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Simplifying Turbine Gearboxes
Wind turbines are getting bigger. Yet the gearboxes that transform main shaft rotational speed into higher speeds for power generation must remain compact and uncomplicated. A modular system uses cylindrical roller bearings fitted into planetary gears to help reduce part diversity and simplify overall designs.
If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter DirectU2 The world of Alternative Power.
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High Temp Self-lube Bearings
If you feel pressed to give up self-lubrication properties and wear resistance to achieve heat resistance, these mechanical bearing and thrust washers might help. Components are treated with an inhibitor to increase oxidation resistance (two grades for operation up to 1100° F), without sacrificing longer life properties.
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Simplifying Color Evaluation
This kit automates color identification outside the human visual spectrum. It uses a programmable light-to-frequency converter and 64 configurable silicon photodiodes to recognize color over a 300 to 1100 nm wavelength. Applications include pharmaceutical pill sorting, cosmetic manufacturing, and paper color detection in office machines.
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Vibration Testing Goes Virtual
Converging mechanical and electronic worlds reinvent even classic engineering tests. Physical testing still plays a key role, but computer simulation has a bigger role than ever. This article looks at how virtual shaker tables can check structural integrity and durability, nondestructively, long before hard design decisions are concluded.
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Off-highway and Mobile Equipment Brakes
Orttech, Inc.
Ortlinghaus fail-safe brakes deliver excellent results in tough environments including mining, construction, and agriculture. These totally enclosed units provide high braking torques (1,000,000 lb.-ins.) in very compact sizes in both wet and dry configurations. They offer maximum design flexibility plus maximum safety for your equipment and your operators!
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Versatile Deep Draw Metal Stampings
Engineered Component Solutions, LLC
ECS provides stainless steel deep drawn valve and body housings for high reliable vacuum pumps. Critical tolerances (+/- .002) can be achieved to accomodate laser welding mating precision-machined components. Our deep draw process can also be used with medical component materials like titanium, hastelloy, stainless, and aluminum for cost savings versus typical machined parts.
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Ultra-precision Motion Web Site Updated
Nelson Air Corp.
Nelson Air Corp. is announcing a major update to their Web site with new product information and additional application examples. Products include ultra-precision linear air bearing stages, rotary air bearing tables, air bearing spindles, spherical and flat pad air bearings. Check the Web site for product datasheets, manuals, and 3D solid models.
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Adjustable Spacer — Precision Metal Ring
Temper Corporation
Temper Load Rings provide a simple and easy solution for adjusting industry standard and custom bearings including tapered rolling bearings, ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, and others. Installation is quick and accurate using standard tools, gages, or automated assembly equipment; all of which are provided by Temper Corporation.
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The Long and Short of Fiber Parts
Car and boat part makers try to use long fiber composites to replace time-consuming hand-layup. One injection process producing parts for this summer's watercraft robotically mixes chopped glass and polyurethane and dispenses it into the mold cavity. It can also produce nearly vertical walls and walls with varied thicknesses.
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Resin Improves Plastic-Metal Mating
The trend in component design is smaller and lighter. This is true in consumer and medical electronics where the thinner parts push plastic materials to their limits. This article discusses plastic-metal hybrids that retain rigidity, and polycarbonate resins that reduce thermal stresses and address expansion-contraction concerns in metal insert molding.
For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter DirectU2 The world of Medical Equipment Design.
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Thoughts on Precision Couplings
You can't get precision positioning without precise components. While engineering systems for optical-inspection or machine vision, the mechanical coupling is often overlooked. This review covers options for zero-backlash couplings (bellows, disc, and curved-jaw), accuracy and repeatability, and balancing between damping and rigidity.
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Sealing the Deal for Custom Design
Shaft seals in rotary equipment can create friction and stiction, dulling performance and efficiency. Modest improvements might offer savings, but off-the-shelf solutions are numerous. Consider partnering. One supplier offers custom design, addressing factors such as lip geometry, materials, radial forces, and operating environments.
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Bronze Bushings and Bearings
Diversified Bronze & Manufacturing, LLC
Manufacturer of bronze bushings and bearings. Products include powdered metal sleeve and flange bearings, thrust washers, wear plates, solid and cored bar stock. Also finish machined parts to print. Materials include self-lubricating bronze [SAE 841], [SAE 863], and [SAE 850]. Also cast bronze alloys SAE 660, CDA 932, aluminum bronze CDA 954, and manganese bronze CDA 863.
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Parts as Small as a Human Hair
American Swiss Products Co., Inc.
American Swiss Products provides custom precision screw machine components and specializes in diameters 1 in. or less. We currently provide parts the diameter of human hair. We work in a variety of materials including, titanium, stainless, plastic, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and brass. Exceptional products and service are the foundation of American Swiss.
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Reduce Costs to Your Customers
Siemens PLM Software — Velocity Series
How do we turn customer demands to reduce costs into products that increase value? The Siemens answer: PLM Software for small businesses to slash material cost by 40%
• Slash engineering change orders by 40%
• Save 30% in physical prototyping costs
Test your ability here to respond to customer demands. |
Wide Range Temperature, Pressure, and Fluid Resistant Hydraulic Cylinder Sealing Systems
Simrit-Division of Freudenberg-NOK
Increasing industry challenges — including temperature resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and bio-friendly fluid compatibility — continue to drive demands for better performing seal designs and materials. Simrit's new materials — NOK U641 and NOK UH05 urethane, and G928 HNBR — will be presented at IFPE booth # S-14005. Come visit us to speak with our experts!
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Careers & Commentary . . . | |
Keys for Success in an Uncertain Global Engineering Market
ASME
The 2009 ASME Annual Meeting improves your company's ability to get results in today's uncertain global engineering market! Bolster professional credentials and get strategies and techniques that you can use immediately.
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Busting the Myths of Moving Up
We might be planning our climb up the career ladder following false leads, according to this commentary in Mechanical Engineering. We might also turn our backs on where success might be. Engineers preparing for promotions and managers considering management candidates make the same errors. Pause and review the five myths of achieving career success, as well as the skills most likely to lead to success.
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Space Age Meets Internet Age
Before complaining about slow uploads the next time you're online, consider that transmissions from Mars can take 20 minutes. And that is with information packets moving at light speed. NASA developed a network modeled on the Internet, but more disruption-tolerant; a requirement to make it viable in space. Recently, they transmitted the first images between earth and a spacecraft 20 million miles away.
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Share Your Thoughts . . . About This Month's Topic
Future Shock: Are We There Yet?
Alvin Toffler forecast that technological change would doom us if we fail to control it. DNA mapping, nanotechnology, and cloning are here. Is technology beginning to control us? Have computers and the Internet helped us stay ahead?
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