Over thirty years as a hydraulic designer and manufacturer, what processes have we found to be winners?

1. Thermal deburring.  I can understand why some big OEM’s insist on it. It is never an excuse not to deburr properly, but thermal deburring gives that extra comfort if used as it is meant. Make sure that you are finishing the components in some way or ultrasonically cleaning to remove the powder residue. Although it is a marvellous process, it cannot perform miracles and burn up a massive lump of swarf that somebody has left in a passage. And what is more, they are nice people. www.deburr.co.uk

2. Nitrotec. Whether for enhanced wear characteristics on carbon steel or even a decorative finish, we reckon this can be a winner. Very widely used now for good reason. Just make sure that you carefully check the hardness that can be achieved on your substrate if you are moving away from hard chrome plating. Yet more nice people. www.nitrotec.org.uk

3. Aluminium extrusion sawn up on a TCT saw. When you look around, it is used everywhere. Provided you can take the punt on the tonnage of extrusion and think carefully about the risks of a design changing, it is a very cost effective process. We have always used Sapa, but the world is full of people selling extrusions from anywhere in the world. Make sure you establish ownership of the die. I always put the die number on the extrusion drawing. www.sapagroup.com