Winner: 2013 Bimba Top Sales Performance Award

Fluid Power Engineering is the proud recipient of the Bimba Top Sales Performance Award for 2013! FPE is thrilled to count this among its latest achievements in a long and successful partnership with Bimba Manufacturing. It's an honor to receive this award. We'd like to thank our loyal customers -- without your continued support, this would not have been possible. We pride ourselves on being your premier source for Bimba products in the Chicagoland, greater Illinois and Quad Cities region. Thank you!

Sad News

Richard Bardos 1932-2013 August 21, 2013 The co-founder of Fluid Power Engineering, Dick Bardos, passed away today after a short illness. He had recently celebrated his 81st birthday. Originally from Michigan, Dick moved to the Chicago area in 1963 to start Fluid Power Engineering with his original partner, Jim Murphy. Together, they built FPE. Over the decades, they nurtured the company with their talented direction as it became an industry leader in the region it serves. Later, Jim retired and Dick took over his share of the business to become the sole owner. After many golden years filled with sailing and other endeavors, Jim passed away in 2009, around a month prior to his ninetieth birthday. Dick eventually moved into semi-retirement as his son, David and daughter Lori took over everyday operations. Dick and his lovely wife Ruthe split their time between Naples, Florida and their home in Illinois. For the past several years, they have enjoyed an active life filled with golf, family and friends. Meanwhile, Dick remained involved and engaged in the business. His sage advice and exceptional business sense was genuinely appreciated by everyone at FPE. Those who had the pleasure and good fortune of working with Dick will remember him as highly intelligent, caring and (of course) very witty. His sense of humor will not be forgotten. Dick was a respected and likeable figurehead, and it was always such a pleasure to interact with him. I can say it was a tremendous honor to have known him and worked with him. There are no words to describe the loss of Dick Bardos. He left a legacy that will always live on here at his company and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Dick is survived by his wife Ruthe Bardos, his daughter Lori Wolff (FPE's Vice President/Controller) and her husband Jerry, his son David (President of FPE) and his wife Lori, his daughter Sally Nowak and her husband Ed (Value-added Services Project Manager at FPE), and seven grandchildren; Joey (Solution Specialist at FPE), Sean (Client Care Representative at FPE), Paula, Jamie,  Dan, Mark and Ryan.  Arrangements are still being made and will be shared as that information becomes available. Official announcements will also be provided by friends and family that will likely be more accurate and detailed than this (very un-official) blog post.

Update: David Bardos has announced this evening that Services will be held Friday, August 23rd at 12 p.m. The Chapel 195 North Buffalo Grove Road Buffalo Grove, IL (1 Block North of Lake Cook Rd) Interment at Shalom Memorial Park View Larger Map

Piab appears in a Dodge SRT Viper Commercial

Check out this extended commercial for Dodge SRT Viper! You'll briefly catch Piab Duraflex cups and PMAT handling in a scene at the plant.



Missed Piab? Hint: look at 0:44

Join FPE and Teledyne Dalsa for a Special Machine Vision Event on Wednesday, July 31, 2013

From the Fluid Power Engineering Automation Control Division:

An event co-sponsored by FPE & Teledyne Dalsa with content you can really use. You will leave with iNspect demo software, a FREE six color test light, and the knowledge to better manage machine vision. Oh, and lunch is on us! Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm We’ll cover: Machine vision essentials – the basics. Use of the popular Teledyne DALSA iNspect vision software. This is the easiest point and click vision software available anywhere. So simple, as a matter of fact, that other vision companies are trying to imitate this easy-to-use software. Machine vision lighting. We’ll show you how to use various lighting solutions in your applications. We’ll cover axial, darkfield, dome, spot and different colored lights. Lighting is critical to a successful application. It’s a topic that is often overlooked. If that didn't create enough value for you... By the time we're midway through the session, we're pretty sure you'll be very satisfied with what you've heard. But if we do leave any questions unanswered, we're going to put you in the driver's seat. We’ll be setting aside time to answer any questions about the actual application that you may have. Bring in an example from your work environment and our experts will cover your topic. Cost: $50.00 Lunch will be provided. You can sign up by visiting the Fluid Power Engineering website, or by calling your FPE solution specialist: 847-364-7455. You'll be glad you joined us.

