Shoplift Provides a Semimanual Lift for Shops

Josh Rader — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:48:23 -0600

The Shop Lift from A&H Engineering & Manufacturing, Cerritos, Calif. (www.ahtooling.com), can carry 600-lb loads safely and then be pushed to a machine, storage rack, or near a truck for unloading.

Flank-Drive Socket Wrench Boosts Turning Power without Slipping or Rounding

Josh Rader — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:30:45 -0600

The ¾-in. Dr. Flank Drive impact socket wrenches and combination wrenches from Snap-on Industrial, Kenosha, Wis. (www.snapon.com), deliver up to 20% more turning power, thanks to the geometry of the sockets.

3D Printing

Robert.Repas — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:54:00 -0500

Brent Denston of Stratasys demonstrates the advantages of 3D printing to MACHINE DESIGN editor Jessica Shapiro. 9:52

Self-Lube Gears Increase Reliability and Efficiency

Josh Rader — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:57:28 -0500

Dexter Magnetic Technologies, www.dextermag.com

Intech Corp., www.IntechPower.com

Slimmed-Down Magnetic-Bearing Systems Fit More Rotating Machinery Applications

Josh Rader — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:43:49 -0500

Authored by:
Victor Iannello
CEO
Synchrony Inc.
Roanoke County, Va.

Edited by Jessica Shapiro
jessica.shapiro@penton.com

Key points:
• Magnetic bearings support rotating shafts in five axes without solid or fluid lubricants.

• Advances in electronics allow previously bulky controllers to mount on or near rotating machinery.

Ceramic Bearings Save Energy, Extend Life

Josh Rader — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:38:12 -0500

Authored by:
Richard Kay, Sr.
CEO
Champion Bearings Inc.
Palm Springs, Calif.

Edited by Jessica Shapiro
jessica.shapiro@penton.com

Key points:
• Ceramic bearings do not undergo cold welding or corrode, so they don’t need oil or grease to extend operating life.

Textured vinyl pull-caps - Caplugs

Randall Rubenking — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:37 -0500

VFT vinyl pull-caps feature a textured finish to the top of the cap that allows hands, gloves, and even automated machinery 80% better part gripping, resulting in quicker removal. The caps are available in a wide variety of sizes.

Self-lubricating pillow blocks - Thomson

Randall Rubenking — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:31:25 -0500

Lube for Life linear-bearing pillow blocks use self-lubricating cartridges pressed into each end of the pillow block housing. They support linear bearings initially lubricated with EP2 grease. The Lube for Life polymer is under constant pressure against the shafting, ensuring a film of lubricant is always present between the ball bearings and the inner race.

Precision thrust ball bearings - SKF USA Inc.

Randall Rubenking — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:31:04 -0500

The BS series of super-precision, angular-contact, thrust ball bearings have static load ratings up to 245 kN, fatigue load limits up to 9.15 kN, and top speeds up to 17,000 rpm to provide axial guidance of shafts for machine-tool applications.

Geared slewing ring - igus

Randall Rubenking — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:48:20 -0500

Geared PRT slewing rings replace ball bearings and other rolling elements with sliding elements made of low-friction, self-lubricating polymer. A toothed belt mounted on the bearing’s inner or outer ring is driven by a sprocket. The ring module arrives ready to install.

Shaft Keys that Reduce Manufacturing Costs and Machine Downtime

tzura — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:56:18 -0500

Authored by:
Dennis G. Berg
CEO & Chief Engineer
Rino Mechanical Components Inc.
Freeport, N.Y.

Edited by Kenneth J. Korane
ken.korane@penton.com

Key points:
• Engineers can choose from a wide range of shaft keys to transmit torque in power-transmission systems.
• Feather keys are relatively unknown but offer durable, cost-effective designs.

Stepmotor driver - Lin Engineering

tzura — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:08:46 -0500

The R525 microstepping stepmotor driver is designed to reduce overall design time and system cost for stepmotor applications requiring high torque, power, and smooth motion.
The 3.3 × 1.3-in. driver can output up to 5 A peak current and handle up to 75 Vdc. With built-in RS-485 communication, the unit easily connects to a computer and is configured using the company’s graphical-user interface. Configurable settings include step resolution, run current, hold current, damping modes for smoother motion, and selection of sensing the step pulses on the rising edge or falling edge.

Coaxial KD 32 Planetary Gearhead Drive from Maxon is Quiet but Powerful

Josh Rader — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:31:41 -0500

The coaxial-drive (Koaxdrive) KD 32 planetary gearhead from maxon precision motors inc., Fall River, Mass. (www.maxonmotorusa.com), uses plastic planetary wheels designed to handle relatively high-torque loads (6.5 Nm) and reduce noise.

Design Considerations for Metal Injection Molding

Josh Rader — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:24:00 -0500

Metal injection molding (MIM) produces relatively small (150 to less than 30-gm), complex, net, or near-net parts which can include features such as holes, radii, logos, and text. Moreover, MIM can make such parts for half the cost of CNC machining or investment casting.

DC Motors - Your Complete DC Motor Drive Systems

Reggie Hall — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:10:46 -0500

With the largest consolidated portfolio of miniature and micro motor drive system technologies, MicroMo specializes in the design and manufacture of complex, high precision miniature and micro drive motor systems for challenging areas of application such as Medical Devices, Handling Automation, Industrial machinery and Precision Optics. MicroMo provides engineers with the information they need to specify or purchase electric motors including DC Motors, Coreless DC Motors, Flat Coreless DC Motors, and High Power PMDC Motors.

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