TechArchive

Original article date: June 2000

InPHorm is an odd name – and we still don’t know how to pronounce it – but it’s a boon for selecting hydraulic cylinders and other components too!

Traditionally, the accurate specification of a hydraulic cylinder has involved searching through tables, locating dimensions, and identifying cushion presses and buckling forces. And when you’ve done all that, you have to draw the finished cylinder in an assembly drawing!

Now, a software program from Parker Hannifin Cylinder Division, called European Cylinder inPHorm, has been released which is designed to make the process of choosing the right cylinder as quick and easy as possible.

At first glance, it looks similar to many of the other product selectors currently available, but a close look shows there is a lot to it. The program works on five levels, with features to suit different users: designers, draughtsmen and purchasing people. Also, you don’t need the IT manager to help run it.

From the opening screen, you enter a sophisticated Cylinder Selector, which allows you to build up the cylinder specification using either required force data or the physical data determined by the application. Where the force is known, inPHorm supplies suitable bore, rod diameter and stop tube data.

Alternatively, if you choose to enter the bore and rod sizes, inPHorm will select cylinders based on their permitted load. Factors such as cushion pressures, speed limitations and fatigue life are reportedly taken into account automatically. With all cylinder series, mounting styles and options available, inPHorm should cut the time needed to find the right cylinder to a few minutes.

Reference material

At every stage of the selection process, there is access to context-sensitive reference material, including complete product catalogues for each cylinder series.

Once the specification is complete, the fully dimensioned drawing can be imported into a CAD system, using options which allow the user to view, print and export a CAD drawing of the cylinder, in a choice of DXF, DWG, HPGL and IGES formats.

For regular users, there’s a Rapid Selection feature, accessed via the Tools menu, which gives single-screen access to cylinder drawings and a Parker model code. For the View menu, QuotePa generates a fully detailed enquiry form, including options and accessories. There’s even an address book to store regular contact details!

Parker Hannifin’s Instrumentation Division has updated its own inPHorm CD, adding the spectrum of instrumentation valve types to the existing library of tube/pipe fittings. The powerful new tool automates the selection and design-in process and improves the efficiency of the development, purchasing, installation and maintenance phases of any project involving fluid instrumentation. Included in this new version, for example, is a valve selection system allowing users to find the optimum component based on flow, pressure, temperature and media compatibility considerations.

Providing an interactive and error-free approach to selection, users can similarly access valve and fittings data by part number, or by browsing component categories. Alternatively, users can initiate selection from a design perspective. For valves, users can nominate type and simply respond to prompts for required size, CV, seals and other parameters, to reach the final part code. In the case of a tube fitting, users start by nominating a shape, and then specify end connections, sizes, etc. The process is graphical: the component is displayed and modified throughout, and the final drawing may be printed. Selected parts can be added to a ‘request for quote’ or order form, which can be e-mailed, printed and filed.

The tool includes thousands of different parts which can be configured from the basic component types in conjunction with the choice of sizes, materials, end connections.

The Parker inPHorm CDROM runs on a PC with Windows NT or version 3.1 and later, and may be set up for an individual’s dedicated use, or in client/server form for a network.

• Parker Hannifin

June 2000