SKF Vibracon self-leveling and height adjustable chocks enable easy and accurate mounting of rotating machinery to base frames, steel foundations, or plates while eliminating Soft Foot (improper contact between a machine casing and the baseplate used to support it). Applications for rotating equipment range from industrial and marine to offshore. These mechanical chocks effectively compensate…

by Bill Hewitson, Ruland Manufacturing Co. In the design of motion control equipment, the coupling is often left as one of the last components to be specified and is often overlooked or taken for granted rather than treated as a critical part of the performance of the system. Selection of the proper coupling ensures the…

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (Freudenberg-NOK) will host two Concordia University students, along with their award-winning SAE Supermileage® vehicle, at this year’s Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars (CAR MBS) in Traverse City, Michigan. The seminars, which take place August 4 to 7 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, bring together professionals for a four-day…

Today’s precision farming equipment requires accurate and repeatable speed settings when dispensing seed and fertilizer. Zero-Max’s new VRT Infinitely Variable Ratio Transmissions provide the vital operating link between advanced control systems such as GPS (global position systems) and the mechanical dispensing mechanisms used in precision seeding machinery. In the agricultural equipment pictured, Zero-Max VRT Infinitely…

A new video from Henkel Corporation goes inside the Polaris manufacturing facility to show how the company is using Loctite® anaerobic threadlockers and retaining compounds to enhance the durability of its snowmobiles. In the video, engineers from Polaris explain why they trust Loctite® anaerobics and discuss specific applications where the adhesives are used. Polaris sleds…

To date, PM bearings could hold the shaft along one axis only. In addition they were damping. As a result, electromagnetic bearings were used. We designed (and recently applied for a US patent) a new type of PM bearing that rigidly holds the shaft in both axial and radial directions. This means that it is…

By Allan Conway, Nexen Group, Inc. A roller pinion system is a linear drive approach that combines the best features of ball screws, rack and pinion, belt drives and linear motors while eliminating many of their short comings. To meet the goals of designing machines and equipment that are faster, more precise, and require less…

Miki Pulley is introducing their BXR Spring Applied Brakes for direct sale to OEM’s in North America. The BXR safety brake may serve as an emergency brake, as well as a holding brake. Its unique, low profile design is 2/3 the thickness of other brakes in our lineup. In addition to saving space, weight is…

Johnson Electric announced a High torque motor platform for electric parking brake (EPB) systems. This new motor platform delivers the industry’s highest braking torque and longest operation cycles within a compact package. The custom EPB motors employ advanced technologies that include patented bearings, magnetic and winding patterns. These innovations can deliver 15% higher torque, 60%…

The specialist for ultrasonic welding Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc., is launching a new version of the proven HiQ DIALOG series. This machine allows achieving repeatable welds with low welding forces of 5 Newton. Smallest precision mechanical parts for i.e. medical technology or microelectronics can be welded. ‘It is difficult to achieve repeatable welding results for the…

NTN is announcing the addition of 30 new product families of differential kits for Eaton, Mack, Meritor and DANA Class 8 axles. Each kit contains the axle-specific BOWER components to perform a complete repair for the application. “Our promise is to provide premium, American-Made BOWER products that meet the exacting standards that you have come…

By Michael Jermann, Assistant Editor A project intended to develop advanced prosthetics for military amputees may ultimately eliminate the need to put military personnel at risk to begin with, if engineers at Telefactor Robotics have their way. “Robotic arms typically terminate in rigid two-fingered pinchers,” said Matt Kozlowski, vice-president of engineering at Telefactor. “We’re replacing…

Wichita Clutch has recently added the air cooled, spring-set, air released AirMaKKs SSB high torque brakes to its AquaMaKKs family of clutches and brakes. The AirMaKKs SSB is designed to provide low speed braking assistance in applications including conveyors, cranes and drawworks where they serve as a main brake that provides both parking and E-stop…

The latest version of MSR TwinDrive simplifies the mechanical transmission system on large vertical lathes. As a result, the design of turning tables is easier. The MSR drive is composed of two identical gearboxes (TwinDrive system), sharing the driving torque (50%-50%) during turning operations. With the help of the CNC system, which manages the motor…

Edited by Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor Vibration isolation and better scan size enables atomic force microscopy (AFMs) to see more at the nanoscale level. With its development in 1986, and subsequent commercial introduction in 1989, the atomic force microscope (AFM) is one of the foremost tools for imaging and measuring materials and cells on the…

by Riley Phipps, Technical and Design Services Manager, Value Plastics Inc., a Nordson Co. Because of enhanced ergonomics, lightweight and affordable designs, newer plastic quick connect tube fittings are finding their way into an increasing number of mission-critical laboratory and industrial applications, replacing traditional metal quick connects. To meet the stringent requirements for use in…

The Saint-Gobain Seals Group was recently selected to supply OmniSeal® spring-energized seals and Rulon® bearings for use in high-performance clinical chemical analyzer systems. Chemical analyzers are used in a variety of professions such as medicine and forensics and in such industries as environmental, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agricultural, consumer products, and food and beverage. In large routine…

Washdown shaft collars from Ruland help protect hygienic equipment from bacterial contamination. Washdown shaft collars feature a patent pending assembly containing a type 303 stainless steel shaft collar, a two-piece housing made from FDA compliant materials, and three O-rings with NSF H1 registered lubricant. Applications in the food processing, packaging, and medical industries benefit from…

Marland Clutch has announced the launch of their updated corporate website which provides information about their full line of both sprag and ramp and roller type backstopping and overrunning clutch products including general and special purpose clutches, backstopping clutches, modular clutch components and clutch couplings. The updated website is easy to navigate and features links…

A new line of spring-applied brakes is now available from Ogura Industrial Corporation. The new series model name is TNB. The brake is available in seven sizes ranging in torque from 35 to 445 in. lbs. The new brakes are approximately 60% thinner than the previous RNB brake series. This new thinner design was accomplished…

Stieber Clutch recently launched its new RDBK load sharing, high-speed, releasable backstop at this year’s Hannover Messe. The product features a compact design with increased torque capacity compared to conventional designs, which helps avoid the over specification of gearboxes to meet large outside diameter requirements of some backstops. In the event of a blockage, belt…

Looking at an application from a mathematical and motion control viewpoint has allowed Gloucester, U.K.-based LMS ServoTechnics (LMS) to provide the best mechanical system solution in automation systems. Doing so has also reduced cost and complexity of the mechanical set-up, while maintaining straightforward machine operator control where easily understood ‘real unit’ parameters are transformed into…

Join us for a free webinar with presenters David Kaley from Mitsubishi Electric Automation and Gregory Maloney from Iconics as they discuss some surprising ways to improve the energy efficiency of your manufacturing facility. With more attention being paid to the energy use of machines in factories as well as directives from the government for…

Here is an alternative to spring-engaged, electrically released brakes that must energize a coil to keep the brakes disengaged, which consumes energy and creates heat inside the brakes. This excess heat degrades a brake’s ability to stop and hold the load. With FMBS brakes, however, no power is consumed while they are disengaged, maximizing brake…

On June 6, 2013 Renishaw will present a manufacturing process control seminar on metrology solutions to improve machining performance and increase manufacturing process capability. The event is presented in conjunction with Okuma and software providers Prolink and Applied Automation Technologies (AAT) at Okuma’s THINC facility in Charlotte, NC. Content will focus on Renishaw’s Productive Process…