on tickets, the exhibition programme, exhibitor directory and visitor services is available at: https://sps.mesago.com/nuernberg/en/e xpo.html CWP Engineering, the coastal, waterways, and ports specialists, has signed a fiveyear framework agreement with Università del Salento and EUMER lab, Italy, to pursue joint research and consultancy in hydraulics, maritime construction, and offshore engineering, further deepening the firm’s presence in the Mediterranean. The agreement connects CWP Engineering with the university’s Department of Innovation Engineering and its EUMER Laboratory, the European Maritime and Environmental Research facility on the Ecotekne campus in Monteroni, Lecce, whose Director is Professor Giuseppe R. Tomasicchio. EUMER’s wave generators and measurement systems give researchers a reliable path to test coastal and offshore concepts physically before they reach the field. The timing reflects how much pressure Europe’s coastlines are already under. The European Commission’s latest Blue Economy Report put the sector’s gross value added at €263 billion, with port activities and maritime transport among its fastest-growing parts, while warning that unmitigated coastal flooding could cost the EU between €137 billion and €814 billion annually by 2100. Research partnerships like this one are part of how that gap between risk and readiness starts to close. Under the agreement, CWP Engineering and the University will carry out joint research, pursue EU and public and private funding, and build physical and numerical models addressing sediment transport, wave mechanics, and port and coastal resilience. The work will also extend into digital tools the firm has been developing, including AI-supported design optimisation and digital twins for port systems, paired with EUMER’s experimental data to validate how those tools perform under real conditions. Headquartered in Dubai, CWP Engineering has built a track record on coastal and port projects across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The Salento partnership marks a deliberate step in growing the firm’s footprint in Italy, with the goal of becoming a leading provider of coastal and port engineering solutions across the Mediterranean over the next five years. CWP Engineering expects its Italian team to grow past 20 staff by 2027–2028 as the research pipeline with the university takes shape. “This partnership with Università del Salento and EUMER lab represents a strategic milestone for CWP Italy’s presence in the Mediterranean,” said Francesco Ciardulli, CEO at CWP Engineering. “The EUMER Laboratory’s world-class experimental infrastructure for hydraulics and offshore engineering, combined with the university’s excellence in innovation engineering, creates a powerful foundation for advancing coastal and port engineering. We are committed to driving innovation through AI integration, digital modeling, and sustainable design, while nurturing the next generation of Italian engineering talent through joint research, scholarships, and hands-on training.” Professor Giuseppe R. Tomasicchio, Scientific Responsible and Director of the EUMER Laboratory, said the agreement gives students and researchers a direct line into industry practice: “The laboratory was built to test ideas under conditions that come as close as possible to the sea itself, in a challenging environment under the climate change influence” he said. “Working with a firm like CWP Engineering means our research is not limited to the publication of manuscripts. It gets applied to real projects, and our students get to see that process firsthand, which is exactly the kind of training we want to offer them.” CWP Engineering and Università del Salento launch joint Mediterranean coastal research initiative
www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 13 Talent development is a core component of the agreement alongside the technical research. Università del Salento students will have access to thesis placements, research scholarships, and short and medium-term involvement in CWP Engineering’s live projects, while CWP gains a direct line to talented trained young people for the same problems the firm works on daily. Joint training workshops and integrated teaching using EUMER’s facilities are also planned, alongside internships for engineering students. With a five-year term and an option to renew, the partnership is structured to support a sustained pipeline of joint projects, shared publications, and applied research as coastal and port engineering challenges around the Mediterranean continue to evolve. GE Aerospace has announced a £30 million investment to expand and modernise its Prestwick site, strengthening capacity and operational flow to better support customers across its commercial engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) network. The investment reflects the strategic importance of the Prestwick site to both the regional economy and the wider aerospace sector. It is supported by £27 million from the Ayrshire Growth Deal along with