Whether it’s a new space laboratory at Vienna Airport, interactive test centers for propulsion technology from Parker and Lee, or XXL-sized hydraulic cylinders from Weber-Hydraulik: the fluid technology industry is investing in research and development. Here’s an overview of five news items.
The centerpiece of the Parker Center for Drive and Control Technology in Offenbach is the exhibition area.
(Source: Parker Hannifin)
Space Exploration: Research Lab for Start-ups at Vienna Airport
The Space Factory was officially opened at the ESA Phi-Lab Austria.
(Source: Vienna Airport)
A space research facility has opened at Vienna International Airport: the Space Factory. It is part of ESA Phi-Lab Austria. The new center is aimed at startups and research institutions. It offers them modern, professional infrastructure. This is intended to make it easier for them to develop technologies for space exploration and other high-tech fields.
Busch Austria GmbH is supporting the initiative with a vacuum system that simulates space conditions, thereby enabling the development and validation of new products under realistic operating conditions. The system consists of a vacuum chamber, a Hipace series turbomolecular vacuum pump, a Hiscroll series scroll pump, and measurement and control technology. The combination of these components enables the creation of high-vacuum conditions.
Weber-Hydraulik Manufactures Hydraulic Cylinders with an Inner Diameter of Up to 300 mm
Production: Weber-Hydraulik has expanded its R&D and production capabilities and now also manufactures larger hydraulic cylinders.
(Source: Weber Hydraulics)
Weber-Hydraulik GmbH has expanded its development and manufacturing capabilities in the field of hydraulic cylinders: The company now also produces large-diameter cylinders for high-performance applications at its Güglingen facility. Originally, production was designed for inner diameters up to 160 millimeters. Since 2018, the company has gradually developed larger sizes, industrialized them, and transitioned them to series production. Currently, the company manufactures hydraulic cylinders with inner diameters of up to 300 millimeters (11.8 inches). Depending on the design and application, the possible outer diameters can be significantly larger. With this strategic decision, the manufacturer is responding to increasing demands, particularly in the field of heavy machinery and high-load systems.
Larger cylinder diameters allow for higher forces, thereby expanding the range of applications for hydraulic solutions. However, they also place higher demands on design and manufacturing. These include, among other things, an adapted selection of materials, specifically designed sealing concepts, and advanced testing procedures. More complex simulation and calculation processes are necessary to design and validate these cylinders. “Our gradual expansion has enabled us to build up specific expertise in a targeted manner and, today, to produce even sophisticated cylinders in larger sizes cost-effectively and to the required quality standards,” reports Michael Ungar, Segment Manager for Cranes & Construction.
Lee Is Expanding its Production Capacity and Opening a New Innovation Center in the U.S.
Jeff Dickey (Executive Vice President of Hydraulics), Bill Lee (Chairman), Marietta Lee (CEO and President), and Thomas Frosell (Vice President of Innovation) cut the red ribbon together at the opening of the development center.
(Source: Lee)
The Lee Company is expanding its production capacity in the U.S. The company is acquiring a production facility of approximately 3,250 square meters in Connecticut, as well as a production facility with approximately 7,900 square meters of floor space in South Carolina. The company is thus positioning itself to meet rising demand in international markets. In addition, the goal is to accelerate the market launch of new products and technologies. “Demand for our miniature fluid control solutions is growing steadily. The additional production space increases our operational flexibility,” explains Marietta Lee, CEO of The Lee Company. In Germany, the company is represented by its subsidiary, Lee Hydraulische Miniaturkomponenten GmbH, based in Sulzbach im Taunus.
The company also opened a new innovation center at its headquarters in Westbrook, Connecticut, USA. At the facility, which spans more than 2,500 square meters, new areas of application are explored, prototypes are tested, and miniature fluid control solutions are developed for the key markets of aerospace, automotive, medical and diagnostic technology, and mechanical engineering.
Parker Opens Interactive Test Center for Drive and Control Technologies
The new center is located near Parker's Offenbach facility, which houses Parker's Electric Motion and Pneumatic Europe division.
(Source: Parker Hannifin)
On September 15, 2026, Parker Hannifin opened the Motion Systems Experience Center in Offenburg, Germany. At the center, users and sales partners can test, compare, and specify drive and control technologies. Together with Parker’s experts, they can conduct live demonstrations, present their own machine applications in technical workshops, and try out the products themselves in a dedicated training area. This allows them to comprehensively evaluate the technologies and finalize specifications in a single visit.
Date: 08.12.2025
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The heart of the center is the exhibition area, which showcases Parker’s current portfolio for industrial and mobile applications. The center also features training and conference rooms, as well as an area for hands-on product training. “The Parker Motion Systems Experience Center in Offenburg will bring together Parker’s customers, partners, and experts to collaborate more closely, explore applications in detail, and develop customized solutions based on Parker’s core products,” says Ulrich Jochem, Vice President of Operations at Parker’s Motion Systems Group EMEA.
Andrew Chew Appointed Visiting Professor of Physics at King’s College London
Andrew Chew is now a visiting professor at King's College London.
(Source: Edwards)
Andrew Chew, a senior scientist in the Vacuum Research Department at Edwards, a company of the Atlas Copco Group, has been appointed visiting professor of physics at King’s College London. The appointment was made by the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering in recognition of his international leadership in vacuum research, his contributions to the Department of Physics, and his ongoing commitment to the university as a whole. The joint projects at the university focus on developments in the field of vacuum technologies. This is the first visiting professorship the department has awarded in ten years. King’s College London is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in England.
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