Comparing thin-walled plastic bushings and thick-walled bronze bushings

Jared Rader — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:26:54 -0600

Authored by:
Tom Miller
Bearings Unit Manager, North America
igus Inc.
East Providence, R. I.
Edited by Kenneth J. Korane
ken.korane@penton.com
Key points:
• Wall thickness does not directly correlate to a bushing’s strength.
• Thinner bushings better dissipate heat, which is a leading cause of accelerated wear.

Mandating innovation

Jared Rader — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:44:09 -0600

Been following the cellulosic ethanol fiasco? In a nutshell, Congress passed a law five years ago mandating that oil companies blend cellulosic fuel into gasoline. That’s the biofuel made from switchgrass, corn cobs, wood chips, and other plant waste.

Death knell for lead-acid batteries

Jared Rader — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:59:16 -0600

In historical terms, the death of the flint tool, cooking by dung, and other bygone technologies occurred rapidly because several factors conspired to bring in better alternatives. So it is with lead-acid batteries.

Waterjets are mainstream for engineering students

Jared Rader — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:40:51 -0600

Resources:
Omax Corp.
University of British Columbia

Talk to most any manufacturer and a common complaint is that recent engineering grads don’t have practical, hands-on experience — especially when it comes to manufacturing.

An inside look at planetary gears

Jared Rader — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:08:58 -0600

Authored by:
Howard Horn
Product Manager
Thomson Industries Inc.
Wood Dale, Ill.
Edited by Kenneth J. Korane
ken.korane@penton.com
Key points:
• Planetary units with helical gears, rather than spur gears, have higher torque capacity and run quieter.
• Different manufacturers measure and rate backlash in different ways.

How piston-rod coatings affect hydraulic seals

Jared Rader — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:37:50 -0600

Authored by:
Thomas Papatheodorou
Manager Technical Services
Parker Seal Group
Packing Division Europe
Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany

Versatile drive speeds design

Jared Rader — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:02:02 -0600

Resources:
Festo

The ELGA-TB-G electric toothed-belt actuator reportedly frees OEMs from the cost and hassle of designing their own linear actuators. And its complementary engineering software ensures units are sized accurately and get up-and-running quickly, according to officials at Festo, Hauppauge, N. Y.

Testing firm rates industrial components

Jared Rader — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:56:31 -0600

When consumers want unbiased advice on big-ticket items such as cars, washing machines, and laptops, they often turn to Consumer Reports to see how different brands stack up. Until now, there was no equivalent testing and rating organization for industrial components.

Suction cups lift almost anything

Jared Rader — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:55:25 -0500

Authored by:
Justin Katz
Applications Engineer
Schmalz Inc.
Raleigh, N. C.
Edited by Kenneth J. Korane
ken.korane@penton.com
Key points:
• Flat pads, for flat or slightly curved parts, offer quick evacuation and good stability.
• Bellows pads adapt well to curved or uneven workpieces.

Self-adjusting air cushions let machines run smoother and faster

Jared Rader — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:32:04 -0500

Authored by:
Michael Guelker
Product Manager, Pneumatic Actuators
Festo USA
Hauppauge, N. Y.
Edited by Kenneth J. Korane
ken.korane@penton.com
Key points:
• High machine speeds can lead to damaging vibration and impact loads.
• Conventional pneumatic-cylinder cushions prevent end-of-stroke impacts, but require painstaking adjustment.

More articles by Kenneth J. Korane