a planned £6 million investment from Scottish Enterprise*. Together, the planned £57 million investment will support site development, enabling works and fit-out, helping prepare Prestwick for future growth, long-term customer demand and the creation of around 150 jobs at the site. “This investment reflects GE Aerospace’s commitment to our customers and to the future of our Prestwick site,” said Andy Prow, Site Leader, GE Aerospace in Prestwick. “By expanding and modernising the facility with the help of government partners, we are improving capacity, operational flow and readiness for future demand, while helping hire and train additional workers from the area.” GE Aerospace invests £30m in Prestwick expansion The project builds on more than two years of analysis and planning, informed by collaboration across GE Aerospace with the Ayrshire Growth Deal and regional stakeholders. A central part of the expansion is a new 55,000 sq. ft building. The investment will help improve site layout, logistics, access and operational flow, creating the capacity needed to support future demand. The project is being delivered on an accelerated schedule, with full operations targeted for Q1 2028. Public sector support reflects the importance of aerospace to Scotland’s economy and confidence in the future of the Prestwick site. The £27 million in public funding will support site development, enabling works and facility fit-out. As an important employer in the region, the Prestwick site supports highly skilled aerospace jobs and capabilities. GE Aerospace has plans to hire around 150 workers over the next 5 years. The UK team is currently made up of 4,100 employees and GE Aerospace has invested over £7 million in manufacturing and £19 million in MRO in the UK in 2026. This expansion will help strengthen long-term capacity, support future skills needs and reinforce the site’s role in the broader aerospace supply chain.
HYDRAULICS YIQIAO Group is advancing its range of ultra-high-pressure and highly flexible hydraulic hoses, with developments aimed at meeting the pressure, durability and installation requirements of construction machinery and industrial equipment. As hydraulic systems are required to deliver high power in increasingly demanding operating environments, hose manufacturers face the challenge of balancing pressure resistance with flexibility and long-term reliability. Alongside the ability to withstand high internal pressures, hydraulic hoses must accommodate movement, vibration, temperature fluctuations and restricted installation spaces, often while operating continuously under load. In response to these requirements, YIQIAO Group is developing ultra-highpressure and highly flexible hydraulic hose solutions, including its enhanced SC+ and SN+ series. The hoses are designed for applications involving demanding pressure conditions and confined routing arrangements, where flexibility can help reduce installation stresses. Hydraulic hose selection involves more than determining the required operating pressure. Equipment manufacturers and system designers must also consider hose routing, movement, operating temperatures, fluid compatibility and expected service life. These considerations are particularly important in construction machinery, where hydraulic hoses can be subjected to repeated movement and changing positions during operation. Restricted installation spaces can also create challenges when routing hoses around other components. YIQIAO’s SC+ and SN+ series have been developed with an emphasis on combining high-pressure resistance with improved flexibility. According to the company, the enhanced hoses are intended to minimise installation stress while maintaining reliable performance during continuous high-load operation. Achieving this balance requires consideration of hose construction, material selection, reinforcement and manufacturing processes. Rather than concentrating solely on pressure capability, YIQIAO’s development approach considers the combined demands placed on hydraulic hoses in specific machinery applications. With more than 20 years of experience in rubber hose research, development and manufacturing, YIQIAO produces Hydraulic hose developments target higher pressure performance and improved flexibility hydraulic, industrial and speciality rubber hoses for a range of operating conditions. Its ultra-high-pressure hose development focuses on hydraulic systems operating under demanding pressure conditions, while its highly flexible hose solutions address applications where routing constraints and movement place additional requirements on hose construction. Beyond construction machinery, the company’s products are intended for industrial equipment and other hydraulic applications where pressure, temperature, fluid compatibility and continuous operation influence component selection. The company operates an ISO 9001 quality management system and reports holding a range of certifications and qualifications, including China Customs AEO Advanced Certification, China Classification Society certification, MSHA certification and EU REACH certification. For further information please visit: https://www.yiqiaogroup.com/ 14 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk YIQIAO’s enhanced SC+ and SN+ hydraulic hoses combine high-pressure resistance with flexibility for demanding machinery application
