Drawing a hydraulic circuit and working out the sizes for pumps, valves and actuator are very important but not the beginning and end all. Just as important is where the equipment will be used and the environmental implications of the design.
Foundries and steel mills can be very dirty places and also not a place where you want a hose to burst, spraying hydraulic oil across molten metal.
Any system close to the sea, on a boat or oil rig will suffer from high levels of corrosion. Maybe you should be thinking of stainless steel pipe-work or epoxy painted surfaces. Also boats and mobile equipment might prefer smaller oil reservoirs and closed circuit pumps.
The yacht enthusiast are very concerned about weight, again watch out for large oil tanks.
Consider special materials, titanium, aluminium and carbon fibre and it might even be that the system must be able to work upside down without spillage!
Mobile equipment often needs to be light. Rams might have to be smaller with higher pressure to achieve the same forces..
Many industries like heavy duty, robust equipment that can be abused. Watch out for vulnerable components like electronic instruments. (Transducers can be fitted inside the rams)
Hydraulics used in some environments must not spill mineral oil onto water or the soil. Consider synthetic environmental friendly oils.
There are some applications where noise is a problem. Film sets and close proximity to public places that are very sensitive noise. Using quieter pumps, hydraulic hose, accumulators and attenuators might be an option.
If you are designing a system to be used in a hot environment with very high ambient temperature or humidity. Sometimes water cooling is just NOT an option.
In summary, I am saying that there are many different levels of a hydraulic design and they all have equal importance. The environment can be crucial to the success or failure of your design. Ignore it at your peril!.
I would love to hear about your views or any stories you might have where the environment was a major issue.
Cheers
Bob
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