Introducing the Murr Modlink MSDD Interface System

The Modlink MSDD interface system makes it easy to access controls in the cabinet when the time comes for in-plant or machinery diagnostics and servicing. With Modlink the cabinet can remain closed and the components inside can continue to operate with their required level of protection. This helps you maintain compliance with all necessary safety regulations. Simply snap the appropriate GFCI circuit breaker into the frame. Then, if the switch trips, it can be reset without having to open the cabinet. Available in both a single and double frame size with a choice of cover (transparent, silver or fiberglass reinforced gray), Modlink MSDD is suitable for applications in a wide variety of environments. The covers come with a choice of locking mechanism, either a 3mm double-bit key or a knob. Both help the cover and frame meet IP65 requirements thus making the insert resistant to dirt, dust and humidity. The newly redesigned cover has a spring mechanism that lifts an open lid 30°. This allows you to see at a glance that it is open and reminds you to close it when finished. The modular system is based on a two parts: frames and inserts. With over 4000 combinations of frames and inserts, Modlink allows manufacturers to react to country specific requirements without having to rework the size of the housing each time. The cutout dimensions, which have remained the same even though the frame has a new look, are standard across the product line no matter which insert you choose for your application. This makes it easy for both designers and installers to work with Modlink MSDD.

Click here to read the official press release New Features and Frames = More Options FPE has the Modlink tabletop demo in-house now! Interested in seeing it? Let us know. We'll bring it to you!

Outstanding Distributor Achievement Award

Fluid Power Engineering is pleased to announce the receipt of the Outstanding Distributor Achievement Award for 2013 from Carlo Gavazzi!



Left to Right: Mike Meurer from Innovonics, Fluid Power Engineering's Ed Hess and Scott Massie, Bob Sturkey from Carlo Gavazzi and Dave Bardos, President of Fluid Power Engineering.

Fluid Power Engineering President David Bardos, Sales Manager Scott Massie and Automation Controls Division Manager Ed Hess were at FPE Elk Grove Village today to accept the award, along with a rebate check for "dedication, efforts and sales achievement".

Mike Meurer from Innovonics and Bob Sturkey from Carlo Gavazzi presented the award. On behalf of FPE, we'd like to thank Mike, Bob and everyone at Carlo Gavazzi for this recognition. We would also like to thank Jomy Vadakumpadam and Tom Mathew in FPE's Automation Controls Division for their efforts so far this year. They worked closely with our Solution Specialists to make sure the products met our client's needs. And speaking of Solution Specialists, a well-deserved shout-out goes to Greg Bannister, Art Gesell and Ed Kowalski for exceptional Carlo Gavazzi sales so far this year. Without the effort of everyone involved, this Carlo Gavazzi sales success could not have been achieved.

PHD Series GRV Compact Precision Angular Pneumatic Gripper

PHD's new angular pneumatic grippers received a product review from Design World Magazine Editorial Director Paul Heney. Check out the video!



The Series GRV is a compact, rugged precision gripper available in four sizes that can support large moment capacities and long tooling lengths. The combination of design and features makes the GRV a superior choice for a wide variety of automation applications. A slim design allows ample space for "stacking" grippers in a confined area.

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Video transcript:
Published on May 30, 2013 by Design World Magazine

Today, we're looking at PHD Inc.'s new Series GRV Compact Precision Angular Pneumatic Gripper. If it looks somewhat familiar to you, that's because this product is modeled after the company's existing Series GRA Parallel Grippers. This gripper is, as the name implies, compact in size and precise, but it's also rugged. The GRV is offered in 4 different sizes, and it can support large moment capacities and long tooling lengths.

The GRV can be used in a wide variety of automation applications. And the slim design allows plenty space if you want to stack several grippers in a confined area.

This gripper's robust construction means you can expect a long operating life. You can see there are precision dowel pin holes here, that helps in accurate alignment of tooling and gripper mounting.

Internal flow control is standard, which means that no external flow control is required. The units are supplied "switch-ready," for easy integration of optional magnetic position sensing switches. A teachable two-position switch allows multiple positions on small grippers within the profile of the gripper.

There are cleanroom fluoro-elastomer seals and lube options, as well as manifold porting and multiple mounting locations.

For more information on this new gripper including product animations and a catalog, you can visit the company's website, at www.phdinc.com/grv.