www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 15 A pre-assembled solution pairs the GF Quick Connect Valve 700 Coupling with the Parker E-Z Form hose, simplifying installation and supporting reliable cooling from the distribution header to the IT rack. GF and Parker Hannifin have combined high-performance hose and fitting technology with advanced polymer valve design in a single preassembled coupling for direct liquid cooling. The GF Quick Connect Valve 700 Coupling with Parker hose connection ships as an integrated plugand-play system, simplifying installation while supporting reliable direct liquid cooling operations. AI is accelerating demand for highdensity, high-performance computing, and direct liquid cooling (DLC) is becoming the preferred thermal management method in next-generation data centres for its greater efficiency. The use of liquid coolants in critical environments places higher demands on piping systems, particularly valves and connections. The GF and Parker solution addresses those demands. The plug-and-play offering combines the GF Quick Connect Valve 700 and quick-connect coupling with the preassembled Parker E-Z Form hose. The Quick Connect Valve 700 uses a dualball-valve design and a patented locking mechanism that allows disconnection only when the valve is fully closed. This supports safety during operation and maintenance, helping prevent accidental fluid release and enabling secure, repeatable connections in demanding cooling infrastructures. The valve is up to 50% lighter than comparable metal alternatives. Its fullbore design optimises flow performance and reduces pressure drop by up to 25%. Attached to one half of the Quick Connect Valve 700 through a crimpfitting connection, the Parker E-Z Form hose accommodates extreme bends while maintaining full-flow, kink-free performance. Its flexibility allows it to replace preformed hoses and bent metal tube assemblies, helping eliminate additional design, tooling and fabrication costs, as well as long lead times. As a fully integrated plug-and-play solution, the combined valve and hose assembly offers several benefits: Integrated hose and coupling solution simplifies data centre liquid cooling Maximum compatibility Hose, fitting and valve are specified and validated as one coordinated assembly, eliminating tolerance stacking and reducing cross-vendor interface risk. Factory-controlled assembly Crimp parameters, dimensional targets (OD/ID) and tooling are tightly controlled for repeatable, documented quality. Pressure and lifecycle performance Qualified hose–fitting–coupling combinations support higher operating pressures and extended service life under continuous thermal and mechanical loads. Cleanliness and system protection The Quick Connect Valve 700’s smooth PVDF body minimises particle retention and reduces flushing time, while the precleaned, sealed and factory-tested hose assemblies further reduce contamination risk during installation. “By combining the strengths of GF and Parker, we are enabling a lightweight, fast, clean and efficient connection from the distribution header to the rack,” said Charles Freda, Global Head of Data Centres at GF. “Together, we are helping create a more reliable and efficient cooling infrastructure from distribution to the IT rack.” Mathias Veeser, marketing & business development manager, Parker Hannifin added: “By integrating hose and valve technologies into a single solution, we help reduce complexity and improve reliability for our customers.” For further information please visit: https://www.gfps.com/
HYDRAULICS The growing market need to enhance the performance of lightweight thinning harvesters and excavator-based harvesters without increasing engine power has accelerated the demand for new solutions. Kesla’s new powerB pressure accumulator system provides an effective response to this challenge by delivering significant additional power during critical work phases. The solution improves harvester performance, productivity, and fuel efficiency without the need to increase engine power. Light thinning harvesters and excavatorbased harvesters often face challenges such as low feed speed and limited sawing power, which reduce work efficiency and make handling difficult trees more demanding. KESLA powerB addresses these challenges by efficiently using load fluctuations in the hydraulic system. In harvester operations, the power demand of the hydraulic system varies continuously, and rapid changes also cause pressure spikes that are detrimental to the system. The PowerB pressure accumulator system is connected to the harvester’s pressure line, where it stores energy. At the same time, the system smooths pressure variations and filters