The science of modern hydraulics actually began with water hydraulics some 200 years ago and the Elwood Company is one of the few component manufacturers still in existence today which is able to trace its origins right back to those early days.
In 1803, less than a decade after Joseph Bramah ushered in the era of modern hydraulics by patenting the first hydrostatic press, the R D Wood & Griffin Pipe Companies were established, manufacturing water valves and pipes. The Charles Elmes Engineering Works, which became the Elmes Press & Valve Company, was founded in 1851 and manufactured water valves, systems and presses.
These two companies existed independently until the early 1960’s when they were purchased by the Nordberg Heavy Machinery Group of Milwaukee. Nordberg combined and expanded both product lines. New developments centered around the, at that time, new poppet valve technology and the extension of the spindle valve range. In 1972, the company Rex Chainbelt bought Nordberg Machinery Group, changing its name to Rexnord. Finally, in 1983, the Elwood Electronics Company purchased the Hydraulic Products Division of Rexnord, which subsequently became the Fluid Power Group of the Elwood Corporation.
At Elwood, we are very conscious of our heritage. Even today there is an occasional repair or parts inquiry for one of the old R D Wood valves. Now, as then, quality and robustness, and attention to the customer’s needs are prime considerations.
The Elwood Corporation is located south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Known as the Workshop of America, this area contains the heaviest concentration of specialist metal machining and processing industries in the United States, and provides almost all of the specialty needs of the Elwood product range right on our doorstep. Much of the American oil hydraulics industry can be found in this area too.
The Elwood Product line is designed for service on the HFA fluids (soluble oils, other water-based and Iow viscosity fluids) as well as water itself. The internal parts of valves are of stainless steel (heat treated where appropriate) and feature Viton seals and drop tight sealing designs. The key to increased performance and equipment reliability lies in this drop tight seal. The high flow velocities and contaminated fluids often found in water hydraulics systems are fatal for components with internal leaks. The resultant long service life is the main reason for our success in the harsh heavy industrial environment. Our success in the newer environmentally driven industries is due first of course to the fluid water itself, and secondly to the high level of control (for example 50 Hz servo technology) which we can offer for more sophisticated applications.
Elwood is a family owned business which continues to flourish and expand in the world market. Elwood’s highly talented professional staff utilizes the latest in design technology to provide customers with the finest products available. Elwood products are world leaders and are covered by numerous US and foreign patents. Over the last 10 years, domestic and overseas sales have continued to grow on an annual basis, confirming our investment in modern water hydraulics.
