April News Center

In this month's PHD newsletter, we are highlighting our newly released Series GRV Compact Precision Angular Pneumatic Gripper. Modeled after the highly successful Series GRA Parallel Gripper, the Series GRV serves a wide variety of automation needs.

Also for April we are spotlighting a video product review for the PHD KG Impact Sensor. See how this sensor can help prevent costly and catastrophic machine failure!

Lastly, we are featuring our Product Specs App for mobile and tablet devices. A newly released update lets you markup and share media and also view products in 3D!

Click here to read the PHD April News Center.

PHD Announces New Angular Pneumatic Gripper

PHD introduces the new Series GRV Compact Precision Angular Pneumatic Gripper.

Modeled after the highly successful Series GRA Parallel Gripper, 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.

The Series GRV Gripper’s robust construction ensures long operating life. Precision dowel pin holes ensure the accurate alignment of tooling and gripper mounting. Internal speed control is standard, therefore 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.

Other benefits include cleanroom fluoro-elastomer seals and lube options, manifold porting, multiple mounting locations, and PHD’s superior delivery.

For more information on this new gripper including product animations and a catalog, click here. For immediate assistance, call (800) 624-8511.

PHD Offers New Clamp Options for High Temperature Applications

PHD introduces new high temperature options for PHD’s Series GRM Clamps for use in hot-forming applications.

GRM Clamps with G11 option ship in 24 hours and include:

• Replacement of urethane based components with all metal components
• High temp seals and lube rated to 392° F (200° C)
• Ceramic coated tips that minimize thermal transfer from the heat source to the clamp

PHD Series GRM Clamps with the G11 option are designed specifically for handling sheet metal in stamping/fabricating press applications. A compact size makes the Series GRM Clamp ideal for applications in confined work areas. Series GRM Clamps are available in three sizes, 13 jaw styles, and numerous jaw openings to fit a wide range of clamping applications. Featuring a simple design, long life, and high clamp force, this clamp is fully field repairable in a matter of minutes using only metric hex wrenches.

To learn more, view a catalog or visit the Series GRM product page.

PHD March News

In the March edition of PHD eNews, we are highlighting our Tom Thumb Cylinder®. Since our humble beginnings, we've always been about function. The Tom Thumb Cylinder is a living testimony to this fact, and is still a popular product choice among many manufacturers.

This month, we are spotlighting our actuator capabilities for the Food Industry. We have the materials and motions that solve problems in your food handling, processing, and packaging operations.

Lastly, we are featuring our Designer's Resource Process Guide. These online tools can assist in the reduction of project costs and in the shortening of the design processes.

PHD February News Center

In the February edition of PHD eNews, we are highlighting our Series EGRK Electric Gripper. With no programming necessary, this "plug and grip" electric gripper is simple and easy to use while delivering the performance and precision you require.

Also this month, we feature Solutions for the Washroom. Long life replacement actuators for commercial laundries help reduce downtime and increase productivity.

Lastly, make sure you download our newest iPad App that lets you view and generate 3D CAD models!

Click here to read the eNews. Not a subscriber? Sign up here!

New! 3D CAD App

You can now view and generate CAD models in 3D with PHD 3D, our newest iPhone and iPad App!

Features:

• Configure PHD actuators for accurate ordering data
• Generate previews of actuators including options and features
• View actuators in 3D, spin to view all sides
• Send CAD models and recommend to others
• Access PHD catalog and news through direct link

To download, please visit the iTunes Store. You must have an Internet connection when using this App. At this time, PHD 3D is only available for Apple devices. View our other mobile apps.

Introducing the New PHD Series KG Impact Sensor

PHD is pleased to introduce a new sensor that provides monitoring of equipment performance.

The PHD Series KG Impact Sensor easily attaches to and monitors any piece of equipment that has motion. Featuring single-axis/bi-directional sensitivity, the sensor attaches to the moving part of a machine or device and monitors impact. A PLC can interpret the signal to warn of erratic operation or shut down a system to prevent catastrophic failure.

Using the KG Programmer, the KG Impact Sensor also can measure an impact and relay that value to the user. A single programmer has the ability to service an unlimited number of impact sensors throughout an entire plant.

PHD Series KG Impact Sensor Uses:

• Predictive maintenance device
  • Detects change in impact force
  • Can help reduce unanticipated downtime
  • Minimizes unnecessary preventive maintenance
• Productivity tripwire
  • Flags appropriate personnel of machine crash
  • Indicates when machine has crashed
  • Stops production of bad parts
• Benchmarking
  • Measures impact (programmer required)
  • Counts impacts or extreme vibration (<400hz)
  • Monitors centripetal forces

To learn more, visit the Series KG Impact Sensor page.