pressure spikes, improving the durability and reliability of the hydraulic system and hoses. The stored energy is used at moments when the harvesting head’s energy demand is at its highest, such as during sawing and feeding. The core of the PowerB system is its valve and control logic, which manages energy charging and using cycles with millisecond-level precision at exactly the right moments. The control system also ensures operational safety by discharging the accumulator energy in a controlled manner when the harvesting head is not active, ensuring safe machine operation and maintenance. “Thanks to precisely controlled charging and discharging cycles, the accumulator capacity enables up to nearly 50 kW of instantaneous additional power for sawing and delimbing feed. What is particularly significant is that the energy Hydraulic accumulator system delivers additional power and efficiency for forestry machinery stored in the accumulator is immediately available, without the delays associated with hydraulic system of the base machine,” said Mika Tahvanainen, Director of Product Management at Kesla Oyj. “In addition, the impact on fuel efficiency is positive: the additional power does not require extra fuel. As engine load is balanced, hourly fuel consumption is even reduced while work productivity increases.” Kesla is one of the market leaders in excavator-based harvester solutions, and KESLA powerB integrates seamlessly into the extensive KESLA xTimber product family for excavator harvesters. The system is also ideally suited for lightweight thinning harvesters with limited engine power. The KESLA powerB system is available for all KESLA harvester heads controlled by KESLA proLOG, xLogger, or Dasa control systems. For further information please visit: https://kesla.com 16 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk KESLA powerB pressure accumulator system
STAINLESS STEEL HYDRAULIC HOSE AND PIPE FITTING SPECIALISTS We are the leading manufacturer and stockist of stainless steel hose fittings, tube fittings and adaptors. Call one of our friendly and knowledgeable specialists today to see how we can help. 30 TRADING FOR OVER YEARS CALL 01274 852 066 sales@customfittings.com www.customfittings.com PROUDLY MADE IN THE UK 0114 349 0766 • info@plascompo.com • www.plascompo.com ECO RANGE OF PROTECTIVE CAPS & PLUGS Made entirely from second-life plastic Available now…
HYDRAULICS Hydraulic cylinder sealing, contamination protection and fluid retention remain key considerations for off-highway equipment manufacturers, with technologies highlighted by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions earlier this year at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 addressing these demanding operating requirements. Hydraulic systems in construction machinery, agricultural equipment and other off-highway applications are frequently exposed to challenging operating conditions, including heavy loads, contamination and continuous movement. Maintaining effective sealing under these conditions is essential to protecting hydraulic components, retaining fluids and minimising unplanned downtime. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions showcased a range of technologies developed for these environments, including hydraulic cylinder seals, scrapers, rotary shaft seals and gasket materials. The portfolio addresses different sealing requirements, from preventing external contamination to maintaining fluid retention in hydraulic cylinders and associated equipment. Among the company’s hydraulic sealing solutions highlighted at the exhibition were the Zurcon polyurethane U-Cup RU9, O-Ring Energized Zurcon Glyd Ring D and Zurcon Scraper DA24. These products form part of Trelleborg’s range of seals and wipers designed for hydraulic cylinders, where sealing performance and protection against contamination are important considerations. Michael Cook, Global Segment Director Off-Highway at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, explained: “Hydraulic systems typically use a complex configuration of high-performance seals. Our product range includes seals and wipers designed for hydraulic cylinders such as the Zurcon polyurethane U-Cup RU9, O-Ring Energised Zurcon Glyd Ring D and Zurcon Scraper DA24.” Contamination protection was another focus of the company’s exhibition display, particularly for machinery operating in mud, water and abrasive environments. Trelleborg’s Stefa Cassette seals, developed for tractors, construction equipment and heavy-duty vehicles, incorporate multiple sealing lips, a protective metal casing and an internal sleeve. This arrangement is designed to provide a barrier against external contaminants while retaining lubricants. Cook noted: “Off-highway equipment faces mud, water and abrasive debris that can destroy conventional seals. Our Stefa Cassette seals provide robust protection in these environments. By combining advanced sealing technology with durability and ease of installation, we’re helping customers reduce downtime and extend service