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For over 2000 years we have been using hydraulic systems to exert high pressure force onto a corresponding medium: In almost every industry setting there is a continued demand for hydraulic assemblies that can be regularly operated at higher pressures, with most hydraulic systems averaging an output of between 3000 to 6000psi. In more recent years, leading hydraulic manufacturer Alfagomma has become synonymous with creating fully integrated solutions; yielding strong assembly integration further aligns with the British Fluid Power Association’s (BFPA) recommended standards of production.
Kiowa, part of the Alfagomma Group, are leaders in Industrial & Hydraulic hose manufacturing, having become a household name over the last 30 years for their ability to produce safe and fully compliant port to port hose assembly solutions. Befitting of this reputation, during 2021, a partnership with Alfagomma was born; Kiowa is now part of globally renowned Italian brand. Steeped in heritage, as we enter 2023, Alfagomma’s development team continue to place a heavy focus on product performance, working in conjunction with Kiowa’s in-house technical team to create bespoke hydraulic assembly solutions for the UK market’s range of original equipment manufacturing (OEM) requirements.
Whilst no longer a widely endorsed practice amongst professionally regulated hydraulic providers, we continue to witness instances within the industry, of hose assemblies comprised of a varying assortment of components. In stark contrast, Kiowa’s clients are instead provided with one single source, fully integrated system; commonly referred to as ‘the safest option’ amongst our clients, regulators, and colleagues. The advantages of a fully integrated hydraulic system are highlighted as follows: full traceability, through our online asset management portal; extensive impulse cycle testing and assurance, from Alfagomma’s trusted scientific development teams; optional two-year longevity guarantee (dependent on application), where a direct port to port routing design is adopted. In addition, to enhance our full-service offering our hydraulic assemblies can be fully tested, for complete piece of mind, helping to ensure best industry practice.
So, you may be asking yourself, what are the risks of not using fully integrated hydraulic systems from a single source supplier? In essence, it could mean anything from a simple depressurising leak, hose contamination, or in extreme cases hydraulic oil injection.
Hydraulic oil injection, a scenario reported to occur in every 1 of 600 hand injuries; according to the HSE, hydraulic oil injection injury can be life threatening and, in a 2014 incident, was the direct cause of fatality. With hydraulic system uptake projected to keep growing at an exponential rate, and with just 100psi required to penetrate the human skin, the salience of mitigating against more catastrophic consequences has never been greater. Further, using non-integrated hydraulic systems increases the risk of contamination, as particulates become trapped in the hose and inhibit oil flow, with these tiny micron particles causing internal blockages, rust, and oil degradation. Mismatched assembly components can also lead to hoses depressurising as the internal media escapes through poorly sealed fitting ingresses; a scenario easily avoided by Kiowa’s manufacturer approved assembly configuration.
It’s perhaps no wonder, with the risks attached to using poorly constructed hydraulic systems, that so many clients we on-board have now turned to using one of our fully integrated hose solutions: protecting both end-users and one’s business by refraining from negligent practices.
As part of our commitment to providing safe hydraulic solutions, Kiowa is actively endorsed by, and approved, as an official member of the British Fluid Power Association. Further, all the integrated hydraulic systems we supply directly from within the Alfagomma Group are designed to meet and exceed international standards, with full ISO compliance. Further, our bespoke hose solutions are constructed by fully qualified specialists in the field, who are bound to abide by strict production parameters, monitored and directed by a highly experienced team of operational engineering leads.
With ever increasing demands for higher pressured hydraulic systems that offer both safety and longevity consult with a trusted and qualified advisor; now is the time to ensure wherever you source your hydraulic systems, that they are fully integrated, traceable, and will offer the safe operating longevity your customers desire.