Introducing the New Series ECVR Electric Cylinder

PHD now offers a lower cost electric cylinder! Most electrically driven cylinders require a non-rotating feature to properly reciprocate. The same is true for our popular Series ECVA Cylinder. Our latest addition to the family, the Series ECVR is constructed without the additional cost of a non-rotating rod feature. With all the force and speed of its forerunner, the new Series ECVR breaks ground with a much lower cost and is perfect for applications where rod rotation is prevented by the load or tooling attached to the rod.

All PHD electric cylinders feature a rigid construction with extremely low backlash. Available in three different sizes, these actuators feature Your Motor, Your Way, a configurable system giving you the freedom to incorporate the motor and controls of your choice.

Major benefits:

• High thrust and speed capability with 1000 mm travel lengths available (ECVA only)
• High degree of repeatability and high precision ball screw assemblies
• ISO/VDMA mounting interface for easy interchange
• Inline and foldback motor mounting flexibility
• Your Motor, Your Way for online configuration of motor mounting plates

Want to learn more about Series ECVR? Click here for complete product information!

Welcome to the new phdinc.com!

Welcome to our newly redesigned website! Knowing that you depend on phdinc.com to gather information and utilize resources, we’ve rebuilt our site to make it much easier to find content and use tools.

In this 55th anniversary year of our founding, we continue to strive to be the leading manufacturer of automation actuators and your partner in automation solutions. As part of our commitment to excellence, we have created a more navigable website with a user-friendly design, updated product pages, and more.

Highlights of the new phdinc.com:

• Cleaner appearance
• Simplified menus
• Smart phone and tablet friendly 
• Easy, intuitive navigation
  • bread crumbs allow users to move backwards when drilling down into sections
• Enhanced search
  • includes part number search: Enter part number, search will provide options for CAD, product information, and parts 
• Updated and expanded product detail pages including:
  • integrated catalog and animations
  • improved interface
  • updated layout

Please take a few moments to browse the new website. Reflecting our long-standing commitment to learning and continuous improvement, we welcome your feedback as we continue to improve this site.

PHD Celebrating 55 Years in Business

In May 1957, PHD began with the collective vision of our founders Harry A. Neff, Jim Neff, Tom Neff, Jack Neff, Dick Futter and Dan Flickinger who worked to establish the Tom Thumb® in the fluid power industry. From modest beginnings in a garage to a multi-national, worldwide corporation, PHD’s story is truly remarkable. Our success is a testament to the vision of our founders, the employees of PHD, and our customers.

Although change and the speed of change in our industry would have truly amazed our founders, we have remained consistent in our approach to how we do business. We continue our commitment to providing high quality, reliable products for all our customers’ automation needs.

PHD is extremely proud to celebrate our 55 years of business. A heartfelt “thank you” goes to all of our employees, their families, our community, and the customers and partners we have done business with. We have built our business on the trust you have shown us over the last 55 years, and we are committed to serving you for many years to come.

New PHD ESK/ESL & ESG Electromechanical Slide Video

Slide Video

The PHD Plus Series ESK/ESL Slide and Series ESG Slide video provides an overview of key features and benefits. The Series ESK/ESL Slide, an electromechanical cantilever style actuator, and the Series ESG Slide, an electromechanical gantry style actuator, both feature precision ground guide shafts and ball bushings for smooth, accurate linear motion. These slides are available in three sizes with a choice of two high precision ball screws per size optimized for high speed or high thrust applications. Travels are available up to 700 mm on the ESK/ESL Slide and up to 900 mm on the Series ESG Slide. PHD Plus slides feature Your Motor, Your Way – a configurable system that allows the customer to easily power the unit with the motor and controls of their choice. Motors are mountable in an inline or foldback configuration. Contact PHD for more PHD Plus information.

New PHD ECV Electromechanical Cylinder Video

ECV Cylinder Video

The PHD Plus Series ECV Electromechanical Cylinder video is an overview of its features and benefits. The ECV Cylinders are electromechanical rod style actuators with an ISO/VDMA mounting interface, available in three sizes with a choice of two high precision ball screws per size optimized for high speed or high thrust applications. Travels are available up to 1000 mm. A large choice of cylinder mounting accessories is available to simplify machine design. This actuator also features Your Motor, Your Way- a configurable system that allows the customer to easily power the unit with the motor and controls of their choice. Motors are mountable in an inline or foldback configuration. The ECV Cylinders can be used to drive ESK, ESL, and ESG thruster and gantry style slides as well. Contact PHD for more PHD Plus information.

New 3D PDF Personal Product Spec Sheet!

Requires Flash

The Personal Product Spec Sheet will be included with every CAD request.

Benefits of the new 3D PDF: 

• Shows the ordering data. 
• Shows Distributor contact information. 
• Includes a 3D pdf of the exact features on the ordering data that users can rotate and view that don't have CAD systems. Perfect for sharing with decision makers and purchasing. 
• Includes benefits & delivery information.