The evolution of hydraulics in automotive manufacturing

The evolution of hydraulics in automotive manufacturing can be seen in a number of stages:

Power-assisted tools As demand surged and production volumes increased to meet demand, the need grew for more efficient and powerful tools. Hydraulics were utilised to create power-assisted tools such as hydraulic presses and punches. The tools used hydraulic pressure to deliver higher force and enhanced precision, enabling the manufacturing process to be completed quicker with more consistency.

Hydraulic presses Following their introduction as power-assisted tools, hydraulic presses helped revolutionise the automotive industry as they become essential for various operations in the manufacturing process such as stamping, bending and shaping metal components. The development of large-scale hydraulic presses opened the door for the mass production of body panels and chassis.

Automation and robotics As the industry continued to innovate and modernise, hydraulics played a vital role in the development of automated assembly lines through the integration of robotic systems. Hydraulics help power the various robotic arms on the assembly line, which enable precise and repetitive movements in tasks such as welding, painting and component installation.

Fluid power control The evolution of hydraulics in automotive manufacturing also involved the development of advanced fluid power control systems. Sophisticated valves, sensors and controllers to precisely regulate flow rates, pressures and movements were integrated with hydraulic systems to ensure a flexible and adaptative manufacturing process.

What does the future hold?

Looking ahead, and as automotive manufacturing continues to evolve and innovate to meet new demands and expectations, hydraulics will continue to play a vital role to ensure operations run smoothly. We touched upon hydraulics playing a part in the development of automating the assembly line and this integration will likely surge in the years ahead.

Advanced robotics, machine learning, the adoption of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre composites or aluminium alloys, as well as the continued integration with innovative new digital technologies all have the potential to be widely likely be adopted by the industry in the near future.

In addition, as the automotive industry continues to shift towards the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles, hydraulic systems will still be required to ensure production quotas are hit in order to meet demand.

The benefits hydraulics bring

Hydraulics have been a vital cog in the automotive manufacturing machine and they have revolutionised the sector to mass-produce vehicles to meet demand on a global scale. As the industry continues to advance with a focus towards the production of electric vehicles against government net zero targets, it's clear that hydraulic systems will still have a role to play to meet targets. Here are some of the benefits hydraulics bring to this industry:

Versatility Hydraulic systems are incredibly versatile and can be tailored to accommodate a host of applications in the manufacturing process. This can include presses, robotics, assembly fixtures and more.

Safety As hydraulic systems offer controlled and predictable movements, this helps minimise the risk of accidents or injury. In addition, many hydraulic systems incorporate safety features such as pressure relief valves or emergency stop mechanisms to ensure that workers are always safe on the factory floor. For general maintenance of hydraulic systems or in the event of a malfunction, experts should always be called upon as hydraulic systems are complex and potentially hazardous if not handled correctly.

Durability Hydraulics are known for their durability which can help prevent recurrences of downtime and hydraulic failure. They can withstand heavy loads, extreme temperatures and offer long-term performance, which makes them perfectly suitable for the demands for the automotive manufacturing industry.

Cost-effectiveness Hydraulics are relatively low cost to purchase and thanks to their durability and long life-span, they are a sound economical choice for many manufacturers. Additionally, thanks to their high force capabilities, hydraulics can often allow for faster rates of production contributing to improved productivity and cost-efficiency.

Keeping the automotive industry moving

Whether it's a replacement hose, turnkey custom hydraulic solutions or Pirtek's Total Hose Management service, the company can supply and fit an extensive range of products unique to the requirements of automotive hydraulics. In addition, Pirtek can provide preventative maintenance packages and tailored servicing to meet your specific circumstances.

Pirtek's technical team can help design and build bespoke systems that can do precise jobs and tasks rather than off the shelf solutions. Knowing that any downtime can be catastrophic for business, Pirtek's network of highly trained service technicians can be at your location in under one hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.