life.” The company also showcased its Stefa High-Performance Radial Shaft Seals for demanding rotary applications. These are intended for operating environments involving extended duty cycles, higher rotational speeds and continuous Advanced sealing technologies target reliability in demanding hydraulic applications production, where effective sealing is important to equipment reliability and maintenance requirements. Inderjeet Singh, Global Product Line Director Rotary Seals, said: “The Stefa High-Performance Seals are proven to outperform conventional rotary seals. They provide customers with efficient, durable solutions to the extreme duty cycles, higher speeds and challenging operating conditions of today’s rotary sealing systems used in off-highway equipment.” Alongside its hydraulic and rotary sealing products, Trelleborg presented HMF17 FlatSeal flat gasket materials for applications requiring reliable sealing between mating surfaces. The materials are designed to offer high compressibility and adaptability, including at low surface pressures. According to the company, the gasket material can conform to microscopic irregularities in flange and mating surfaces, helping to close potential leakage paths that conventional gaskets may leave exposed. This ability to conform is intended to provide a tighter, more durable seal from installation. Trelleborg’s wider materials portfolio at the exhibition also included H2Pro sealing materials, incorporating an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber developed for high-pressure hydrogen environments across a range of temperatures, together with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material for very low-temperature applications. These materials address specialist sealing requirements beyond conventional hydraulic cylinder applications. For hydraulic equipment manufacturers and operators, selecting appropriate sealing arrangements remains an important consideration in maintaining system performance. Different applications require consideration of operating conditions, component movement, contamination exposure and sealing material compatibility.
PNEUMATICS Before you replace the pneumatic cylinder When a pneumatic cylinder begins moving slowly, hesitating, stopping short or producing inconsistent cycle times, the cylinder is often blamed first. Replacing seals or installing a new actuator may appear to solve the problem, but the improvement can be temporary if the real fault is elsewhere in the circuit. A cylinder is the final device in a chain that includes the compressor, receiver, distribution piping, filter and regulator, directional valve, tubing, fittings, flow controls and exhaust silencers. It also works against a mechanical load that may be misaligned, binding or changing from cycle to cycle. Effective troubleshooting therefore starts with the symptom and operating conditions, not with an assumption about the failed component. Define the symptom before changing anything Begin by recording exactly when the problem occurs. A cylinder that is slow in both directions suggests a common supply restriction, low available flow, valve problem or mechanical drag. Slow extension with normal retraction points toward the cap-end supply path, the rodend exhaust path, a direction-specific flow control or the load during extension. A machine that performs normally without load but slows in production may have insufficient force margin, dynamic pressure loss or external binding. Timing also matters. If performance deteriorates only when other air consumers operate, inspect the shared branch and local distribution capacity. If motion is erratic after a long idle period 20 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk but stabilises after several cycles, moisture, contamination, seal stiction or lubrication conditions may be involved. A concise symptom record prevents the investigation from becoming a series of unrelated component swaps. Measure pressure where the work occurs A regulator gauge can show acceptable pressure while the machine is idle and still hide a serious loss during movement. Pressure should be checked near the actuator while the cylinder is travelling under its normal load. Record the starting pressure, the lowest pressure reached during the stroke and whether the drop changes when neighbouring equipment cycles. The Compressed Air and Gas Institute When pneumatic cylinder performance becomes slow or inconsistent, replacing the actuator may treat the symptom rather than the cause. A systematic investigation of pressure, airflow, valves, exhausts, air quality and mechanical loading can reveal where the real problem lies and help prevent unnecessary component changes and repeat failures. Palak Sheth* reports. A technician measures pressure close to the pneumatic cylinder during a controlled operating test. Dynamic readings at the actuator can reveal pressure losses that are not visible at the compressor or regulator. Image credit: AI-generated.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=