Hybrid vehicles have been regarded as precursors of all-electric cars. But battery costs and limited vehicle range may have caused some automakers to hedge their bets on electric vehicles (EVs). Audi and its VW parent, seeing only small urban cars and specialty sports models as viable electric platforms, are heavily into hybrids. They are also developing plug-in hybrids and "range enhanced" EVs which, like Chevy's Volt, have a small internal combustion generator on board. However, as discussed in this video, Renault-Nissan is going full-tilt and looking at four all-electric vehicles, one of which targets 400 km (249 miles) between recharges.

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Motor & Gear keeps the highest U.S. based inventory of Flender Gear parts on hand for quick assembly and turnaround of all standard sizes. Our technicians assemble all units in our forced air clean room to minimize particle contamination of gearing, and all units are 100% quality tested before delivery.

Whether you have an existing belt application you would like to make improvements to or you have a new design in mind, F.N. Sheppard would like to assist you. With an unlimited number of options, there is great flexibility in creating what you need for your particular application.

A tutorial on selecting the best gearbox technology for a given application emphasizes torque requirements along with operational considerations — such as packaging, duty cycle, noise, maintenance, and lifetime. Features and benefits of available gearbox configurations are reviewed, noting that careful matching to load requirements is key to obtaining optimum efficiency.

Surface anomalies on heat-treated gears are more than an aesthetic issue and can lead to metal degradation. The problem results after outside vendor treatment if gears are further processed without media-blasting to remove residual corrosion or discoloration. If the gears are vacuum heat treated, they may be much cleaner, with no blasting required.

Martini lovers rejoice! Rydell's P40 conveyor belts are designed to handle "vulnerable" olives and other easily damaged produce. Longitudinal V-guides keep product from falling off belt edges while a granulated surface on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved PVC belt prevents olives from sticking, ensuring more are delivered onto the loading area, and eventually to your glass.

U.S. Tsubaki's Attachment Chain Configurator for conveyor and packaging machines automates a conventional but error-prone manual process. Design engineers can select size, pitch, type, and material of standard or special chains and use repeating sections and attachments. The final configuration is previewed on screen for review before a 2D or 3D CAD file is downloaded.

Gearing Solutions® gearheads have been designed around the NEMA 56C face, and will change motor output speeds without altering the configuration. Recently redesigned, our 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1 ratios are now 50% shorter, and extend only 2.776 in. from the motor face. They are quick and easy to install, lightweight, and efficient.

The ever growing trend to miniaturization is no small detail to ignore. As electronic components in both industrial, medical, and consumer devices, and products continue to become smaller and more portable, the demand for small scale power transmission mechanical components continues to grow. Learn more about Custom Micro Gears from Kleiss Gears, Inc.

A Thomson Industries application note indicates a wrap-spring clutch/brake can offer advantages over the more often considered electromechanical friction types. Video touts the compact packaging of a spring wrapped around a split shaft, the greater torque that can be transmitted, and lower system cost. Three steps for optimal unit selection are outlined.

Magnetic transmissions, with no "physical" contact coupling the gears, now have large enough motor/gear ratio combinations to allow use as wheel hub motors for buses and trucks. The UK's Magnomatics Pseudo Direct Drive demonstrator has continuous rated power of 65 kW and 2,000 Nm continuous torque at 300 rpm.

In an ideal world, electric vehicles would leapfrog hybrid powertrains as the most environmentally friendly. But the transition to such all-electric vehicles, at least those powered by batteries, could require a new mindset on the part of drivers. Here are the driving experiences of one engineer/journalist with the charging regimen of the Nissan Leaf.

Caterpillar's 374D excavator has both stronger horsepower and hydraulics compared to the previous C model. The engine's torque characteristics provide full power at maximum rpm, resulting in efficient hydraulic pump operation and improved control response. The hydraulics feature a 10% boost in flow and 9% gain in pressure.

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Accurately forecasting the cost of projects is vital to the survival of any business. The Berg Estimating Dept. is a "one-stop-shop" for your specialty needs. Be it a custom part or just a modified standard catalog item, the Estimating dept will respond to your request. Learn more.

Stainless steel right angle gearboxes for demanding applications. Corrosion resistant and very rugged. Can be used in wet, hostile or sterile environments. Widest selection of models and bore sizes based on 1.0, 1.5, and 2.5 in. center line bore dimensions. Metric bore sizes too. Contact W.C. Branham today!

Oil-less slide bearing is especially applied in oil-free high temperature/load, low speed, contamination/corruption/radiation resistance, etc. for such special work conditions as in the water or being soaked by vacuum solution that cannot add lubricant oil film.

This bearing is widely applied in metallurgy and steel-rolling equipment.

Several key specifications for Planetary Gearbox MGH series are:

•  NEMA23 standard configuration for installation
•  All powerdermilled gears for higher strength
•  Maximum Input Speed: 4000 rpm
•  Operating temperature range: -17 C to +120 C

Exmek Electric is the professional manufacturer of a wide range of DC and stepper motors in mainland China.

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Events are open to GlobalSpec's six million registered users and are an opportunity for you and your company to be viewed by your target audience, competition, and peers as industry thought leaders. Increase brand awareness. Influence key decision-makers. Learn more or submit your proposal here.

To maximize benefit from the growing economy, develop differentiated products that provide benefits customers crave — products they can't get anywhere else at comparable cost. Dan Adams stresses in his book, Product Blueprinting, that most competitors approach product development with a supplier-centric mentality by developing products based on what they think customers need. Instead, suppliers should use a customer-centric view, focusing on what customers know they need.

You probably didn't know there is a Speed Parts Hall of Fame, nor were you likely aware of the latest inductees for the "most significant, game-changing aftermarket performance parts of all time." The newest honorees include B&M's 1953 Hydro Stick 4-speed automatic racing transmission, Ardun's hemispherical cylinder heads, Holley's Dominator carburetor, Moon Discs, and Hooker Super Competition Headers. Tach it up, buddy!

Range Anxiety, the Bane of EVs?

Does fully-electric vehicle deployment leapfrog widespread acceptance of battery-based electric cars until fuel cell power becomes practical?